jsven59

I am in the process of joining the DL1 Roadster club also, hopefully pick up the bike next Wednesday, will post a photo when I get it. Cable brakes though, no mudguards..... though I see Yellow Jersey has those, and a missing hockey stick guard. I have posted in the Wants, but if anyone specific to this thread has a spare one of those.....perhaps send me a message? Looking forward to having one of these. John

GordoTrek

are you sure its a DL1? i don't remember them ever having cable brakes,they should have the Rod Brakes, it could be a sports. DL1s were also called Raleigh Tourists

desconhecido 

Sure, it'll fit 28" tires, but are those the 28" tires that are smaller than 27" tires or the ones that are bigger than 27" tires?

jsven59

Strictly from photos, it appears that the rod brakes were replaced with cable pulls, listed as a "1965 Roadster or Tourist, 23 in. frame". The paint does appear all original and maintained though. Note on tires....it has "Specialized Commuter II- 26 x 1 3/8" tires on it......so either it is a Sports model, or could a Roadster be re-equipped with the smaller tires? No expert here. This deal seems to be souring for me......

GordoTrek

we need pictures of this thing!

BigChief

Here's an easy way of answering the question. Are the seat stays bolted to the seat tube like this picture? If they are not, but welded on, it is not a DL-1

jsven59

Aah, thank you Big Chief, the only bolt appears to be for tightening of the seat post, the stays are welded. So....that would make it a Sports model...if I get your "double not" correct. John

BigChief

Hope you find one. They do appear on CL from time to time. Just out of curiosity, I tried to research the roadster style bike in this CL ad.
I believe, from the reflector pedals, that it is a 70s not 50s model like he thinks, but I can't find out anything about it. It is cool, but all chrome or not no bicycle is worth that much to me. Still, it's interesting and shows that English roadsters are findable if you look long enough.
All-Chrome 1950's Comrade Bicycle Co. 3-Speed (Extremely Rare)

jsven59

I have feelers out on a Superbe model, though the Roadster would have had a bit more cache. I'll see if that one pans out to be thread worthy. Who knows, maybe more than one if they prove addictive.

GordoTrek

they are out there, i usually get 1 - 2 a year in my neck of the woods, usually priced between 300-500, there is always ebay too

browngw 

Started collecting some parts and cleaning "Sir Ways A. Tonne" up. Paint is better than expected, even the red pinstripe. Chrome is worse than I thought. We will see after a good cleaning.
Bought a new cable and chain thingy and was surprised to see Sturmey Archer was owned by Sun Race on the package.
Pedals have good rubber and bearings but a lot of rust.

Coreyk

Check the threads here at BF on removing rust using oxalic acid (AKA wood bleach) it's by far the easiest, least expensive, and least abrasive method of cleaning and converting rust to an inert state. It has the added bonus of not harming paint or decals.

You're right, the box lining stripes do look good!

I like that you have "The All Steel Bicycle"decal. My DL-1
does not have it.

BigChief

I think this is going to turn out to be a beautiful bike. I would also use the oxalic acid approach on all the small rusted parts. The handle bars and brake linkages look like they will clean up with just a mild abrasive. I think the rack would look nice painted black.

browngw 

I made a ride yesterday to one of our local shops that was once a Raleigh dealer (now Giant). In an old wooden drawer marked "3 speed" I found this handful of treasures. Also in the drawer were assorted SA and Shimano 3speed parts. I will be researching what some of the remaining parts are. I was invited to the attic and a lot of the bike stuff had been cleared, but at least six sets of Blu-mels were hung in the rafters in various colors. The owner informed me that the stays and attaching thingees were gone. They appeared to be plastic? Any value?

browngw 

Thanks for the idea @BigChief . I think the rack can be cleaned up enough to repaint and black with matching red pinstripe may look really sharp.

nlerner

Check eBay completed auctions. You'll see that they have plenty of value, particularly in colors other than white and black (and it's spelled "bluemels").

browngw 

This thing (Sir Ways A. Tonne) is long! You can see how I had to extend my rack wheel supports (3-4 inches) to carry it home. Grabbed another batch of small parts today at my LBS including a SA shifter cover. It seems from an Internet search that the original dealer is still in business in Hamilton Ontario, but not selling new Raleighs.

blackhawknj

I just joined the DL-1 Club, found a nice 22 inch frame model on Craigslist here in NJ-no chainguard, alas, Brook B-72 saddle.

NormanF

They are 635 mm tires - NOT interchangeable with 700 C. Schwalbe makes Delta Cruiser tires in the old Roadster size.

Many posters have put on a period incorrect Brooks saddle. The proper Brooks saddle for these old heavyweights was the triple spring B-73.

blackhawknj

I was lucky to find a 22" frame and only 2 hours away. Yes, I will get a Brooks B-73, look for a chainguard, also cam with no kickstand. I paid $200 and got a Wald basket and 2 inner tubes, so I think I did OK.

NormanF

If you want a full chaincase, your best bet is the UK eBay. A double legged kickstand would work. Later, you could have a Shimano dynamo hub built and install a headlamp.

Its not going to win a race but as a utility bike it will go anywhere with a minimum of maintenance. The wide tires were the first balloon tires.

blackhawknj

Remember the design is different enough from the Raleigh Sports as to require a different approach. The different design of the rear dropouts combined with the fixed position of the rear brake pads makes wheel positioning more critical, much less room for adjustment. Also if my experience is any guide you have to break the chain to remove the rear wheel.

BigChief

They were mostly coil spring saddles, but not always. At least not in 1973. Here's mine, hub date Feb. 73 and the 1973 catalog picture.

NormanF

I have to smile at the Raleigh ad.

I'm a small guy and my Raleigh Superbe was a big bike!

No kidding when they aimed it and the Tourist DL-1 to taller riders.

browngw 

This is the original saddle on my 1979 Roadster sold in Canada.