Gentleman's Raleigh 4-speed (c.1950s maybe?) - Dating and valuation
 

Hello all. :)

My granddad has asked me to find out some information about one of his old bikes (he's a bit of a technophobe), specifically the dating and valuation but also any other interesting tidbits if anyone has any.

I've had a look at the sites in the sticky but it didn't really help as I can't seem to find any numbers on the frame, I thought this might be a good place to go to get some help with it.

Here is the bike:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243469
There's some stuff written on the wheel hub too (could 58 8 be August 1958?) but when I looked it up seems the Sturmy Archer hub wasn't necessarily made the same time as the rest of the bike anyway so I'm not sure if it helps. Here it is anyway:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243470

Thanks very much for any help.
Dan.

Update:
Here is a picture of the bikes gear switch which I think dates 1956 onwards.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=243957

Also I never mentioned before, but I am in the UK.

28" tire size?

Nice large size bike.

You can take a look around at this site...

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/roadster.html

That's a good looking bike.

Yes, that's a date on the hub; but as you suggest the hub isn't necessarily original to the bike.

If you find a serial number you can compare it to those cataloged on The Headbadge; the data is a bit thin but I've found it to be reliable.

Also, take a look at the trigger shifter on the handlebar, and compare it to those cataloged in this article. This will give you an approximate date of the trigger shifter. Between the hub, the trigger, and the serial number, you should have three dates. If they don't agree, you have to approach the data logically; but If either trigger or hub date agrees with the frame date, I'd assume that's approximately the vintage of the bike.

As for value... sadly this kind of bike is a bit hard to sell. One in such good condition as this would probably be offered around $300 in my area, but I don't know if it would sell at that price.

The bike is 1958 or a year newer, most likely. As for value, in that condition and fitted with those accessories, I would say that $500.00+ USD would be conservative. I would not pay that much, but I bet at least one other person would be happy to, given the opportunity to do so.

I agree great looking bike!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...9&d=1333304060

Cheers for all the replies everyone, and sorry for the slow response. You've been very helpful with lots of questions and I've had to get a chance to measure and whatnot. Heh.

@cycleheimer@rhm@randyjawa@Bianchigirll@Anyone interested
As best I can measure the bike frame is 23inch so it may match the one on this page, 17 down: http://www.cambridgeclassicbikes.co.uk/Bikes-weve-Sold (a green 4-speed, I know 17 down is a pain, sorry). I'm going to contact them and ask about the bike soon if I can't find any similar, nearer, company.

Phew, long post. Cheer again everyone for your replies, it's been quite enlightening already. :)

Raleigh Superbe, considered by some to be the Rolls Royce of bicycles. Plus you have a lot of accessories that often go missing after so much time. I'm curious to know if the Dyno hub and battery pack still work. In "bike-friendly" cities in the US like Portland or Boston I imagine you could easily get $300 for this. Is there a similar market in London for vintage bikes?

Hi BluesDaddy.
I'm afraid I'm not in a position to check right now as I'm away from home, but my granddad did say the dyno and bulb work. The battery pack however is missing - there's just an empty tube where one should be. Hopefully it'll turn up when my granddad is done cleaning his garage.

As for the London vintage bike market - I'm really not sure. That's part of my problem in valuing it. Heh.

Also in England, in fact East Anglia.I have owned and sold several of this vintage Raleigh, The desirable ones have Stainless Steel wheels,
I bought a '51 Ladies 4 speed Hub Dynamo with Stainless wheels only this week.
Gave £30 on Ebay reason for low price Repainted and lots of Rust. However I fitted new tube in front wheel and sold bike yesterday doubled my outlay..
Last year I had a near mint condition Gents Raleigh 3 speed "Superbe" sold it for £120 bought for £100. also sold a pair of Stainless Steel Wheels for £65 + £ 15 postage. Good luck.

Hi, hut27.

Cheers for the reply, good to hear it as I'm pretty sure these wheels are stainless steel (I will have to check of course). It's also original paint I think and has a little bit of rust in places (such as underneath the gear switch) but is pretty good by my eye.

Do you do your selling via ebay, paper ads, etc.? I'm not in a position to sell it right now, as of a couple of days ago I'm back to uni, but I would still like to know which is best for later.

And thanks, luck's always handy. :lol:

Vintage Raleighs
 

hello again, I sell on ebay and out the front of my Bungalow.
If the wheels are Stainless Steel its written on them. There was a pair just sold on Sunday ,StainlessWheels and 4 Speed Hub For a whopping £120 + £12 postage had 16 bids. They were immaculate though, I got £65 for the pair I sold + £12 shipping.

Wow, sounds like a good sell. I'll have to look into it when I'm home and see if maybe I can follow in your footsteps a bit. :lol:

Cheers again for the replies everyone, have found some interesting things through you all and maybe I will be back again later on, after deadlines, if I find anything I think might be interesting.
Cheers. :)