68sd

first day out on my 51 Raleigh that was found in a dumpster

desconhecido 

That is a very interesting bicycle. Fenders look like Raleigh fenders except for the mountings. The little brazed fitting for the shift cable pully is still visible at the top of the seat tube, but a clamp has been installed. Needs a chain -- will work much better. Nice saddle -- is it a survivor, do you think?

We have a 51 step through and it has stainless rims and spokes -- I'm guessing yours does as well.

68sd

i expect it hasnt been in service for many decades,it was as dry of fluids as any bike ive seen.
it was dropped off in a recycling bin with this 1953 Hercules Eatons Commander.

dweenk

I've lived through that twice. The first time was a company that was acquired by KKR - they shut down all projects, broke the company into regional pieces, and sold the pieces to the highest bidder. The second time was after a strike by the union employees. IMO when bean counters get involved, the outcome is seldom satisfactory.

arty dave

True - I wouldn't be worried about the steel, but I'm not sure how it would affect the alignment of the clamp bolt. It's only a 1.6mm difference so it should be OK (25.4mm - 23.8mm). Has anyone done this and lived to tell the tale? It is a lovely stem and it's just that bit longer - I think it would look good on the red bike I've posted here that has the gas-mask grips.
I had one of these stems on a Raleigh Sports that I sold some time ago - it did have this smaller stem clamp and the handlebar was a standard north road shape (with the smaller clamp area). I saw one on another Sports for sale here not too long ago, so maybe it was an export thing for a few years? The majority of Sports I see here (Australia) have the regular stem. Cute Boy Horse I like hitting things with hammers, but I think I'll just pry it open

clubman 

Lucky dog. That will be a star once cleaned up. Pretty colour.

Raleigh used those mounts on Humbers in the early 50's so they're likely original. Maybe export market.

clubman 

I've raved on this one before. Equal to the Raleigh but the left pedal is odd. Is it an alloy Gibson pedal?

Chaser95

Another road trip another Sports. AW Hub July 77. Has those @&$(*#^ adjustable brakes. Another barn picture for Paul. Bought this and a red 70s Le Tour Mixte for two Jacksons. Thanks guys for the shifter tips. Had I not been Raleigh chasing I would have tried them out today. Back to work tomorrow.

BigChief 

Nice one!! Dumpster?? Good grief. What a good find. Recycling bin?? I might camp out there sometime. And I thought great finds were getting impossible.

Chaser95

Correction on the hub date...….July 74. Also 21 inch frame. Sorry. Senior moment!

Chaser95

Great! Keep checking that dumpster!

BigChief 

Those fenders came on the drop bar version Sports, but that model didn't come with a chainguard. These could be original. They are from the early 50s. You never know with Raleigh.

PatrickZ

desconhecido 

So, about stretching Raleigh stems made for steel bars to accept 25.4 mm bars. By shear coincidence, and through a rather bizarre process I won't go into, because someone would think I was nuts, and we can't have that again, I unintentionally acquired a Raleigh Sports stem made for their steel bars which someone had attempted to enlarge to 25.4 mm. The pictures show some pretty nasty deformation; cracks and fissures are starting--I would not trust this stem:

paulb_in_bkln

This positively answers my question!

ISP

Hi everyone... yesterday I rescued a 3 speed Raleigh Sports from the trash. I know nothing about bicycles but thought this might be a fun summer project. I was wondering if anyone would be able to tell me the age of the bike and missing external parts. I have tried to post pictures; however, the forum will not let me do so until I have at least 10 posts. Help is greatly appreciated with information on the bike and how to upload pictures.

Thanks

Ian

desconhecido 

Lots of people here will be able to narrow down the possible years pretty quickly. The easiest thing for you to check is the Sturmey Archer date code underneath all the dirt and grunge on the rear hub. It does happen, but it's relatively rare to find a hub that doesn't match the age of the bike.

paulb_in_bkln

You really have stumbled into the correct saloon.

arty dave

Mine too! I've just spent a tonne of $ at the dentist, the thought of handing over more because of a broken stem would at least make the dentist happy.
It will sit on the shelf for now. Maybe I'll find a 23.8mm clamp handlebar, or maybe I can find a 22.2mm clamp handlebar that I can shim into the stem.

gster

Yes, the hub stamp is your main source of info. There are lots of other details that the members here can use to narrow the year down.
Free bikes are always the best...
You can usually get these back in shape for less than $100.00 (plus your labour)
New tires
New chain
new brake pads
new cables (re use the original casings)
When dis assembling keep ALL the parts!
Even a rusty old axle nut.
Raleigh parts are all proprietary,
you can't pop down to the hardware store for a new one.
Most of your work will be taking it apart, cleaning, re-packing bearings etc.
Lots of info here and on youtube .
Lots of small parts are still available from your LBS.
Good luck!

paulb_in_bkln

Is the barn on your property? Tons of visual character. I always feel like I am king of the world when riding my Sports step thru.

thumpism 

Great feeling, isn't it? Here's the one I got the same way.

johnnyspaghetti

This is a big boy bike

thumpism 

My wife won't let me look for a tall girl to ride it while I accompany her on my men's 23" Sports.

dweenk

Advertised as a Rodeo, But I think this is a Sports or Superbe.
https://delaware.craigslist.org/bik/...604497099.html