I'd try to separate the Sprite from the lot. Hate those pedals, though. The shifters should go, too.

EDIT: That late '60s sport looks good, too. I'm a little surprised by the shift cable routing--that how my wife's Lady's model is routed.

That's the third triple cog Sports that's showed up here recently. Funny how that happens. Nice bike. Tall frame too. Looks all good to me even at $200.

Da-yum

I've always liked those gold bikes.

Looks almost original except the stem and maybe the tires. Great price for a clean survivor!

Maybe the shifter cable was re routed that way to clear the wire baskets. Hard to tell in the photo. I don't think Raleigh routed gents models that way until later in the 70s.

This frame may go back to the curb...https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e5bfe1206.jpgThe stem is firmly rusted in place.
It looks like the previous owner actually destroyed/ripped the bar clamp off
trying to free it up.
I'll give it a chance but
I'm not spending too much time on this.
I've never had a frozen stem before...

Well, it's still a good tall frame. you might be able to saw it off.

Agreed.

Had a closer look.
Forks are bent/askew
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8da5ee63cf.jpg
The frame looks off as well.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...414c615664.jpg
Hard to see in the photo.
There's also a dent in the rear stay
I'll just salvage the post and BB and put it back out.

Don't forget the steering races. They look pretty good, at least in the photo.

Do you think this wheel is salvageable?
 

Hi all,

I've kept mostly everything from the '79 donor Sports, a long with the front wheel. Since my '50 Suberbe lost its front wheel somehow along the way, I thought of cleaning up this guy and using it. The hub feels good - probably just needs fresh bearings and grease. However the rust gives me pause. See photos where I've cleaned a bit. Is it worth it? The nipples are in decent shape. I haven't found any soft spots. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2aa806a30b.jpghttps://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6ddf86bcee.jpg

I would use that wheel until a better one came along. Preferably a 32H. Or someday, swap out both rims for CR-18 alloys. The 590mm CR-18s come in 40H and 32H. I always liked the look of the 40/32 wheels on the old roadsters. Looks balanced to me.

Yes, also salvaged.

I agree (again) with BC.
Keep it for now.
Looks like a lot of work to clean the rust but
the wheel could be a place holder until a better
one comes along.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...59412c64cc.jpg

I just today found this ‘46. I have a ‘72, and several DL-1’s. I have always enjoyed the “Sports” for everyday actual riding.

This has a lot going for it. Great find! Original finish, shifter, cloth cable housings, early type one piece shifter cable stop, original black cable clips, rims, stainless spokes, complete chain case, original SA headlamp. (can't see if the tail light is there) original double quill pedals. I wonder f the rubber blocks were changed at some point, hard to say. Outside of a fork thimble and grips this looks to be all there and in good shape. You hit a home run on this one. The shifter looks like it might be bent and rusty (need better pics) but don't give up on it if it is. They can be restored. Great bike.

Looks to be a Dyno Hub up front as well? :thumb:

Wow. Great find.

If you only needed one English roadster, that could be it. A Lucas King of the Road (?) bell is icing on the cake.

I went and had a gander at Ebay for one of those to provide the finishing touch to my 1950 Superbe Sports. They are not cheap, but do they provide that perfect sound?

They've got that quintessential loud 'da-ding, da-dong' with one sweep of the thumb. The big 3 inch brass plated model has a big clear ring that sustains, I like it a lot, I think it's called a chalice bell?

The other Lucas bells have a "brring-brring" sound and a different mechanism. More typical of most bells. Still nice.

Oddly, the Chinese Flying Pigeon often came equipped with an exact replica of the 3" chalice bell. Identical to the Lucas in every way, even build quality. I sold an NIB Lucas for $100 years ago but I've still got the Chinese knock-off in the stash. Perhaps it's a Phoenix, not a Pigeon.

I have an old SOTAM bell that sounds like the Ice Cream Man is coming...
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2dcfc7fc82.jpg

I’m putting my 1974 Superbe back together and I noticed that the top headset cup pops into place without a headset press. The bottom did need to be pressed into place. It is tight but still rotates a bit. It does look like it was reamed at some point.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...59a5cbef65.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1c0ef0362a.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4cfb238b6.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6a0685f3cd.jpg

I can't see that being a problem.
Once assembled, everything is locked together .