Classic & Vintage - Mystery Raleigh Sprite

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Henry III
01-07-12, 08:13 PM
I'm picking up this what I'm guessing is a Sprite tomorrow but can't figure out what year it is. The color scheme throws me off as all I see available in the Sprites were Bronze Green and a Burgundy from the time frame I think it's from. Nothing I've seen in orange with a white panel on the head tube. I've gone through the 1968-1978 catalogs and have come up empty handed. Appears older but the saddle I believe came stock on some of the later models.
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd445/dmedearis2/2011-09-19161552.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd445/dmedearis2/2011-09-19161601.jpg
http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd445/dmedearis2/2011-09-19161609.jpg

I was also debating on picking this up but I'm at odds. It's a woman's Carlton that looks to be in pretty decent condition. Though unless I toss them on top of my car I'm only fitting one in the back of my little Audi A4 wagon. Decisions...decisions...
http://images.craigslist.org/5Y15Ff5S33Fb3pd3lebch9e09c982eaf91bb4.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5Y05Z15F93kd3F23p6bchb9fa6b1abc971416.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/5Fd5P15S03F13pa3labch176493ae631518b7.jpg

sailorbenjamin
01-07-12, 09:10 PM
Very interesting bikes. I wonder of that orange one came from Canada or something like that. That shifter is cool. And it looks like a 23" frame, too!
That Carlton makes me wish I had a tall wife..who liked to ride bikes.
photogravity
01-07-12, 09:14 PM
Are the wheels 26" or 27"? To my eye, I'm not inclined to think it is a Sprite because the wheels like like they are 26x1-3/8 and the fenders of Sprites of that era didn't have the peak on them like the Sports did. Interesting looking bike nonetheless. I'd grab it because it is different. Same with the Carlton. There just aren't that many stateside, which makes it more unique atmo.

Henry III
01-07-12, 09:19 PM
The guy I'm picking them up from used to run a bike shop and got this as a trade in but closed down last year. He's just trying to get rid of some bikes he's got in a storage unit. Their from two different people but can probably get both for 200 or lower. The guy with the men's Raleigh is pretty open to offers talking to him. I'm checking out the Cyclocross nationals in Madison tomorrow to watch the pro races and just seeing if there was anything worth picking up while I was down there for the day.