Classic & Vintage - 1950's Raleigh Cruiser. Worth picking this one up ?

I've always liked the look of these old style cruisers from back in the day.

I stumbled across one about 2 hours from me and might look at it on Wednesday. Looks to be in excellent condition for its age.

Are these worth picking up ?

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0035_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0025_001.jpg

I'm on a roll this week ! :innocent:

Very nice. Would depend on price, of course.

Nice looking bike... but it is a 70's model in what appears to be awesome condition.

These old Raleigh roadsters are becoming increasingly valuable, provided they are made in England. I have sold them for as much as $350.00 and as little as $80.00 or so. Your bike looks to be in good condition and should prove to offer a nice enough ride while increasing in value. Good bike and good investment.

Awesome to hear.

I did a little research, and you guys are correct. The seller is under the impression it is a 50's era bike. Its coming from an estate sale (original owner) and I guess the person selling it is the landskeeper or something of that sort.

Price....Very reasonable. I'll post it up once the bike is in my possession. :)

Hard to tune up?

English three speeds are not that difficult to keep although they do have some little quirks you need to be aware of.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html

I think Sturmey Archer stamps the year of manufacturer right into the shell of the rear hub. Maybe someone will come along and confirm that.

My guess is 1970s.

1978 if I was forced to pin it down.

Dan

looks to be a good bike I am a terribly cheap guy and wouldn't go higher than say $200 for this one

yes it is worth picking up they make great towne bikes and they look snazzy with a picnic basket and lady in tow

Awesome to hear.

I did a little research, and you guys are correct. The seller is under the impression it is a 50's era bike. Its coming from an estate sale (original owner) and I guess the person selling it is the landskeeper or something of that sort.

Price....Very reasonable. I'll post it up once the bike is in my possession. :)

Hard to tune up?

No, not hard. Depends on how far you wish to go. You might put air in the tires and oil in the hub and away you go. Hardest part is getting the cottered cranks off, assuming you want to overhaul the bottom bracket.

Sixty Fiver is correct; it's a 70's-vintage bike. The self-adjusting brakes are a giveway:

http://sheldonbrown.com/raleigh.html

I'd say '73-'74, judging from the Raleigh Logo on the chainguard. The stamp on the SA is the best gauge, though I can't read mine and can barely read the 72-8 on my wife's (ours are sideways from how they normally look).

The Brooks saddle looks to be in excellent shape--those can cost over $100, so worth at least that.

Look carefully at the 3 rivet holes in the nose of the saddle. That's where these tend to blow out.
The self adjusting brakes aren't very tolerant of out of true wheels.
Otherwise it looks to be a nice bike. Are those Dunlop double stripe tires? Very cool but sometimes rot from the inside out (cotton cording, I think).
Solid bike. I've had several. Love them.

Get it if its priced $100 or under. The frame condition is remarkable, though the brightwork looks a bit pitted on the bars.

It is a 1966-1972, incidentally; and as it has the self-adjusting brake levers that were supposed to debut in 1973, I'd wager that it is a '72, or an early '73 that was fitted with leftover decals of the previous year.

-Kurt

The hub shell will be dated with a production year and this will either match the year of the bike or in some cases may be from a previous year's hub production.

The self adjusting brakes place the bike as being a 1973- 75 model as these brake levers were not used for very long.

Okay, Okay. I'll fold.

He's asking $200.

Going to pick it up Wednesday. Here are some more pics.

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0032_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0033_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0029_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0027_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0036_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0037_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0038_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0039_001.jpg

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/jaybardee/DSC_0026_001.jpg

It looks good for a Raleigh Sports. Everything looks original, including the B-72. The B-66 came standard on the Superbe.

The self adjusting brakes place the bike as being a 1973- 75 model as these brake levers were not used for very long.

Not with those decals. Incidentally, the self-adjusters lasted until 1976.

I'm wagering 1972 or extremely early 1973.

-Kurt

P.S.: $200 is too much. $150 max with that amount of pitting on the chrome.

Is pitting on chrome removable somehow?

Is pitting on chrome removable somehow?

You can polish using something like Simichrome (http://www.velo-orange.com/simepo1.html) really deep pits aren't going to come out.

I would go $200 on that bike in my area, especially seeing how it is the taller frame (23") which are harder to find.

Aaron:)

Oxalic acid, bronze wool, Never Dull - all will take surface rust off, but to what extent the rust is surface is my concern - anything below the chrome will leave pitted spots.

-Kurt

I'd agree that $200.00 would be a good price for that bike... the Brooks saddle appears to be in great shape and adds to the value of the bike.

Is pitting on chrome removable somehow?

There are many methods on removing rust and corrosion from chrome--search on oxalic acid or rust and see what you get. The chrome on my wife's wheels looks worse than that, so I may have to Scothbrite them smooth.

I'm thinking $200 seems a bit high, but I have no idea what Raleighs sell for in your area, or how likely you are to find another relatively clean one.

It's hard to see in the pictures, but it looks like the wheels are 32/40 spoke, which would make me guess it's from '73, as I think they switched to 36/36 sometime around there.

It's hard to see in the pictures, but it looks like the wheels are 32/40 spoke, which would make me guess it's from '73, as I think they switched to 36/36 sometime around there.

The switch to 36/36 on the Sports happened in 1973 (the DL-1's also became 36/40 that year).

-Kurt

Not with those decals. Incidentally, the self-adjusters lasted until 1976.

I'm wagering 1972 or extremely early 1973.

-Kurt

P.S.: $200 is too much. $150 max with that amount of pitting on the chrome.

I agree. $200 is top dollar. I'd pay that if it was 50's, in good shape, and I was going to actually ride it. 70's bikes are a dime a dozen. I'd go $100 - IF I knew someone who needed one.

$50, I'd run down and pick it up.

I agree. $200 is top dollar. I'd pay that if it was 50's, in good shape, and I was going to actually ride it.

Though a genuine '50s machine in good shape often brings more then $200.

-Kurt

Find out today the seller also has the matchin "hers" bike in the same condition. Even has the child seat.

Do you folks think buying the set would add to the resale value ?

So you are picking these up so you can flip them ?

Questions like this belong in the appraisals section.

Not to flip them.

I"m talking about the overall resale value.

I plan on keeping it, riding it, but when having more than one of anything you start to consider the resale value of it as opposed to the personal interest.

I have no problem buying the men's one. But having a "hers' bike just sit there taking up space, which I am not going to ride, I have to consider the resale value of it for future reference.

I plan on keeping it, riding it, but when having more than one of anything you start to consider the resale value of it as opposed to the personal interest.

That doesn't make sense.


I have no problem buying the men's one. But having a "hers' bike just sit there taking up space, which I am not going to ride, I have to consider the resale value of it for future reference.

That doesn't make sense either. Why consider the a ladies' model if you already have a negative attitude towards owning it? It makes no sense to put a men's/ladies' set together "just because." Purchase only what you definitely want for yourself, and no more. Otherwise, you'll end up regretting (and re-selling) the ladies' DL22L later on.

-Kurt

Not to flip them.

I"m talking about the overall resale value.

I plan on keeping it, riding it, but when having more than one of anything you start to consider the resale value of it as opposed to the personal interest.

I have no problem buying the men's one. But having a "hers' bike just sit there taking up space, which I am not going to ride, I have to consider the resale value of it for future reference.

Lady's bikes tend to fetch less than men's models but in very nice tuned up shape might fetch $160.00 or even a little more in my neighbourhood.

A matched pair MIGHT be worth something to somebody IF that was what they were looking for. But I would not expect them to command much of a premium price above what the individual models would sell for. I have a matched pair of Raleigh Twentys that should be worth $750:innocent::roflmao2: (but I doubt anybody would be foolish enough to give me that for them:p)

I only buy bikes that I want and plan to use. If I manage to flip a few, that's okay too.

Go make an offer on the one(s) you want.

Aaron:)

Matched pairs don't seem to bring any more than individuals and this bike is common enough that another soul mate could be found if someone down the road wanted that. The trick is finding a couple that need exactly the size bikes you have.

In my opinion the 200$ tag is a laugh. they are to lazy to even put gear wire back right. It looks like they are going oh it's old it must be worth alot.

heres some of my sports below I think I spent 50$ on them thats new rubber for only one.

before spending alot I place ads in local ad sites saying i'm looking for whatever I want. though I got none of these from that. all but one are trash picked. lol

though if your planning on riding it and the wire aint broken and it just needs air 200$ would be alright I guess.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_1784.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_1735.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v309/demonic_inu/100_1676.jpg

I emailed the guy.

Basically telling him BF thinks his price sucks, and he needs to sell it to me for $35 bucks.

JK lol.

I did tell him the facts. He listed it as a 1950's (which is why I was under the impression it was). I told him the fact that although old, and in great condition, they are NOT as obsolete as a real 1950's model would be.

I told him I respect the fact he is out to make his money, but I told him I was not willing to pay more than $125 at most.

He seems like a genuine guy to begin with. In one of our back and forth email convos when I told him I would be down there Wednesday to pick it up, he says to me "I will be out of town, but would it be OK if you left the money in an envelope in my mailbox. I will leave the bike outside for you to look at........" :innocent:

Man, maybe it's the fact i'm from NYC and don't trust a nickel as far as I can spit but.......

If you want. I'm from ottawa. in ontario. if you can get here i'll sell you one of the brown ones I posted in picture for something like 50$. I love my sports but I like sharing. lol

where're the Brooks on the $50 ones?

The black seat is a brooks. and other one had no seat when I got it. I do I have alot of those black ones though. only one is 50$ the one with dyno generator is not for sale. thats my prized possetion and it aint even made in England but I like it none the less.

Im actually in Ontario a lot. lol. My father goes to Canada quite often for business......

:thumb:

Well i'll sell that Brown one with black seat for 50$ if you can pick it up, it's currently on it's stand with no front wheel. I have the wheel. just borrowing it for another bike lol. bike will also have no lights once bought. I like keeping them for the bikes I ride. though I might include others on it if I have them. other then that it's a compleat working bike in pretty good condition!

I emailed the guy.

Basically telling him BF thinks his price sucks, and he needs to sell it to me for $35 bucks.

JK lol.

I did tell him the facts. He listed it as a 1950's (which is why I was under the impression it was). I told him the fact that although old, and in great condition, they are NOT as obsolete as a real 1950's model would be.

I told him I respect the fact he is out to make his money, but I told him I was not willing to pay more than $125 at most.

He seems like a genuine guy to begin with. In one of our back and forth email convos when I told him I would be down there Wednesday to pick it up, he says to me "I will be out of town, but would it be OK if you left the money in an envelope in my mailbox. I will leave the bike outside for you to look at........" :innocent:

Man, maybe it's the fact i'm from NYC and don't trust a nickel as far as I can spit but.......

Ha, I've both bought and sold bikes that same way here in the SF Bay Area. Nice to be abke to still trust people. Things haven't gone all to hell like everyone is always saying..

I didn't mean to diss your potential bike...if you love something, no price is too high. I've bought a bunch of sketchy stuff I wouldn't admit to on this board! And I've seen bikes like that go for $300. I'm just saying, if you are bargain shopping, you can do better - especially in January.


Though a genuine '50s machine in good shape often brings more then $200.

-Kurt

Except for my Competition, I've never paid more than $200 for any of the bikes in my signature. But I'd never sell any of them for anywhere near that cheap... I agree, a nice, unmolested 50's 3 Speed is worth more.

Except for my Competition, I've never paid more than $200 for any of the bikes in my signature. But I'd never sell any of them for anywhere near that cheap... I agree, a nice, unmolested 50's 3 Speed is worth more.

Sure, you can get them cheap, but eBay prices are ridiculous for near-mint Sports that have intact chaincases and all the trimmings - or should I say Superbes, rather.

-Kurt

Did you pick up one or both bikes?

As much as I wanted to, I passed on one/both.

I emailed the guy telling him that the bike was NOT a 50's era bike, giving him all the facts that were mentioned here pinpointing the time frame the bike is from and I asked him to lower the price to about $125 - $150.

He didn't want to budge. Oh well. His loss, not mine because I ended up picking up this gem isntead:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190327427302&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Good move. If you want a 50's three speed, wait until you find exactly what you want. They are out there!