Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Robin Hood Lenton Sports?

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Robin Hood Lenton Sports?

Old 03-20-22, 05:47 PM
  #1  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Robin Hood Lenton Sports

I found this on the local CL. Seems worth it even if it doesn't have the pedigree of the 50s versions.
Robin Hood Lenton Sports on CL
Seller claims to be the original owner. Says he thinks its a 1967. Does it have any relation to the Raleigh Lenton Sports of the 50s? They were reputedly 531 tube frames.
Or is it just a 10 speed gear train on a Raleigh Sports frame?

Last edited by swampyankee2; 04-03-22 at 05:24 PM.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Old 03-20-22, 06:30 PM
  #2  
clubman 
Phyllo-buster
 
clubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,829

Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic

Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2287 Post(s)
Liked 2,028 Times in 1,244 Posts
There were Robin Hood branded ' 531 Lenton Sports clones but my pic of one is awol. It was circa 1960.

The later gold Lentons are likely Hi Tensile and came in 3, 5, and 10 speeds builds.
clubman is offline  
Likes For clubman:
Old 03-20-22, 08:49 PM
  #3  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
I still have my Robin Hood Lenton Sports I got new in 1970. It used to look like the one in the CL listing but had a Wrights W3N saddle on it instead of that couch cushion. Huret Allvit chain movers, Atom hubs and freewheel, Nervar cottered crank, Rigida Super Chromix steel rims and WW Dunlop tires. The pedals may have been Lyotard. I don't recall having wing nuts on the hubs but it was 52 years ago. And you are correct, it's basically a 10 speed Raleigh Sport. That said, I did several 200, 300, 400, and 600K brevets on it before I discovered Miyatas.

In it's current livery and configuration.
bikamper is offline  
Likes For bikamper:
Old 03-20-22, 09:13 PM
  #4  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times in 2,580 Posts
That’s a good deal for what it is, but more equivalent to a Raleigh Sprite than a Sports. Hi-ten steel frame, steel rims, low-end parts.
nlerner is offline  
Likes For nlerner:
Old 03-21-22, 06:21 AM
  #5  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
Originally Posted by nlerner
That’s a good deal for what it is, but more equivalent to a Raleigh Sprite than a Sports. Hi-ten steel frame, steel rims, low-end parts.
If it was closer, I'd snag it.
bikamper is offline  
Old 03-24-22, 09:49 AM
  #6  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by nlerner
That’s a good deal for what it is, but more equivalent to a Raleigh Sprite than a Sports. Hi-ten steel frame, steel rims, low-end parts.
I have a free evening so I'm taking a ride up to see it. $100 is certainly cheap enough, especially if it's as good as it looks in the pics. Allegedly all original including fenders, which he has stored. Maybe not worth alot. but it's definitely unique. With fenders and a proper leather saddle, it could be a nice casual go-to-town bike and conversation piece. It would be nice to have a vintage Raleigh badge on it. Not trying to fake a legendary 50's Lenton Sports, but the Robin Hood name is just too confusion for most casual observers.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Likes For swampyankee2:
Old 03-24-22, 06:27 PM
  #7  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
So I pulled the trigger on the Lenton Sports. It's in pretty good shape for a 1967ish. The guy said his dad bought it for him when he was a kid, and he was taught the value of it anf how to care for it. It's well-oiled to say the least!
I put the handlebars right and hung the fenders on it as soon as I got it home. I also popped the Brooks from the Dawes on it just for a photo shoot. it came with a Brooks originally but the owner swapped it for a mattress saddle.
It needs a brake cable and matching tyres, among other things. I'd like to swap out the steel stem, bars, and brake components for alloy. Maybe find someone stripping a Grand Prix.


swampyankee2 is offline  
Likes For swampyankee2:
Old 03-24-22, 07:08 PM
  #8  
Slowride79
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Hitsville USA
Posts: 313

Bikes: 50s, 60s, 70s Nottingham/Worksop bikes, becanes, Gitane, Bertin, Lion of Sochaux

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times in 75 Posts
Very nice bike! I have one but nowhere near as nice shape as yours!

Our very own @juvela helped me to identify some components when he looked at mine.below I quote him and attach pics he found. I think they apply to yours as well from what my far less trained eyes can see.

“ pedals appear Phillips Apollo

chainset is NERVAR Ref. 53-65 with the outer chainwheel of Ref. 63-66”

I paraphrase him here: Huret 600 front derailleur; this font came out around 1966. Catalog pic from ‘66
Attached Images

Last edited by Slowride79; 03-29-22 at 03:14 PM.
Slowride79 is offline  
Likes For Slowride79:
Old 03-24-22, 07:20 PM
  #9  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by Slowride79
Very nice bike! I have one but nowhere near as nice shape as yours!

Our very own @juvela helped me to identify some components when he looked at mine.below I quote him and attach pics he found. I think they apply to yours as well from what my far less trained eyes can see.

“ pedals appear Phillips Apollo

chainset is NERVAR Ref. 53-65 with the outer chainwheel of Ref. 63-66”

I paraphrase him here: Simplex 600 front derailleur; this font came out around 1966. Catalog pic from ‘66
thanx for the info. I counted a 52-40 crankset on mine with rear largest cog 28T. The RD is a Huret, solid steel as they were back then.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Old 03-24-22, 08:19 PM
  #10  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
Memories.
bikamper is offline  
Old 03-24-22, 09:09 PM
  #11  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,573 Times in 2,580 Posts
I ended up with one of these some years back. Not even sure if I built it up or sold it off (or traded it) as a frameset. It seemed cleanly built.




nlerner is offline  
Likes For nlerner:
Old 03-25-22, 05:49 AM
  #12  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
I realize the 60's Lenton Sports were nothing more than a 10-speed Raleigh Sprite (the frame is exactly the same as my Raleigh Sports), but it's unique piece. And I dig the color combo. I may return the fenders I bought for the Dawes and develop it more into a demi-course. The Lenton Sports can be my tourer, such as it is (and my actual touring such that it is these days). It would be nice to replace the steel drop bars with alloy. I'm wondering if a set of moustache bars would be appropriate.
Since I have to replace one brake cable anyway, I might as well replace the steel brake and levers with alloy. I found a Dia-Comp full setup on eBay, but what is a common upgrade for the stock steel Raleigh calipers?

Last edited by swampyankee2; 03-25-22 at 05:59 AM.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Old 03-25-22, 07:38 AM
  #13  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
I decided to keep the steel stem and bars on mine. Just used to them, I guess. I think I replaced the levers with Weinmann, but I'd have to look to be sure. After crashing one time too many with the steel rims in the rain, I swapped the Chromix rims for 700c alloys and run a Sturmey Archer Steelite drum brake in the front and probably a Dia-compe side pull in the rear. I have to go up in the garage attic today, so I can check what I did 35/40 years ago.
bikamper is offline  
Old 03-25-22, 08:27 AM
  #14  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
I had it backwards, Weinmann caliper on the back and Dia-compe levers up front.
bikamper is offline  
Old 03-25-22, 08:29 AM
  #15  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by bikamper
I had it backwards, Weinmann caliper on the back and Dia-compe levers up front.
any particular reach required for a single pull caliper or would any older style work?
swampyankee2 is offline  
Old 03-25-22, 08:34 AM
  #16  
bikamper
1991 PBP Anciens
 
bikamper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Elburn, Illannoy
Posts: 594

Bikes: 1954 Robin Hood, 1964 Dunelt, 1968 Raleigh Superbe, 1969 Robin Hood, 197? Gitane, 1973 Raleigh SuperCourse, 1981 Miyata 710, 1990 Miyata 600GT, 2007 Rivendell Bleriot

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 241 Times in 94 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
any particular reach required for a single pull caliper or would any older style work?
Most any older style will work as most were longer reach.
bikamper is offline  
Old 03-25-22, 09:58 AM
  #17  
52telecaster
ambulatory senior
 
52telecaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 6,347

Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.

Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1953 Post(s)
Liked 3,633 Times in 1,670 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
I have a free evening so I'm taking a ride up to see it. $100 is certainly cheap enough, especially if it's as good as it looks in the pics. Allegedly all original including fenders, which he has stored. Maybe not worth alot. but it's definitely unique. With fenders and a proper leather saddle, it could be a nice casual go-to-town bike and conversation piece. It would be nice to have a vintage Raleigh badge on it. Not trying to fake a legendary 50's Lenton Sports, but the Robin Hood name is just too confusion for most casual observers.
I love the Robin hood badge. I carried my son all over town on the back of a Robin hood three speed.
52telecaster is offline  
Old 03-29-22, 01:19 PM
  #18  
juvela
Senior Member
 
juvela's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,318
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3780 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times in 2,145 Posts
-----

thanks for the kind word but the front mech posted the catalogue page for is a Freres Huret item rather than a Juy (simplex) one


-----
juvela is online now  
Old 03-29-22, 01:40 PM
  #19  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by juvela
-----

thanks for the kind word but the front mech posted the catalogue page for is a Freres Huret item rather than a Juy (simplex) one---
Mine is allegedly was bought in '67. Its equipped with Huret. Front and rear.
swampyankee2 is offline  
Old 03-29-22, 03:15 PM
  #20  
Slowride79
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Hitsville USA
Posts: 313

Bikes: 50s, 60s, 70s Nottingham/Worksop bikes, becanes, Gitane, Bertin, Lion of Sochaux

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times in 75 Posts
Originally Posted by juvela
-----

thanks for the kind word but the front mech posted the catalogue page for is a Freres Huret item rather than a Juy (simplex) one


-----
oops ! Correction made😉
Slowride79 is offline  
Old 04-03-22, 05:33 PM
  #21  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
started disassembly of the rear wheel. The freewheel is an "Atom made in France". With a small aluminum dork disk marked Huret. It felt pretty gritty so I pulled the freewheel apart and found one of the ratchet pawls has a chip out of it. I'm a bit disappointed, but since the rim shows wear from the brakes and the front rim appears to be a replacement, I'm thinking of finding a donor bike, possibly a Raleigh Grand Prix or similar, for a serviceable set of 27"aluminum rims.
I've already swapped out the steel brake calipers and levers for Dia Comp aluminum, so it won't be a purist bike.
It's a bit of a dilemma. It's a unique vintage bike, yet not terribly valuable. I like it enough to upgrade it, but how much original character should I keep and how much should I upgrade to make it rideable?
swampyankee2 is offline  
Likes For swampyankee2:
Old 04-03-22, 07:52 PM
  #22  
Slowride79
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Hitsville USA
Posts: 313

Bikes: 50s, 60s, 70s Nottingham/Worksop bikes, becanes, Gitane, Bertin, Lion of Sochaux

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times in 75 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
started disassembly of the rear wheel. The freewheel is an "Atom made in France". With a small aluminum dork disk marked Huret. It felt pretty gritty so I pulled the freewheel apart and found one of the ratchet pawls has a chip out of it. I'm a bit disappointed, but since the rim shows wear from the brakes and the front rim appears to be a replacement, I'm thinking of finding a donor bike, possibly a Raleigh Grand Prix or similar, for a serviceable set of 27"aluminum rims.
I've already swapped out the steel brake calipers and levers for Dia Comp aluminum, so it won't be a purist bike.
It's a bit of a dilemma. It's a unique vintage bike, yet not terribly valuable. I like it enough to upgrade it, but how much original character should I keep and how much should I upgrade to make it rideable?
I would say upgrade all you want but keep all the old parts in a clearly marked box. How about Al wheel set and upgraded brakes and leave the rest?

Last edited by Slowride79; 04-03-22 at 08:10 PM.
Slowride79 is offline  
Old 04-04-22, 05:45 AM
  #23  
swampyankee2 
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: RI
Posts: 341

Bikes: '08 Specialized Sirrus, '92 Trek 820, '72 Raleigh Sports, 60? Fongers single speed, '72 Dawes Galaxy, '67 Robin Hood Lenton Sports

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Liked 140 Times in 95 Posts
Originally Posted by Slowride79
I would say upgrade all you want but keep all the old parts in a clearly marked box. How about Al wheel set and upgraded brakes and leave the rest?
That's what I'm thinking. There are a few $50 mid-70's bikes for sale that I could harvest the parts from. I don't think the bike really needs or is worth installing top-level components. What should I look for as far as decent wheels for this bike?
swampyankee2 is offline  
Likes For swampyankee2:
Old 04-04-22, 02:00 PM
  #24  
1989Pre 
Standard Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,216

Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1280 Post(s)
Liked 891 Times in 470 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
I like it enough to upgrade it, but how much original character should I keep and how much should I upgrade to make it rideable?
Well, you mentioned touring. If you plan on packing a lot of stuff for a big trip, hit it with all the aluminum that you want. If you're just going to ride it near-by, under 20 miles, think about leaving the steel. In my opinion, the steel components have a smoother function. In '67, Britain was making some nice alloy brake sets, bars and stem, so you can have authenticity and performance, too.
1989Pre is offline  
Likes For 1989Pre:
Old 04-04-22, 02:02 PM
  #25  
1989Pre 
Standard Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 4,216

Bikes: 1948 P. Barnard & Son, 1962 Rudge Sports, 1963 Freddie Grubb Routier, 1980 Manufrance Hirondelle, 1983 F. Moser Sprint, 1989 Raleigh Technium Pre, 2001 Raleigh M80

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1280 Post(s)
Liked 891 Times in 470 Posts
Originally Posted by swampyankee2
What should I look for as far as decent wheels for this bike?
Some nice Atom hubs on Wolber rims.
1989Pre is offline  
Likes For 1989Pre:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.