Just this weekend (23 September 2012) I've bought a 1952 Raleigh. Its a four-speed and Dynohub model, with rod brakes, locking fork, full chain case and known to be an ex-police bike. As a newcomer to old bikes (two days a newcomer at the time of writing) I have some questions! First, the bike appears to be a Superbe, but while the photos of other constabulary bikes I've seen of this era also look to be Superbes, the transfers/decals on them simply say Raleigh, not Superbe. I'm mindful that the bikes I've seen pictures of have all been restored and none are original.

Secondly, while there are plenty of magazines for old cars, old trucks and old aeroplanes, etc, covering what's what and how to fix/restore them, there doesn't seem to be any publication on similar lines like for old bikes - in particular, I mean the common-or-garden, bread-and-butter bikes, the Morris Minors of their time, not racers. Is this so, or is there some magazine in regular print that I've not happened to see?

Thirdly, the lack of such a magazine means I don't know where to find spares in the UK, though I'm sure there are plenty. I can see various Internet presences, but would guess that I'm missing just as many. Are there any suppliers of parts in the UK for this era of bikes who are well-known? I'm not asking for a recommendation, just a pointer.

Finally, if this is the wrong forum and there is something better somewhere else on the Internet more tailored to 1952 Raleigh Possibly Superbes, perhaps anyone reading this could direct me to it.

Many thanks for reading this,
Paul Sanderson, Beckenham, Kent, UK