Did Raleigh make Sports with fenders that don't match the frame color?
10-24-12, 08:01 AM
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Did Raleigh make Sports with fenders that don't match the frame color?
I found a 1954 Humber Sports in dark blue, but with cream colored fenders that also have the Humber logo on the tail. I see a few 1950s Humbers on the web with non-matching fenders (all cream colored), but most are with matching fenders. But I cannot find any catalog pictures or explanations that the two tone coloring is original. I want to fully restore this, but am trying to decide if I should shop for matching fenders or whether I've already got the originals! 
Thanks!
Thanks!
10-24-12, 08:13 AM
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Would a '54 Humber be a Raleigh already?
Need pictures.
If the colors seem to co-ordinate, they could be original.
Need pictures.
If the colors seem to co-ordinate, they could be original.
10-24-12, 09:00 AM
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I have a 1967 AMF Hercules with chrome fenders, but that doesn't count, does it?
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10-24-12, 09:08 AM
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58' Chrome mudguards with grey paint
57' White with red (although it's really a roadster)
63
From Kurt's Headbadge, the 54 junior Sports...
https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_cat_can54.html#
57' White with red (although it's really a roadster)
63
From Kurt's Headbadge, the 54 junior Sports...
https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_cat_can54.html#
10-24-12, 09:11 AM
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Here is a picture of the bike. The fenders appear to have the same degree of wear, and definitely have the full Humber logo on the rear fender. What's cool about the older fenders is that the fender stays are adjustable so you can get a nice fit around the tire. When I google Humber Sports pictures from the 1950s, there are definitely a few with cream fenders on dark painted frames. I kind of wish these fenders did match the blue paint, but maybe these cream fenders would look great with cream tires??? Everything else seems original to the bike except the grips. It should clean up nicely.
Thanks for any comments on whether these fenders are likely original!
10-24-12, 09:49 AM
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Metallic fenders I presume?
Those fenders are originally a white, creamy color and from what I understand came (perhaps as an option?) with the sportier models.
Those fenders are originally a white, creamy color and from what I understand came (perhaps as an option?) with the sportier models.
10-24-12, 10:22 AM
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I have also seen those chrome fenders (and chainguards) on Hercules bikes from the 60s.
Thanks for everyone's comments and examples here. Looks like there were definitely some original cream fenders contrasting with the frame colors. I guess I'll clean these up and keep them original!
10-24-12, 10:23 AM
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I don't know! I'm inclined to think those fenders came from another bike, solely because the chain guard isn't the same color as the fenders. I've seen one or two other bikes of this type (not Humber or Raleigh, though) that had cream colored fenders and chain guard.
But that said, I repeat that I don't know.
Why do you ask? Even if the cream colored fenders are wrong, they're great. I wouldn't change them if I was sure, and I don't think I could ever be sure anyway.
I wonder if you can find old Humber catalogs....
But that said, I repeat that I don't know.
Why do you ask? Even if the cream colored fenders are wrong, they're great. I wouldn't change them if I was sure, and I don't think I could ever be sure anyway.
I wonder if you can find old Humber catalogs....
10-24-12, 11:30 AM
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The 1954 Junior Sports catalog page link that Clubman posted is pretty convincing that Raleigh was using the white enamel mudguards on some dark colored frames in 1954. Thanks, Clubman!
And RHM - I was asking because I am intending to do an original restore as best I can, and at first I thought those looked unattractive, but they're growing on me! Especially now that I know they are probably original and will clean up to a creamy white.
And RHM - I was asking because I am intending to do an original restore as best I can, and at first I thought those looked unattractive, but they're growing on me! Especially now that I know they are probably original and will clean up to a creamy white.
10-24-12, 11:53 AM
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White steel fenders on a Raleigh produced after the mid-1960's is generally a good indication of a Canadian-market model.
-Kurt
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10-24-12, 12:13 PM
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Maybe it's just me, but I think the two tone looks classier than everything all matched up.
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10-24-12, 02:33 PM
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I bet they are original based on these observations:
Humber Logo
Patina matches the bike
Looks like they belong
Because rhm is inclined to think otherwise
Then again, I have no idea...but they sure look the part.
Kinda reminds me of the Bill Blass Continentals from the late 70's
Humber Logo
Patina matches the bike
Looks like they belong
Because rhm is inclined to think otherwise
Then again, I have no idea...but they sure look the part.
Kinda reminds me of the Bill Blass Continentals from the late 70's
Last edited by Velognome; 10-24-12 at 02:39 PM.
10-24-12, 03:14 PM
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I have seen chrome, white and black fenders on some Ralieghs that where original and didn't match the paint.
10-24-12, 03:18 PM
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10-24-12, 04:14 PM
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Thank you. My research indicates that Raleigh bought Humber in 1932 and continued producing Humber bikes through about 1970. I believe many of the other brands that Raleigh acquired through its parent Tube Investments occured around 1960.
Here is a picture of the bike. The fenders appear to have the same degree of wear, and definitely have the full Humber logo on the rear fender. What's cool about the older fenders is that the fender stays are adjustable so you can get a nice fit around the tire. When I google Humber Sports pictures from the 1950s, there are definitely a few with cream fenders on dark painted frames. I kind of wish these fenders did match the blue paint, but maybe these cream fenders would look great with cream tires??? Everything else seems original to the bike except the grips. It should clean up nicely.
Thanks for any comments on whether these fenders are likely original!
Here is a picture of the bike. The fenders appear to have the same degree of wear, and definitely have the full Humber logo on the rear fender. What's cool about the older fenders is that the fender stays are adjustable so you can get a nice fit around the tire. When I google Humber Sports pictures from the 1950s, there are definitely a few with cream fenders on dark painted frames. I kind of wish these fenders did match the blue paint, but maybe these cream fenders would look great with cream tires??? Everything else seems original to the bike except the grips. It should clean up nicely.
Thanks for any comments on whether these fenders are likely original!
10-24-12, 05:08 PM
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They are whiter than they appear in that photo due to 1) lighting, and 2) the yellowish color is weathering that I hope will polish out to the original lighter color that i can see peeking out from under the fork crown.
10-24-12, 06:14 PM
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I found a 1954 Humber Sports in dark blue, but with cream colored fenders that also have the Humber logo on the tail. I see a few 1950s Humbers on the web with non-matching fenders (all cream colored), but most are with matching fenders. But I cannot find any catalog pictures or explanations that the two tone coloring is original. I want to fully restore this, but am trying to decide if I should shop for matching fenders or whether I've already got the originals!
Thanks!
Thanks!
In a word; YES! Humber did offer white fenders/mud guards as can be seen in this catalog page scan:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7624834417280/
Here are a couple of links where you should be able to download early 1950's Humber catalogs; both the Cycle Museum https://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/ and the Veteran-Cycle Club https://www.v-cc.org.uk/ are located in the UK.
Follow this link to my own '54 Humber Sports restoration project: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7624834417280/
Last edited by gbalke; 10-24-12 at 06:22 PM.
10-24-12, 06:38 PM
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10-24-12, 06:43 PM
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They're everywhere...51 catalogue. And look mom, no spokes!
10-24-12, 07:34 PM
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10-24-12, 09:06 PM
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Hoobikes,
In a word; YES! Humber did offer white fenders/mud guards as can be seen in this catalog page scan:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7624834417280/
Here are a couple of links where you should be able to download early 1950's Humber catalogs; both the Cycle Museum https://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/ and the Veteran-Cycle Club https://www.v-cc.org.uk/ are located in the UK.
Follow this link to my own '54 Humber Sports restoration project: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stl914/...7624834417280/
10-25-12, 05:26 AM
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Ha, gbalke, your 1954 photos were some of the few I was referring to in the original post where I mentioned I had seen some cream colored fenders on dark colored Humbers... should've known you'd active here! Nice resto job! Joining the V-CC sounds like a good idea. They have a 53 and a 57 Humber catalog. Thank you!
Personally, I would clean & polish what you have. That Humber is a keeper.
Last edited by gbalke; 10-25-12 at 05:32 AM.
10-29-12, 03:07 PM
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Here is a full close-up photo set before any restoration. All original parts except for the grips.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7697449...7631882689829/
Here's the closeup of the fender weathering effect on the original color:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7697449...57631882689829
Thanks for everyone's help here. I'll post some after pics, but it may be a while. I have about 5 bikes queued up in my stable.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7697449...7631882689829/
Here's the closeup of the fender weathering effect on the original color:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7697449...57631882689829
Thanks for everyone's help here. I'll post some after pics, but it may be a while. I have about 5 bikes queued up in my stable.
10-29-12, 05:47 PM
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Amazing what a little effort has done to the fenders. Can't wait to see the entire bike after it has been cleaned and polished. Good luck with the restoration.