1971? Raleigh Sport dumpster find
11-08-15, 01:25 PM
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1971? Raleigh Sport dumpster find
Been a while since I've posted, but this is too good.
Got a call from an old guy who buys & sells beach cruisers. His friend found the Raleigh in a dumpster after the owner died. It probably was ridden once at the bike shop, once around the block, and put away for good. He sold it to me for $20. It's in fantastic shape, with the exception of the Brooks saddle that rotted and split. Date code on the hub is 1971. Has reflector pedals.
Did this come with fenders originally?
Where's the serial number?
Got a call from an old guy who buys & sells beach cruisers. His friend found the Raleigh in a dumpster after the owner died. It probably was ridden once at the bike shop, once around the block, and put away for good. He sold it to me for $20. It's in fantastic shape, with the exception of the Brooks saddle that rotted and split. Date code on the hub is 1971. Has reflector pedals.
Did this come with fenders originally?
Where's the serial number?
11-08-15, 01:32 PM
#2
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Did this come with fenders originally?
It did and it looks naked without them.
It did and it looks naked without them.
11-08-15, 01:39 PM
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11-08-15, 02:20 PM
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That style crankset came out in the later 70s, so either it's a replacement or the rear wheel isn't original. Also, that's lots of stem showing--what's left in the steerer?
11-08-15, 02:58 PM
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...
...probably took off the fenders to offset the weight gain with that Pletscher rack.
They actually look OK with some of the available replacement fenders.
...probably took off the fenders to offset the weight gain with that Pletscher rack.
They actually look OK with some of the available replacement fenders.
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11-08-15, 03:03 PM
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I'd go with a 650B wheelset, Panaracer Col De La Vie tires, install a Shimano Nexus 8 speed hub and install Honjo hammered fenders.
I think it would be a beautiful restored Raleigh Sport.
I think it would be a beautiful restored Raleigh Sport.
11-08-15, 04:13 PM
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Why would you do that when you can get Panaracer Col de la vie tires in the original, 26 x 1 3/8"/590mm wheel size?
11-08-15, 07:12 PM
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11-08-15, 11:57 PM
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The ride quality of 650B medium width tires is like riding on the clouds.
Potholes and rough roads seem to vanish underneath them.
That's the reason I would go that route in rebuilding that Raleigh Sport into a nice city bike.
Potholes and rough roads seem to vanish underneath them.
That's the reason I would go that route in rebuilding that Raleigh Sport into a nice city bike.
11-09-15, 06:51 AM
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For $20? I'm jealous
1. Check the tires, tubes, cables, brake pads. Replace as neccesary.
2. Recondition the seat as best you can with the leather goop of your choice.
3. Put lots of 3-in-one 1/4 HP motor oil (blue label, not standard black label) in the internal hub and then clean it off the back rim.
4. Ride it or give to someone who will.
Fenders really do complete this bike BUT the braking system (older single pull brakes, steel wheels) doesn't work that well in the rain, so it might not be that big a of a deal.
There are plenty of good 26 x 1.375 (590mm - that's important) tires and tubes available, both online and in some LBS's.
These bikes were designed to be ridden for decades as transportation. They're tanks.
References:
This forum has a great thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-3-speeds.html
This is a great blog: Lovely Bicycle!: Lovely Bicycles on a Budget: Vintage vs Modern
The late, great, Sheldon Brown: Servicing English Three Speeds
1. Check the tires, tubes, cables, brake pads. Replace as neccesary.
2. Recondition the seat as best you can with the leather goop of your choice.
3. Put lots of 3-in-one 1/4 HP motor oil (blue label, not standard black label) in the internal hub and then clean it off the back rim.
4. Ride it or give to someone who will.
Fenders really do complete this bike BUT the braking system (older single pull brakes, steel wheels) doesn't work that well in the rain, so it might not be that big a of a deal.
There are plenty of good 26 x 1.375 (590mm - that's important) tires and tubes available, both online and in some LBS's.
These bikes were designed to be ridden for decades as transportation. They're tanks.
References:
This forum has a great thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-3-speeds.html
This is a great blog: Lovely Bicycle!: Lovely Bicycles on a Budget: Vintage vs Modern
The late, great, Sheldon Brown: Servicing English Three Speeds
11-09-15, 09:43 AM
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Thinking about the fenders...
If you can't find the correct blue ones, consider NOS chrome fenders because the rest of the shiny bits on that bike are in very good condition. A bit "out there" for a sedate bike like the Sports, but it just might work. You probably would have to change out / remove the rear rack if you went chrome. That rack has a fairly matte finish on it, if it is the Pletscher rack I think it is.
If you can't find the correct blue ones, consider NOS chrome fenders because the rest of the shiny bits on that bike are in very good condition. A bit "out there" for a sedate bike like the Sports, but it just might work. You probably would have to change out / remove the rear rack if you went chrome. That rack has a fairly matte finish on it, if it is the Pletscher rack I think it is.
11-09-15, 10:46 AM
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Yes, from my observations, the herons lost their eyes in 1973 and the V brackets were gone later in the same year. The chainring is from 1973 or later.
11-09-15, 11:05 AM
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I ended up with Kenda somethign or another, but at least they are high pressure. Went on easy last night.
11-09-15, 11:07 AM
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Thinking about the fenders...
If you can't find the correct blue ones, consider NOS chrome fenders because the rest of the shiny bits on that bike are in very good condition. A bit "out there" for a sedate bike like the Sports, but it just might work. You probably would have to change out / remove the rear rack if you went chrome. That rack has a fairly matte finish on it, if it is the Pletscher rack I think it is.
If you can't find the correct blue ones, consider NOS chrome fenders because the rest of the shiny bits on that bike are in very good condition. A bit "out there" for a sedate bike like the Sports, but it just might work. You probably would have to change out / remove the rear rack if you went chrome. That rack has a fairly matte finish on it, if it is the Pletscher rack I think it is.
11-09-15, 11:30 AM
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Based on the chainguard, no later than 1972 model year. After that, the decal has "Raleigh Sports" in ugly 1970's typeface vs just "Raleigh" in the ancient typeface. I can't find reference to that blue color in a men's Sports for that timeframe, at least in US catalogs. There is reference to a men's royal blue Wayfarer, which is a sports in disguise, in the UK for 1971.
Last edited by tbo; 11-09-15 at 11:38 AM.
11-09-15, 02:13 PM
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1973 it is. Looked up Raleigh catalogs, it's most likely a '73. This is going to be a wallhanger/ occasional rider. Really nice bike. The tires seem fine, but the rear hub needs oil. Got to get fenders
11-09-15, 03:32 PM
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I hate to rain on the parade, but I just went through trying to find 650a tires for my Sports. The Col de la Vie is out of stock everywhere I looked...and Harris Cyclery would only let me add 1 to my shopping cart; lame.
I ended up with Kenda somethign or another, but at least they are high pressure. Went on easy last night.
I ended up with Kenda somethign or another, but at least they are high pressure. Went on easy last night.
11-09-15, 03:39 PM
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My signature bike is an American Eagle. When the rusted out spokes start breaking, I plan to switch to 650B. The Raleigh's rims have a lot of life left.
The Honjo fenders are pricey but perty
The Honjo fenders are pricey but perty
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