biking betty

I thought I saw one advertised today, but the photo wasn't great so it's hard to tell...that's what it looks like, though! In blue. No idea what age.

oddjob2

Raleigh Tourist is available in a loop frame. Sport? Idk.

biking betty

Yeah...I can't find anything online about a Raleigh "Sports" in a loop frame, but from the photo (see the "sports" written in white?) that is what it looks like. I'm going to see it later this week, but I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about this edition--lots about the Tourist, or DL-1, but nothing about Sports?

johnnyspaghetti

This may be a Sports. It certainly is not English. Asian made post 80's. The year is date stamped on the 3 speed hub 85 3 would be 1985 march built hub. This may be a very nice riding bike although not a find to jump up & down about. Looks like it would clean up well.

palincss

The classic Raleigh Sports Ladies model looked like this:

clubman 

Very few Sports had loop frames except for some in the 80's, similar to the one you've shown. I think they were the Canadian made models. Loop frames didn't suit the smaller frame design as they required longer head tubes. As you noted there were more 3 speed roadsters.

biking betty

Thanks for the info! I will check for the date. Yes, just looking for an inexpensive bike (this one fits that bill!), that I can clean and fix up (early spring project), that rides well for commuting in a skirt, and that I'm not afraid to lock up downtown.

Yes, I'm in Canada, so that fits. Are the Asian made Raleigh's noticeably poorer in quality or ride quality?

3alarmer

...not at the level of the Sports. The only thing that might be of lesser quality migth be the hub, if it's not Sturmey Archer. But I'm guessing it is. By the time that one was made, a lot of the Asian componentry and fit and finish (like paint) was better than what was coming out of England.

That one looks like it still has standard Raleigh components, like the super flexy brakes.

biking betty

Thanks! I'll try and let you know what I think if this bike when I see it--if I buy or not. It's really inexpensive listing, so I probably will just to have fun before the snow melts up here--I'm not a winter cyclist, though our infrastructure is improving for winter cycling so maybe next year?

3alarmer

.
...I rode a Dunelt 3-speed (similar to a Sports, but slightly cheaper to buy at the time), for one entire winter while in the Navy in New London, CN.

And you couldn't even by studded tyres back in those days, so when it snowed I had to walk it up the hill to get home.

clubman 

I think it's a valid generalization that as the post war decades passed by, so did the quality of the Raleigh Sports, It's not absolute, an eighties bike can ride just fine, but it's not likely to last 80 years like the earlier bikes.

Some of the Asian Raleigh race bikes were top shelf, as good as or better than many Nottingham bikes. Not so much with the entry level 3 speeds.

squirtdad

that must have been fun, as I recall new london/groton were not terribly bike friendly back in the day (for me 74-76 uscg evergreen....we docked at the underwater sound lab) when I got around on my azuki

johnnyspaghetti

If the price is right it may be taylor made for you with the easy lock the frame bar, nothing that great to steal but a ride home. I am not dissing the Asian made bikes. This is a Raleigh based machine with a cotterless crank. Thats a good thing. It could be the answer Cheap & good.

biking betty

I did pick it up. It's from September of 87. I've wiped it down, cleaned and oiled the chain, and added some machine oil to the Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub. The tires hold air and look ok--not sure if they are original or not, and not counting on a long life on the tubes. The front brake works fine, but the back brake sticks, and I'll have to deal with that before I can ride it (not a big deal, I'm sure).

Of most interest to me what the "Made in Canada" sticker--which I do understand may really mean "assembled in Canada", but still it was interesting! Also the front Raleigh badge says "The Raleigh" which is a bit different.

biking betty

Sorry! I don't know why the photos came out so big...I'm new at this.

clubman 

Those back brake housings collect water and rust easily so grease and replace the cable, pour some machine oil into the housing loop and even pack a little more grease around the opening. Repeat the oil routine anually.