There is also a shop in my neighborhood, probably larger than your friend's, which is similar. It's called Waterfront Bicycle Shop, on West St near Christopher St. He sells accessories, rents bikes, and does repairs. He doesn't sell new bikes. He's been there a few years, and he has staff, so I guess he's doing OK.

It's true that my perspective might be skewed from taking apart AW hubs that haven't been serviced in decades and finding old hardened grease and varnish left on bearing races. I don't really know how long fresh grease will protect wheel bearings or the inner workings of an IG hub.One thing I can say with certainty is that oil added to an AW hub will tend to spread all around, even to the wheel bearings. If you don't add much, like maybe 10 ML, it will keep things lubricated and not leak enough to cause anything more than some seeping around the cones and oil port.

Right. I don't think the seepage or leaking would be significant and any sort of problem except in the one case I read about, where there's a brake disc and oil from inside the hub seeped past the seals onto the disc. Even then, maybe whoever oiled the hub just used too much oil.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e99ff3fe84.jpg
Did things change that much with the forum upgrade.

I don't know much about Rivs, so if they come up, I will be lurking.

My Scorcher
 

I have been wanting to build up a scorcher for a while so when a 23" frame 1972 Raleigh Sport showed up at the Bike Exchange last week I had to take it home and have my way with it. As you all may know I like painting bikes and I thought this grungy looking black beast would look good in British racing green with tan sidewalls but the more I looked at the crude and weathered black paint and all the license stickers the more I decided I liked it better looking like it had seen some action. Actually, apart from a loose head set and bottom bracket everything was pretty good. There wasn't any real rust on the frame and the steel wheels were only slightly pitted. I stripped it down and cleaned all the grease and dirt off the frame and polished the rims with aluminum foil. I flipped the original bars and put on an aluminum SR stem. The pedals were swapped for some steel Lyotards and the seat for a light weight racing saddle. I dumped the fenders, kick stand,https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d7cfc276dc.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd3ef8fa08.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6f9e68be1.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49dcd26189.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5bff002e02.jpg
and chain guard and added a Pletcher rack in the back. I also changed the stock 20 tooth cog in the rear for a 24 tooth to give it a chance to climb hills.
That's it . When I weighed it it came to just 31 lbs. Down from 35.5 when I started. I could probably drop a few more if I fitted an aluminum front wheel. I will keep an eye out for one at the shop.

Nice! A proper scorcher. I agree, the been around a long time look looks great on this bike. Now you'll have to find another tall frame Sports with a crummy finish you won't mind refinishing to build a British racing green scorcher :thumb:

Nice project and a quick turnaround.
If it was mine, I'd loose the rat trap.

I'm considering picking up a mid-'70s Raleigh Sports or DL-1. I was just curious about how the two compare for longer rides, and also what the weight difference is between the two (roughly)? Thanks!

Great find, especially as the larger frame sizes seem to come around a lot less often than the smaller. Finding a pair of steel or alloy pedals for mine is one of the next tasks. I'm just coming off my weekend (Wednesdays and Thursdays) when all I used were the new Rudge for some fast ("fast") loop riding in the neighboring park and the step thru Sports for the daily getting around tasks (supermarket, movie, post office, bank, kibbitzing at the LBS). For the latter I don't think a more perfect machine has been devised.

My DL-1 must weigh 5 or 6 pounds more than my Sports. It also has wider ( 1 1/2" ) tires. The DL-1 also has rear forks instead of dropouts that makes removing the rear wheel much more difficult. It also has rod brakes that can work OK but are much more difficult to set up. That said, I love riding my DL-1. There's nothing else quite like it, very smooth and elegant, but it's even less "normal" than a Sports. The Sports will roll easier and has quicker steering but it doesn't handle uneven road surfaces, bumps or sand nearly as well.

I've been using these MKS Sylvan touring pedals. Very pleased with them.
MKS Sylvan

Gotta love the MKS!
Seems that all of their pedals are good.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ac3091e666.jpg


Here's a nice pair on Amazon.ca
for $200.00 + shipping!
I buy these locally for $25.00 (CDN) !

For longer distances and all purpose riding I would always choose my Sports first. The DL1 is heavy, long and a little "noodlely" all which contribute to its unique vintage feel and smooth ride. The wheels are noticeably heavier and carry more momentum. No other bike I've ridden feels exactly like it. That said the Sports feels quicker, lighter and more maneuverable. I am lucky to have one of each! My DL1 (Sir Wayes A. Tonne) enters the ring around 48lbs and the Robin Hood drop bar Sports is around 33lbs.https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f595a97a3e.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...104e48f7ea.jpg

Nice photos and summary.
I would opt for the Sports model as an everyday bike.
Here's another Toronto Kijiji bike.
Modified British 3 speed with the somewhat rare throttle shifter (circa 1967) on the top tube.
Seller is asking $350. but I suspect that he's got some $$ tied up in this project.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d02595e37b.jpghttps://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12daa8fc1a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37d443762f.jpg

As you can see, I'm having some problems with this new format.
Speaking of new formats I had a brand new VW Tiguan for awhile (rental)
I've been driving cars for 40 years.. I had to look in the manual to figure out how to
open the gas flap.
I had the car for 3 months and still didn't know how to work the radio (media console).
I'm actually quite good with computers and stuff. I just dislike change for the sake of change.

I finally got a proper saddlebag for my LTD-3, now I feel quite ready for the 3-speed tour.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...77a6ee60c3.jpg

+1 Very classy

The comments about the DL-1 ride being unique are spot-on. Nothing rides exactly like a DL-1 or similar roadster. Some people don't like the handling, others love it. You get a squishier, slower feel out of an American balloon tire bike, and you get a nimbler and snappier feel out of a Sports light roadster. The DL-1 is its own animal.

This has to be a relatively frequently asked question but I just don't get the search system here on bike forums . Can anyone recommend a rear rack for a Tourist that would be both practical and a good match for the appearance? It's a 1980 so I'm not trying to go over board on recreating classic.

Thanks

[MENTION=298130]browngw[/MENTION] and [MENTION=398265]BigChief[/MENTION]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll be saving up for a DL-1 or comparable full roadster sooner rather than later. I'm really excited to try out such a bicycle. The only thing I've had that came close were American balloon-tire cruisers with full complements of accessories, but the idea of having a more slender, taller wheel set and generally better-quality construction seems like it will make a big difference. Cheers!

-Gregory

[MENTION=215876]erileykc[/MENTION] The DL-1 Tourist was a classic right to the bitter end in 1980. Unfortunately, it's tough to find parts for them. There's one place that makes custom rear carriers for them, but they're hand made so I don't expect they will be inexpensive
DL-1 rack

Don't forget to get back to us with some pictures when you do.

Some 200 odd pages back :) someone posted pics of their DL-1 project, and they'd managed to find locally (US) one of these racks
Looked really good and was a good fit.

Another local Toronto bike for sale.
A CCM Galaxie 3 Speed
Reasonably priced at $95.00 OBO.
Probably from 1969/70.
Could be a nice project for someone other than me...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e09113a0c.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a7dcf9a636.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3406ece779.jpg

Go to craigslist and do a saved search for Raleigh Tourist
If one pops up you'll get a notification
Tip:
Also search for Raliegh Tourist as people often
mis-spell Raleigh.
I found a very nice Superbe that way....

You're right. I have a pair on one bike and I've been dumb to experiment with anything else. Not expensive and easy to service.

!!!

Wherever you go I hope there's a pub.