CardiacKid

I never thought I had any interest in having a vintage 3 speed, but then I saw an ad for this 1969 Raleigh Sports and remembered that there is a neighbor kid who really wants to buy my Trek 5000. This will give me an excuse to sell it to him.
I will be picking it up tomorrow. I will post better pictures then. I have bought other bikes from this seller and he tells me it is in outstanding condition. Does $175 sound reasonable. A completed auction search on Ebay indicates that is about right.
Is there something I should be looking for, specifically, to confirm its condition other then what I would normally look for in a vintage lightweight? As best I can tell, it is original, down to the Dunlop tires (or should I say tyres).

roseskunk

hey congratulations! i love these bikes. i paid 200 for my green sports that was in really great shape, and 75 for a cream-colored one that has history to it. they're great rides and the hubs are indestructible. that saddle looks terrific too!

let me know if you ever get tired of her...

kpug505

$175 seems like a good deal to me! It usually seems like only the shift cable will go bad. Maybe a shifter if someone tried to force it when the cable did go bad. Gotta love that Brooks B-72! A little proofide and some elbo grease and it will last for ever and be super comfy! Great bike! Great find!

jcm

For $175 it should be nearly spotless and free of any dents or bent sheet metal. The pics are a little fuzzy. Is that a newer brooks 72 with the pre-aged treatment, or is it an original? If it's a new one that would be a better reason for the price. Nice rides, those 3 bangers. One of the most comfortable bikes I have ever ridden.

ricohman

I like it. Green/black 3-speeds are awsome. They look so British.
I don't know why I'm drawn to these bikes. Maybe the simplicity or the lack of expecations whenever I ride one of mine.
Great bikes for garage sales, getting the mail or even commuting.

CardiacKid

Well, I got the bike. It wasn't in what I would call outstanding condition. It was in better than average shape though. There are some minor scratches and dents in the fenders. I was able to negotiate a much better deal. I am cleaning it up right now and will post pictures soon.
The guy I bought it from is a nice old guy, probably in his early seventies. He brought his wife of about the same age with him. I assumed he was just a flipper like a lot of you, who hits the garage sales and thrift stores. However, he informed me that he has a "supplier" who sells him bikes. He doesn't actually do any work himself. He also told me he is going to be getting a Ladies Sports, next week, if I was interested. Should I be getting suspicious of this bike's provenance?

mparker326

No. I can't imagine that someone would be going around stealing old Raleigh's when there are all those cool looking mountain bikes about.

Nice bike. I've got a 62 that looks almost identical to yours.

jcm

With no obvious redflags, it's probably just an old couple who suppliments their meager retirement by a little wheeling and dealing. Does it shift well and does it slip into neutral when it's in third gear? Every 3-speed owner should have this website:

https://www.karrot.org/ascotto/three_...air_page1.html

John E

That is a great link. I have rebuilt a couple of Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hubs in years past, which I suppose would train me to be a qualified Ford Model T transmission rebuilder, as well.

John E

Concur. I really like dark green for these bikes, but black does look good, as well.

I commuted for a couple of years on a low-end Bianchi 10-speed which I had converted into a 3-speed coaster. I would not have wanted to do a long commute or a Velo Club La Grange ride with it, but it was kind of fun for knocking around West Los Angeles, and I never worried about theft when I parked it on the UCLA campus.

tolfan

I put a womans, sorry dropbar sport on ebay with $200 buy it now. It sold in like 4 hours. Reading this now I have to go pick up the green one sitting at the lbs for $20.