swampyankee2

As pleasant as it sounds I can't imagine taking a 50 year old bike on a long ride. I only refer to preserving the full fendered touring style of bike that it is. If i could find a set of steel rims that aren't all rusted I'd consider it.

bikamper

You might be surprised how well a 50 year old bike does on a long ride.

swampyankee2

A little update on the RH Lenton Sports. I pulled a decent set of aluminum rimmed wheels with quick-release axles from a parts bike. I had to file the dropouts a bit to fit the larger axles, and I snipped the front fender stays open so they slip over the axle since the fork has no fender-mount lugs. Dia-Comp levers replaced the steel originals, and D-C side-pull calipers replace the Raleigh steel ones. I sourced a nice B17 saddle since the owner said "it came with a leather saddle but got wet and warped". I replaced the Huret Allivit RD with a Svelto from the same parts bike. Not a real upgrade I know, but it looks a bit lighter and is of the same period so I thought I'd try it. During a test-ride I noticed the pedals seem to be slightly bent. They are the common rat-trap types (Lyotards?) and I have another set from a bike I'm upgrading. I'll keep the steel bars and stem, as well as everything else stock. The frame is comfortable and rides nicely.
I know it's nothing historic, but it's still pretty unique and a good, vintage bike for my modest "collection".

clubman 

A little suggestion, next time file parallel flats on the axle instead of the frame. Axles are replaceable, frames less so.

swampyankee2

I had considered filing flats on the axles, but I really didn't have to take much out - maybe 0.5 mm at most - to get them to fit. Getting the flats 180 degrees opposite on the axles and then having to line up the flats to mount wheels every time was a bit more daunting.

clubman 

It's actually simpler than is seems with a handfile and vice. Then if you find an original set of wheels you like you won't have any orientation problems or slippage.
Next time.

3alarmer 

...here is the Lenton Grand Prix from 1958 that I reworked. It is pretty rideable, not especially fast, but somewhat more enjoyable than it was with the original components.
You can probably see what I replaced with alloy just looking at the photo. I found the original wheels to be vexatious, so once I replaced those with something a little lighter/newer, I just decided to go with what felt right.


original

original

original

original

original

How it eventually turned out. I have since mounted fenders on it, but they are far from authentic originals.

3alarmer 

.
...just as an FYI, I think they stopped selling Raleigh Lentons in 1960. You can look here.

swampyankee2

Right. I read the Raleigh LS was last sold in 1962. The Robin Hood version came later (mine's a '67) and is a Lenton Sports in name only, built on a standard Hi-ten Raleigh Sports frame. In fact, when I posted a pic on the Lenton Sports and Variations FB group, no one had ever heard of it. I imagine it was only marketed it as a Lenton Sports outside of England where the name wouldn't have such an expectation of performance.

bikamper

I think I've seen four Lenton Sports in 52 years. Two on this thread, and two I had in my hands.

clubman 

We had gold Lenton Sports models sold in Canada, full 3 speed Sports as you described. I had a '63 with AW hub. We also had the early Lenton Sports and Clubmans from the late 40s/50's. Marketing guys don't care if informed consumers know quality when they see it's absence. Target the mass herd that doesn't give a whit.

England was blessed with high quality rides so of course, the faux LS's weren't made available. I think.




My first LS...wrong bars I think.