So what is the deal with this non-white Raleigh rear fender?
#3
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Or the paint peeled off? Or the bike was made for the export market?
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#4
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It's my understanding that the white panel on Raleigh rear fenders was a WWII visibility aid, at a time when use of lights was severely restricted because of air raids.
Lacking the white panel, the bike may be pre-WWII production. Are there any other clues to when it was built?
Lacking the white panel, the bike may be pre-WWII production. Are there any other clues to when it was built?
#6
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Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#7
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I believe I see white paint poking through on the rear fender section? Also looks like I see remnants of the wide gold paint line that would separate the white portion from the rest of the fender on bikes from the 1940's.
#8
I didn't know that regulation was repealed in 1955. Raleigh kept painting them that way for the US up until the very late 70s. I've always liked them. It's one of those rare instances where government regulation produced something useful and good looking.
#9
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Canadian bicycles were also marketed with a white end on the rear mudguard prior to World War II. CCM catalogues show and mention this safety feature as early as 1936. It was law, at least in Ontario, where CCM were manufactured. Racing models which came without mudguards had the seat stays painted white. The white stays were discontinued after the war but white ends on rear mudguards were retained through 1972. When I started cycling seriously in the 1960s, many older cyclists referred to this feature as a "deer's tail" or "doe's tail".
Often, it's easier and less expensive for a company to make all their bicycles to the most strict standard imposed by any of the countries in which they market their product. Multiple standards are confusing for workers and leads to the possibility of non-compliant product being inadvertently shipped. The increased cost of a stricter standard is often offest by increased manufacturing efficiency and simpler logistics. Consequently, even after domestic regulations are relaxed, some manufacturers may maintain stricter requirements to comply with export market legislation.
Often, it's easier and less expensive for a company to make all their bicycles to the most strict standard imposed by any of the countries in which they market their product. Multiple standards are confusing for workers and leads to the possibility of non-compliant product being inadvertently shipped. The increased cost of a stricter standard is often offest by increased manufacturing efficiency and simpler logistics. Consequently, even after domestic regulations are relaxed, some manufacturers may maintain stricter requirements to comply with export market legislation.
Last edited by T-Mar; 11-25-18 at 08:45 AM.
#10
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Judging by the ornamentation on that chaincase (BTW: DO NOT repaint that! it's fantastic!) I would not be surprised if was pre-1935. Take a look at the rear hub markings, to get a good clue.
#11
Here's this bike in the 1948 catalog. This is a really nice bike. Wish I would have found it. It seems likely that the rear mudguard was repainted or replaced. That ugly 70s reflector needs to go!!
#12
I can't make out the trigger shifter in the picture. Looks like it might be a window 3 or 4 speed. The first reference for that shifter was from this ad in December 1949. If that is a window 3 or 4 speed, that would place the bike forward to around 1950. Pretty sure the seat tube transfer with the model name on this bike was changed by 1951 to the model name on the down tube.
the older style
the older style
#13
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thanks for all of the replies based on sharp eyed observation and a lot of knowledge ! Going to look at it in person tomorrow. Yes, the chain case is very cool, would never repaint it !
#16
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Here in Holland a 30cm white section was mandatory from 1935 to 1995, when cheap blinky lights were allowed.
#17
Ah, that's the transitional shifter before the window shifter. It has the improved internal spring, but no window. I'm confident this bike dates to before 1950. Interesting that the seat tube transfer says Raleigh Sports in the same font as they used in the early 50s instead of Sports Tourist like the full chaincase model in the 1948 catalog. I think we can narrow it down to 1948- 1949. I'm looking forward to hearing what the date stamp on the hub is.
#18
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Well, won’t be able to get a hub number . Bike sold today before I could see it tomorrow. Thanks for the help. Looking for another 1930s roadster to go with the 1927 that I have
Last edited by raleighroadster; 11-25-18 at 08:53 PM.