tsappenfield

I've had my heart set on acquiring a Raleigh DL-1 Tourist for a long time. I haven't been able to add one to my collection until now. There is a Raleigh Tourist up for auction on ebay I'm bidding on (It ends at 10:00 tonight), and I'm starting to get cold feet. The owner came upon this bike by accident and he admits that he knows nothing about vintage bikes. He had a no return policy. Here is what I know.
1. It has a standover height of 34".
2. It has 28" wheels.
3. From the posted pictures, it looks like it has never been ridden.

My problems with the bike are ...
1. I'm 5' 10" and my personal standover height is 32". I like to ride the vintage bikes I buy and restore. This bike sounds like a real "ball buster".
2. He has it advertised as a 70's Tourist. I asked him about the date on the SA hub and he found at 80, so I assume it is a 1980 model. I was hoping for something a little older.
3. It doesn't have a full chain guard (which I always wanted). I assume that I could purchase one from somewhere.
4. I know nothing about the condition of the bike, mechanically speaking.

Someone check ebay and give me an opinion.

TSapp

nlerner

You likely mean this one:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Raleigh-Tourist-...#ht_500wt_1062

Hard to tell fully from the pics, but it looks very clean and in good shape. It's already at $305, which seems crazy to me, but if it's your grail . . . ! I had a 24" frame Tourist, and fit it fine (I usually ride 58-60cm road bikes); the size down, 22", is too small for me.

Neal

wrk101

With the insane shipping on top of the bid activity, this bike is going to go way over market in this auction. Unless you can pick it up yourself, I would pass. It has enough bidding activity that it is likely to go significantly higher. Looks like two bidders are onto this one.

brianinc-ville

I, too, am 5'10"; my 24" DL-1 (also 1980) feels a little on the tall side, but only a little (though I now know that I "dress" right). And you'll love the extra height when you're towering above the surrounding traffic. There's nothing like it.

Chaincases are hard to find in the USA, but you can try Yellow Jersey, here.

The price seems a little steep to me, but then again it is in very good cosmetic shape. An older model would probably have a bit more cool factor, but the build quality will be about the same (maybe a metal shift trigger instead of plastic, but otherwise they didn't change much, parts-wise) and it's very unlikely that you'd find an older one in comparable condition.

cb400bill

Maybe this is the one for you. $75.

It is not that far from Akron to Kalamazoo....286 miles according to Google Maps.

https://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/bik/1867227723.html

gbalke

I have to agree with Bill on this; spending $75 for that '74 makes better sense that spending $300+ on the '80 model. Shipping should cost you no more than $100,so you're $$ ahead of the game, leaving you room in your budget for your full chain case.

perhaps a C&V member in Michigan could assist in getting the bike packaged correctly and shipped to you. Hmmm, anyone here from Michigan??

bikerosity57

Yes! That's the ONE!!!! get it! Get it NOW!!!!!!

randyjawa 

You will love the Raleigh Touriste. I found this one for $30.00 and a lady in Alaska bought it for $450.00 US plus $185.00 shipping. And she did so two years ago. All that said...

I did like the bike I found, even though it was a step through model. They ride like a luxury sedan, sort of, and are a hoot around town. Do not leave it unattended.

greengage

I've noticed that one on eBay with some shock and awe--can't understand the crazy shipping costs! I mean--the total will be over $500...seems like a lot, even for a shiny Tourist. There's another virtually identical one in Bloomington, IN that's just sitting there at $49 because they won't ship it--maybe you need a little road trip?

ColonelJLloyd 

I was hoping it wasn't the same one I found earlier in the week, but it was. It's not in Indiana, it's in Illinois. Too far from me in Louisville.

greengage

ooh--my bad. I assumed Indiana. In any case, I wonder whether they're regretting that no-ship thing The other one is up to $360 now--nuts!

terraskye

OP~ You should definitely get this one

Also you can get full chaincases either at

Cycles of Yesteryear

or
Yellow Jersey

I've been trying to source parts for my loop frame Tourist for a few weeks now Still a pickle with the kickstand issue but I have gotten some good suggestions and a secret for now source

Good Luck with whatever you decide....

tsappenfield

So anyhow, I am still without a Raleigh DL-1 Tourist this morning. My last bid was $355 and since I was planning on picking it up, I guess that wasn't too ridiculous considering what the bike ultimately sold for. The bike in Kalamazo on Craigslist must have sold. I haven't heard back from the person who had the post so I assume it's gone and just hasn't been removed. I'm going to search Craigslist within a 200 mile radius of Akron and see what comes up. I once had the ural for a website that you could use to find anything you desire from Craigslist within a desired region, radius, etc. I've lost it. Anyone know what the website is I'm talking about?

Terry

PS: Thanks to all who contributed their thoughts on this posting.

greengage

Since I can't resist a good hunt...have you called this guy? The ad is old so it could be long gone, but you never know...

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/1816902728.html

greengage

Or check out this mystery bike-- https://annarbor.craigslist.org/bik/1842868503.html

It says 28-inch wheels...

terraskye

This is what I love about the C&V'ers on BF, none of us are above enabling one another

gbalke

You can do a Google alert; https://www.google.com/alerts?hl=en&g...&cad=:s7:f2:v0:

Just type in "Raleigh Tourist for sale on Craigslist" in the top line, keep the defaults and enter your e-mail address.

You might also try this: https://www.bicyclebunker.com/listing...te=&s=&o=&p=27

JJPistols

thanks you jerkwads for posting every link on the web to a tourist and raising the prices overnight

cudak888 

Now that you've ruined the tone of the thread, is there anything else you'd like to do?

-Kurt

greengage

No kidding! I had no idea that we were so almightily powerful! And yeah--I'm so glad that we invented Google Alerts. I know that no one was using them before this thread appeared. Hmmm...what else can we turn our magic laser-beams on to magically raise the price?

randyjawa 

For what it is worth, I hate seeing negative comments like yours. And, in my humble opinion, this forum has little to do with raising the price of vintage bikes. The demand is simply increasing and the supply is diminishing (bikes tossed into the dump, wrecked, etc).

mkeller234

There was a tourist on craigslist in Cleveland just last week.... I snagged it! (evil laugh!) I didn't get mine cheap but try to be patient, they seem to pop up when you least expect them.

JJPistols

geez sorry I ruined the tone of thread for everybody

cb400bill

JJ you just punched the bus ticket to Ignoreland.

JJPistols

says a lot, your need to inform me I'm being ignored by someone I don't know






man, you guys are not a light-hearted bunch - maybe you should take up riding bicycles, I find it relaxing and enjoyable. myself




anyway, good luck OP finding your bike - everyone else, keep on smiling