Hi,
I have just got this bike from my grandfather and I would like to restore it as close to the original as possible. Someone tried to do something but I think he made it worse than it was. Can anyone please identify what model is it or where can I find more information?.. it has old break mechanism, raleigh logo on the front and different seat mounting than other Raleighs.

Thank you
Christian

It's a roadster, probably model DL-1. Possibly a Dawn Tourist model. Do you have all the missing pieces? They can be found, but the easiest way to find them is on a complete bicycle.

Retro Raleighs: The Roadsters

Looks like a standard DL-1 though likely a relatively early one as that Heron lamp holder is the "skinny" heron. They got fatter over time!

Thank you for your help... I have been searching but I have not found one like this model because most of them are three speed..
I found the serial number underneath the pedal system and it is only three digit i.e.200 and it is embossed not punched in..



The only picture that I found that resembles mine I think is this one below. However the front sprocket is not like mine neither..

Thanks rhm,

No I do not have all the parts.. I have the rear fender missing but before buying the parts I need to know what year and model it exactly is..

That would be a great way to honor your Grandfather. Never heard of a Bristol saddle, looks smashing.

Good luck with the project. Looks like a winter endeavor.

Thank you.. it needs a lot of work but I think it will be worth it

Even without a family history, this is a nice find. Looks like a pre war single speed with replaced pedals. Looks like 26" wheels. Are they? If they're 28" I'm wrong and it is a DL-1.

I do not know about the pedals but it is 28'' not 26''. I think that it resembles the DL-1 but not exactly

Being a 28" wheel model, it would be a DL-1 Roadster. I suspect it may be a very old one. That style seat post and headlamp bracket are very old. Those pedals are from the late 60s or later.
I've never seen one with clamp on pump stays, but I'm only familiar with post war Roadsters. Luckily, you should be able to find the parts you need since Raleigh made pretty much the same Roadster for 50 years. Very nice bike. Please post pictures as the project comes along.

edit to add:
Roadster is just the nickname we used for these big 28" bikes here in the US. Raleigh had official names like Tourist, Dawn and who knows what else.

As I was cleaning the frame I found out another number below the seat that I think it is the serial number 72457 and on the other side three letters RAF, I do not know what these mean but one possible meaning is Royal Air Force. This means that maybe it was used by the British here in Malta.
I also noted that the pedals are not both the same, which one is the original I do not know.

I think you may have hit on something there. A military issue roadster. These bikes have the chainwheel, single speed, lack of brazed on pump stays and seat post in common with your bike. They don't have the Raleigh thimble forks though. The pedals with the reflectors began in the late 60s. The other one is older. No idea what an original would look like. You might be able to get some dating information from the rear hub.

It is exactly as the one in the photo.. can you please send me the website link to get more information?..

Thank you