Beautiful Raleigh!

Wow, that Raleigh Sports looks pristine! I remember a pic in front of the Capitol, right? Very nice.

1971 Raleigh Sports
 

I got this a few days ago. I was going to transplant the crucial parts to another frame (diamond, maroon/burgundy) that was for sale at another town, as I am a male and all of my other bicycles are in various shades of red.

But this brown beauty - wonderfully tuned up, and while in no way "mint" but telling of a loving history - a sight of it and a test ride of it made me decide to just leave it be. And this will be the one I will be riding on a daily basis. Maybe I will paint it red-ish when it really wears out - yeah, like that will happen in my lifetime!

I suppose with them being open on one end, you'd need to be mindful of the direction you mount them in :)

It's sad to say, but that explains why no one makes them that way anymore. :rolleyes:

i can only imagine applying the front brake and seeing your pads go flinging off ahead of you as they shoot out from their carriers.

This may have been posted before. If so, I missed it --

A real one-of-a-kind on eBay: French Arxer 3-Speed with Sturmey Archer rear. I may be alone on this, but I think it's amazing. I had to share the photos. Check out the chainring:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...7hd3w~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...lD-FQ~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...fUhJQ~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...r2Tq!~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...F,MBw~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...u2KYg~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...98F6Q~~0_3.JPG



http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...ZtoMw~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...LB3Hw~~0_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Arxer...Rv6Yg~~0_3.JPG

^Look at that sidewall - 700x35! So many tire options! And such a fascinating chainring and guard...I love it.

So beautiful. I really wish I could find something this unique and old (700c Classic European Loop Frame) in the US. Unrealistic I know, but it's nice to dream, isn't it?

That is gorgeous, to be sure, and quite functional, too. You're right that 700c tires are a huge plus.

I've seen it! It can be pretty funny, depending on traffic conditions.

Maddox, that French bicycle is beautiful.

Yes HercRider on the Capitol. At some point we should get a Sac Three Speed Ride going...beyond the bi annual Tweed Ride that is. -D

Very cool maddox, dreams come true...sometimes. I'd been looking for years before I stubbled upon a 24" Rudge Whitworth Loop Frame and forks. It was made for 28"s but I decided to go with 700's and SA drums. Now I just need to build up the wheels and decide on a few other parts. Point being, don't give up on your dreams; just keep your eyes open a a few $ in you pocket, just incase.

Currently, your dream is running about $850 US.

Say hello to Aunt Dahlia, a 1966 Raleigh Lady's Sports. Her decals are a little frumpy, but she's a treat to ride. She came with a working Dynohub, matching rack, and a locking front fork -- with the key. :thumb:

Do those features make her a Sports Deluxe? Her decals aren't easy to read, but they do say "Raleigh Sports" very definitely.

So far, I've replaced the uncomfortable black vinyl saddle she came with and added a brass bell.

Now if I could just get those steel rims replaced before the rainy season kicks in here in California....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...57627652838973

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...57627652838973http://www.flickr.com/photos/68027772@N05/6193928678/in/set-72157627652838973/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...7627652838973/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...7627652838973/http://www.flickr.com/photos/68027772@N05/6193415527/in/set-72157627652838973/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...7627652838973/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...7627652838973/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6802777...7627652838973/

Sun CR-18 26" rims apparently are a drop-in replacement for the stock steel rims.

Cool -- thanks, John!

Good looking bike, marmorgan!

In order to insert the image in your post, you need to find the image url, not the flickr page url. Usually you go to "Actions" at the top left of the photo, and click on "View all Sizes." On the page it takes you to, you right-click on the image and select "copy image address." Once you do that, you've got the image url copied to your clipboard. You then go directly to your post here, and type "[img]". You then right clip and select "Paste", and the image url you copied will be inserted after the "[img]" tag. You then close the end of the photo url (ending in ".jpg") with the close image tag - "[/img]." You post would then look like this: [img] blablahdotjpg [/img] - and the photo will display for us.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/...51cb1d7f_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/...de4bebc3_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/...f083ed22_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/...322648fb_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/...99ebe868_b.jpg

That's a brilliantly preserved '66 Sports if ever I saw one. Those dyno lights are extremely desirable, so congrats on finding one with the lights intact!

And good job with the saddle and bell - they really bring it up to date nicely. Next thing to consider would be installing new cables and brake pads, which will (along with a wheel swap) dramatically improve braking and shifting.

So I've been working on the Superbe project, most recently repainting some badly neglected fenders (I'll post photos later), making the Steel to CR-18 swap, and overhauling the rear hub...so I've been looking at a variety of Sturmey Archer resources and assorted English parts distributors. Thought I'd share a few interesting and/or cool links/photos I found -

Firstly, I was fantasizing and looking at prices on old FG (4-Speed) hubs, and found JollyRogerMotors.com. Not only do they have a bunch of parts including a good condition 4-Speed hub for sale, they also have a Ladies' 1947 DL-1 for sale for $195.00. If you're in MA, that's not a bad deal.

Also, I found a wealth of cool info at www.sturmey-archerheritage.com, a site maintained by Sturmey Archer Co that has a giant record of old ads, tech info, and press stuff. Really really great stuff, such as a 1970 display-model of the hub spliced to show the internals, and much much more (too much to share).

This one, about spending 35,000 miles on an AW Hub, made me think of some forumites:

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.co.../pic-461.3.jpg

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.co.../pic-461.2.jpg

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.co...os/pic-461.jpg

I also really appreciated having a rendering of the massive factory in Nottingham that ran during the 50's and 60's, producing many of the hubs I've used and/or rebuilt, probably along with many others...

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.co...tos/pic-85.jpg

Gets kind of sad when you get further along in the timeline, and it shows photos of the new Tiawanese factory but alas...such is the nature of the new economy, I suppose.

Also, for those considering a rebuild, here's a good site that has a photo walkthrough. I'd consult other sources too and know what you're getting into, but this is a helpful link:

http://bicyclehub.co.uk/index.php?op...=59&Itemid=120

I have to say, I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at photos of well loved Raleigh Sports. They're common, yet each time I see one so beautifully cared for--as evidenced numerous times previously in this thread--it just makes me happy. I may not comment on every set, but I sure do love them. The black sports at the top of the page ... drool, the blue one, ..delightful. All the other 3-speed goodness is great too. Part of it is that I just like bikes, but part of it is seeing people value fixing a worthwhile thing vs. perpetuating a throw-away society. In any case, great thread.

Nice pictures!
They remind ALOT of Leavenworth Washington.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ch&um=1&itbs=1

....

Well said. I feel the same way.

@Maddox...that was an interesting bit on the 35,000 mile hub. I have one that I can document about half that many miles on and it has much more than that on it. It is an undated hub but the bike appears to be around a 1970/71 model. It is the smoothest and best running of all my AW hubs.

Aaron :)

Well, after looking at all these wonderful 3 speeds, we have finally made our first purchase. I stumbled across this 1977 Raleigh Sports with the S3C coaster brake hub from at our local Goodwill shop. It shouldn't take too much to get her back on the road.

Here she is in "As Received" condition. Anyone got a spare Raleigh R seat post bolt?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b...2/P1020459.JPG

I've seen it happen. Both to customers . . . . . . and to me, who, being a professional mechanic, was supposed to know better.

Here's a wedding gift to my wife and I from my friend Phil:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/...68f24d3d_z.jpg

Had to put a few parts into it, otherwise, it is a great rider.