Classic & Vintage - Looking for info on an old Raleigh bike

This past weekend, I pulled some of the old family bikes out of storage. I am interested in finding out more about my first bike...

It was made by Raleigh, and has a logo on the chain guard, "Rampar". It has 20" wheels, fenders, a black oblong seat, coaster brakes, blue paint finish, high handlebars (I don't know the proper way to refer to them), and is a single speed. I called it a dirt bike when I was a kid, but I guess it could be referred to in other ways. Can anyone point me in a good direction for finding more info about this bike? It would be nice to refurbish it, but will require a full re-plating of all the chrome, which has deteriorated substantially.

There were two other bikes...one was my Mom's... "Columbia Sports III" is painted on the chain guard. It is white, white fenders with black stripes, the rims have a design stamped into the metal, three-speeed. It is probably over 30 years old. My dad's...a green Sears touring bike made in Austria, in very good condition, the rims also have a decorative metal design, 27" tires, chrome fenders, rear rack, altenburger brakes. Not sure if these are worth anything...

Any info on these bikes or pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks.

This past weekend, I pulled some of the old family bikes out of storage. I am interested in finding out more about my first bike...

It was made by Raleigh, and has a logo on the chain guard, "Rampar". It has 20" wheels, fenders, a black oblong seat, coaster brakes, blue paint finish, high handlebars (I don't know the proper way to refer to them), and is a single speed. I called it a dirt bike when I was a kid, but I guess it could be referred to in other ways. Can anyone point me in a good direction for finding more info about this bike? It would be nice to refurbish it, but will require a full re-plating of all the chrome, which has deteriorated substantially.

There were two other bikes...one was my Mom's... "Columbia Sports III" is painted on the chain guard. It is white, white fenders with black stripes, the rims have a design stamped into the metal, three-speeed. It is probably over 30 years old. My dad's...a green Sears touring bike made in Austria, in very good condition, the rims also have a decorative metal design, 27" tires, chrome fenders, rear rack, altenburger brakes. Not sure if these are worth anything...

Any info on these bikes or pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks.


The more detailed, informative replies will come from others later, but here is what I can tell you....

The Rampar is a low-level Raleigh badge, most likely made of Hi-Tensile steel (or as we call it, gaspipe) Heavy but sturdy. It isn't worth much in monetary terms, and IMO you'd have to have a real fondness for that particular bike to even consider spending a lot of cash on it to restore.

The Columbia is a late 60's-mid 70's bike, made in Masachusetts, and not worth too much. The last one I saw I bought for $5.00, but only because I knew someone that wanted it. Nice solid around-town grocery getter, but again made of heavy steel and not worth too much.

The Sears is interesting - I picked up a "Sears - Made in Austria" bike not too long ago, and the group consensus was that Austro-Damlier/Puch made these bikes for Sears. If you're going to choose one of the three to clean up and ride, this would be my choice. Mine has cottered cranks and Weinmann brakes, with Simplex derailluers. See this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=107657

John D.

Well, of all the bikes the Sears one has held up the best. A restoration wouldn't take too much more than getting it ready to ride. My dad and I were pretty surprised how well it survived in comparison to the other bikes.