Robin Hood Lenton Sports?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
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?
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.
#2
Phyllo-buster
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.
The later gold Lentons are likely Hi Tensile and came in 3, 5, and 10 speeds builds.
Likes For clubman:
#3
1991 PBP Anciens
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.
In it's current livery and configuration.
Likes For bikamper:
#4
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.
Likes For nlerner:
#5
1991 PBP Anciens
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
#6
Full Member
Thread Starter
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.
Likes For swampyankee2:
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
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.
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.
#8
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
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
Last edited by Slowride79; 03-29-22 at 03:14 PM.
#9
Full Member
Thread Starter
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
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
#10
1991 PBP Anciens
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.
#11
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.
#12
Full Member
Thread Starter
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?
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.
#13
1991 PBP Anciens
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.
#14
1991 PBP Anciens
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.
#15
Full Member
Thread Starter
#16
1991 PBP Anciens
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
#17
ambulatory senior
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
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.
#18
Senior Member
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
-----
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
-----
#19
Full Member
Thread Starter
#21
Full Member
Thread Starter
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'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?
Likes For swampyankee2:
#22
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
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'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?
Last edited by Slowride79; 04-03-22 at 08:10 PM.
#23
Full Member
Thread Starter
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?
Likes For swampyankee2:
#24
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
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.
Likes For 1989Pre:
#25
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