I put in a few miles on this Raleigh Tourist on a suitably English afternoon over Labor Day weekend. I was surprised to learn that it was (primarily? only?) a 1970s model. The mechanics of the bike seemed older to me.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=340209

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=340210

I don't think I have ever posted this one.
Ed

Actually,they really are a timeless classic...err starting from the 1930's. ;)

http://sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html

Ah, that makes more sense. Maybe at some point I'll try to pin a decade down on this one for curiosity's sake. I'm guessing it's on the older side as it has a full chain guard.

Judging from the decals, and the reflectors, that is a '70s model.

I'd like a full chaincase on mine.

Check the date on the rear hub

This ^^^^^^ seems to be the general opinion around here and after more digging online i finally found some pics of similar women's frames with the same paint and decaling. Seems that the foil on the seat tube lasted into the early '70's up north. I will call this one a '71 to '73. Thanks for all the input. I never stop learning when I hang around here.

I have started the clean an rebuild process and it is really cleaning up nicely, can't wait to get it done. Will post new pics when it is finished.

There were a couple of different configurations of the foil wraps on the seat tubes, the ones used on the blue bike were from '65-'68 in the US, they changed the number of them and continued use in the US until 1972.

Aaron :)

The pedals would tell me it's a 1973/74 model.

The reflectors and decals lead me to think later '70s, like '77 or so. We should probably wait for the date on the hub.

She loves her Raleigh 3 speed... :)

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...sept%20(6).JPG

An image from the 69 catalogue shows these pedals which didn't have any bearings and were not well liked.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=340988

Thanks much; I will be doing that hammer work here pretty soon as the summer humidity broke last Friday in this part of the country...

Would this be the one:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=341233

Re my post #4566 ...

I was in a rush the day that I thought I posted the pics and I never got around to checking to see if they had posted correctly.

Here they are; as you can see, that back fender is gonna need some work...

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And there is what started my inquiry into help with the date............ the hub is not stamped. :)

The guy I bought it from thought maybe '71 ........... he was not sure. At any rate it is finished and I rode it this morning for it's maiden ride. I will try and get some pics this afternoon and post them up.

I would say it does..... I guess I have not hammered out anything that bad.

New pics of the finished bike. The only things not original to the bike as far as I can tell are the bar tape and rear rack and bag. Bar tape is some new old stock stuff I picked up at a flea market and the rear rack is cheepo that was half broken off of a throw away bike from the LBS. Cut the broken parts off the rack and seems to fit and work well here.

http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a.../DSCN47091.jpg
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Looks really nice (and I love the "have beer mug, will travel"). Keep an eye on those pedals - I had a set on my Raleigh made Canadian Glider and they really are crappy - first set of pedals I ever had that actually broke in use. Replaced them with some lightly used Union pedals (not rebuildable or adjustable but they actually had bearing that you can kinda sorta lubricate).

That's a "Gentleman Cyclist" (GC) Mug. Useful for tea brew ups and all sorts of beverages:

http://photos.imageevent.com/abce/20...e/CIMG7514.JPG

Did I say beer? Of course I meant tea!:thumb:

:)

Yeah, I put them on there to try them out .............. never mind the lack of bearings, my feet hate them. Already replaced with something not quite as nice looking but more usable.

Works good for BOTH!

Aaron :)

Probably mentioned this
but in the 1950's we called them
ENGLISH RACERS
Yeah one of my earliest memories is some older kids black ENGLISH RACER parked on the sidewalk
Skinny tires fancy shift lever(bikes didn't have levers on the bars back then)
nice black shiny paint
It was really exotic in 1955-1956 Philly-bikes back then were wide tired-single speed-very heavy-plenty of delivery bikes riding on sidewalk-(big front basket-small ft wheel) small groceries etc.
Yeah they were like the fighter jets we would see on TV-exotic
Loved the look of those bikes!


PS I never actually owned one
except post Katrina-buddy gave me one that was under water for 23 days-them sat outside for 6 months
I hosed it off-sprayed the cables a bit-pumped up the tires
and it WORKED-worked just fine actually-shifter etc braked as well as it did originally(not great but ok)
heavy-maybe 38 lbs- I traded it for something-bet it is still on the road(ugly brownish color)
Brits obviously know how to build bikes to withstand "wet weather" no surprise I guess-but I WAS SURPRISED it still shifted fine-lots of silt etc

picked these lovely ladies up... my brother loves my 75 sports, so he naturally wanted one of his own, i found these 2 on cl for 150 for the pair! i snatched them up quick, they both need a ton of work but i can manage. the dl1 i worked on in april was just as bad if not worse..

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That Superbe should be a fine ride when you get it presentable. I would image you keep that one and sell your brother your '75 Sports. (That's what I would do!)

Well!

I've only recently joined the forum from over the water in UK..

Your enthusiasm,obsession with our 3 speeds is fascinating.

It's going to take me a long time to read through this thread and long may it last :)

Beic

Let me be the first to welcome you to the assylum Beic. Nice to have the UK represented. Now, about all of those vintage parts you chaps are hoarding over there.....

I have to believe that American one-speed coaster-brake bomber style bikes were more common in this country than English three-speeds at some point in time. Yet the 3-speeds have survived in greater numbers. I see so many of them in use in Manhattan. I think it's the most reliable and useful kind of bike I can think of. Manhattan has recently seen an explosion of bikes and cycling. Tons of bikes are locked up in public, and many bikes stay out overnight, which is relatively new. Many of the bikes have the characteristic white portion of the rear fender.

People riding these bikes don't seem to be sentimental about them. They are not the type of people who would engage in this discussion thread. They just ride their bikes to get places, and the old three-speed does the job admirably.