Classic & Vintage - What size tire Raleigh 3-speed

I keep finding vintage bikes abandoned in my neighborhood. My latest find is a 1969 Raleigh 3-speed. It is a very small bike, smaller than the usual size. It might be a juvenile bike. The rim is stamped 4x1 3/8. I think that would be 24, not just 4, but there is a spoke where the 2 should be.

I looked at Sheldon Brown's site (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/index.html) but it confused me some. Does anyone have experience with this bike and know what size tires are appropriate?

pictures? chain guard? what model?

Isn't there a size marked on the tire itself?
Look for something Metric like 540 or 547x 32ish

With 24 inch sizes, like 26, there could be more than one size that could have the same markings, but not be interchangable. On a bike that old, there may not be an ISO size to go by. You will probably need to measure the rim to be sure, even if you find a size on the tire sidewall. See Sheldon Brown's articles:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rim-sizing.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

It is probably an old Colt or Space Rider.
The size is 24 x 1 3/8"

I got a new 24x1 3/8 tire in the basement. Let me know if you need it.

The tires are really worn. I cannot read anything on them. I'm not sure the model, either. Here are some pictures. I've put a full-sized bike next to it to show the difference.

The bike:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/3063427513_61771444d2.jpg

The bike next to a regular-sized bike. It seems smaller, but is it small enough to be a juvenile-sized bike?:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/3063427781_5c4017b7f9.jpg

Comparing the wheel sizes:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/3064265640_666e78ef04.jpg

24x1 3/8. Incidentally, I have a half million NOS spare Space Rider chainguards - I think I have a few that are identical to the present one on your Space Rider. Just thought I'd mention it, in case you are interested.

-Kurt

The red one is pretty cool too.

I would like to find on the the old 24" wheeled Colts. FWIW they were also available in the 26" wheeled size too.

Aaron:)

I would like to find on the the old 24" wheeled Colts. FWIW they were also available in the 26" wheeled size too.

I believe the Colt was the slope-back 26" model, while the Space Rider name was applied to the 24's.

-Kurt

I believe the Colt was the slope-back 26" model, while the Space Rider name was applied to the 24's.

-Kurt

Yup and the same name was used on the step through models too. I am sure the girls loved that!

Dianne, the 24" wheeled bike was for "tweens". According to the Retro Raleigh catalogs, they made a series of bikes in 20", 24", and 26" wheel sizes. Mountie, Space Rider, and the Colt. They are excellent bikes for someone that is on the short or small side. They are built just as well as their full sized counter parts.

Aaron:)