Roll-Monroe-Co

Sorry. My comments were out of order. Not much to add, but, "Frank, you rock." What an awesome story, awesome bike. So well written too. I really appreciate your effort not only with the bike, but for the community.

ftwelder

I have my "wednesday loop" we should do at some point. We can hit several locations and you can meet Timmy the Hoarder. (Though, everytime I arrange for someone to meet Timmy he doesn't show, typical hoarder stunts)

I am afraid the handlebars are beyond my reach in practical terms but thanks a lot for the compliments. Writing is so-not my strength.

pastorbobnlnh 

This would be cool. I'll need to keep a Wednesday free.

I disagree about your writing. The opening post, is fantastic writing!

rhm

+1

I can see how such bendy handlebars would be a challenge... but think of the possibilities... a titanium lauterwasser bar? oh, man, I want that!

Frank, let's just assume we're all crazy enough to persuade you to do it, and you're crazy enough to listen to a bunch of nutjobs on the internet, okay? So, then... after making all the parts you'd need to bend TI into Lauterwasser bars, how many of them would you need to be able to sell, that it wouldn't be a complete waste of time?

There's one on ebay now, with a buy-it-now price over $400. Not that I'd pay that, even for a titanium one... but... but....

ftwelder

I am sure one of the repop houses are preparing to flood the market with Lauterwasser bars as we speak at a landed cost of $1.35 each. I know this landscape quite well. Thanks for thinking of me though.

rhm

Sigh. Yes, it is true that Soma has announced a Lauterwaser style bar, supposedly to enter the market this fall. But the photo they put on their blog is not encouraging; didn't get the swoop right. As far as availability goes... vaporware.

juliandorado

Hi there! I am new with Raleigh's. I just bought a restored Golden Arrow, i want to know the year of the bike. The problem seems that when they re-painted it the serial number vanished

I have some pictures and a serial number on the hundlebar, reads 479213. Can i know the year of the bike with that number? They told me it's from 1960 but i think its older. Any help will be useful!

I attach images in this post.

Thanks a lot,
Julian from Argentina.

ftwelder

Hi, Usually the serial numbers are also located on the seat lug. Many of the Golden Arrow examples discovered have been all different. For example, your has capped and brazed seat stays while mine has rivets. Also mine has fender stays fixed at the dropouts. Yours is typical of late 1930's. I think your handlebars are not Lauterwasser but something else.

sailorbenjamin

Frank! Good to see you, it's been a while.
Yes, those aren't the Lauterwassers that I know. I do remember those little fender brackets high up the stays and forks. Mine had little wingnuts holding the fenders on. Maybe you can see them in this picture.

photogravity

I'd really like to see some better pictures of the details on that bicycle. I agree with ftwelder about the bar, that it is not a Lauterwasser. The drop is far too deep, though it has a nice flare toward the ends of the bar. Also, the fender stays appear to have been replaced with more generic ones similar to those that are used on Schwinn bicycles.

What is the date stamp on the rear hub?

sailorbenjamin

Not exactly Lauterwassers, but fairly close and pretty sexy, to boot. Mine had a pretty tight bend in the middle and there wasn't really a good place to put your hands there. These look a little more comfy in that region.
I bet this bike came with celluloid fenders originally. They all broke eventually and I think these are replacements. Again, I like the look.

juliandorado

Hi there! Thanks for the big help from everyone. I will post some new pictures very soon.

The Rear reads No (number) 479213 - It was very similar to the one that Ftwelder posted on his first pictures of his golden arrow.

I attach this other picture i have.



Thanks again guys you are super helpful

pastorbobnlnh 

Love the wingnuts on the hubs! Is it a single speed or a fixed gear? I'm guessing it was originally a three speed like Frank's. Close pictures of the decals will help with narrowing the dates.

rhm

Julian, that is a gorgeous bike! I, too, am looking forward to more photos.

Can you tell us the wheel size? Another forum member from your part of the world, DocBilly I think, has a very interesting Raleigh from the 1940s; and it is pretty different from the Raleighs we are familiar with. I have a suspicion your Golden Arrow is not quite the same as the other Golden Arrows we've seen.

Photogravity, can you identify that handlebar? I'm thinking it's a Marsh bend. Very lovely, whatever it is.

PatrickZ

Having never seen an actual Lauterwasser or other variations of this type of handlebar, I am going with "highgate."

rhm

Yep, that's a possibility. A picture is worth a thousand words!

juliandorado

Amazing! Looks like a Highgate

What i know about the bike is that it was restored like 20 years ago, and that the changed the whole back wheel. The rest is original i think. Its has its original brooks saddle as well.

Another thing that i dont get yet is why it has those chain wheels and doesn't have the raleigh classic ones.

juliandorado

I finally have them! Good and lots of high quality pictures of my bike. Hope this helps with clarification on the year and to have a little more information about it.
The person who sell me the bike told me that it was bought around 1960, but i guess thats the time it arrived to Argentina, the bike was put together way after. What do you think guys? Thanks again, you rock

juliandorado

Some more!