I'm still here. I just went through one of the busier points of my job this past week or two. Hit me up if you run across anything. I sent you an email, btw. Thanks noglider!

I tried, I had it in my ebay "watch list" right on my radar, then forgot about the auction until 1 hour past. I'm getting a bit itchy at this point.

I'm tryin'. It pains me to see all the Raleight Sports, Superbes, Tourists, etc. on the east coast. I can't find anything on this coast. It's been a month since I sold my road bike (received good dough for it) and it was my only rider. Didn't plan on it being this big of a lay off, but I want to make the best purchase I can. That Sports you found a few weeks ago was excellent. I also loved that Rudge Deluxe that @ftwelder has in post #749. Not sure if he sold it or would even be willing to ship.

Was perusing the local classified section yesterday and saw an ad for an antique folding bike and after checking things out yesterday I left a deposit and returned today to retrieve my new 3 speed.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...esthauler1.JPG

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...esthauler2.JPG

All it needs now is some new tyres... it is another 451 equipped British model and will stay just as she is.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/77R20a.JPG

I'm on the lookout for a small 3-speed Sports. Keep your eyes peeled on your local Craigslists!

(I'm going to try a wanted ad in the local paper, and see if any seniors have one they'd part with on the cheap- that sounds like a good idea.)

What do you mean by small sized? Also diamond frame or step through?

Aaron :)

I don't know how small Raleigh frames were made, but my road bikes float around 50cm/19.5". I can ride slightly bigger bikes, though.

And diamond-frames, for the win!

As far as step-throughs go, I don't like women's frames, but I love riding mixtes. Does anyone else love mixtes?

The Sports usually came in a 21" or 23" frame. The standover height on the 21" frame is about 30". They also made a "Camelback" frame, the Colt, which is about 18":
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=166944

21" men's frames are relatively easy to come by around here, but the 23" is more highly sought after.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/1922797332.html
http://images.craigslist.org/3n73p43...e47a921cad.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3k63mc3...a4caef1607.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3kc3p13...36dc1b1bf0.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3nc3p03...48afa91079.jpg
Wait a while then offer $75

They also made a diamond frame in the 19" size for a couple of years. 1974? IIRC it was silver.

I suspect the OP can probably ride a 21".

Aaron :)

banjo_mole and jedge76, go to http://google.com/alerts and create an alert with terms kinda like this:

3 speed bike site:craigslist.org

It will scour craigslist once a day for you and email you the results.

Hell I check CL dozens of times/day haha, once a day isn't enough!

I found my last 3 English bikes via the Garbage Men. I told them what I was looking for....they deliver to the drive way for $20!

Wow, I never thought of that! How do you specify what you're looking for? I don't want no stinkin' department store bikes.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...esthauler2.JPG

Worked on the old boy between other jobs today... and when work was done we went on a nice pootle. The 451 equipped Twenty is a different bike than it's exported cousins as it has better road manners and is a little faster since it rolls on taller and skinnier tyres.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/1977R20a.JPG

Wow. That's a really, really cool trick. I'm going to start doing that for everything! This is a pandora's box, opened!

Also, thank y'all for the SF CR link, that's right up my alley, but too far away. :/

-Nick

Everything they they have brought has a particular odor, I wouldn't say "stinkin'." They know I don't want every bike, so far I've asked them for English 3 speeds and showed them an example. Next I may try road bikes, show them the difference between an alloy seatpost and steel and see what happens.

Garbagemen will catch on. They will become your competitors. Kind of like the 'Borg'. Speaking from experience...

Terrific bike. And you've done a nice job cleaning it up.

There's an old Raleigh rod brake at a local garage sale, I snapped some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/ypsibikes/RaleighRodBrake#

Don't know if it's still there, it was a couple of hours ago. I'd be glad to facilitate a deal for anyone. It's in 48197 zip. I think it can be had cheaply. not looking for any personal profit at all. The guy said 'make an offer'. I didn't because I don't need another project.

It just needed to be dusted off... :)

Installed new tyres, added my old Wright's saddle, spd pedals, and an 18 tooth cog with as KMC chain to bring down the gearing a few steps..

It's how I got started. I've been a garbageman for thirty years. I had a co-worker who had started a side business called the "Krusty Wheel". A few of us kept him supplied with garbage finds until random drug testing made him quit his job over quitng the greenbud. I'd already gotten an eye for a decent bike and started piling up a few. Last time I saw Krusty he was pedaling/selling a really sweet Shelby I'd gotten him years ago.

To be honest, I didn't want to post it here for several months, because it would diminish my advantage over other collectors. But I'm sharing it now.

Thanks noglider...nice trick and I don't think I'll be one of those collectors leaching from your stock:lol: A big help indeed!

Well... have already put a respectable 40 miles on the new Twenty and have to say I am most pleased and that it is a different ride than it's 406 equipped cousin.

The shifting is as smooth as butter on glass (it's an SA AW), has some very nice road manners, and comes off the line like a little rocket... just perfect for pootling through the urban jungle and dodging errant motorists and bike swallowing potholes.

It's all low tech and old tech but still... these are remarkably nice bikes to ride and think it needs some Wald folding baskets to make it more utilitarian.