Need help and/or advice from more experienced enthusiasts
11-09-20, 07:37 AM
#1
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Need help and/or advice from more experienced enthusiasts
This past weekend I bought a vintage Raleigh Royale road/touring? bike. I would like to put this bike back to as close original condition as possible. I'm going to have a ton of questions, but I can't post pics yet. My first question is this: It currently has fenders on it. The rear fender says "Supremo by Bantel. Made in Great Britain." I don't really like the look of fenders, but if this an OEM Raleigh accessory, I suppose I would leave them on instead of removing them. Any thoughts?
11-09-20, 07:48 AM
#2
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Welcome! Can't answer your question but you are on the right site!
You can post pictures in your gallery until you get 10 posts. Others will then assist to get them in the thread. It is really important to take pictures with your questions. Others like to drool over your bike too!
You can post pictures in your gallery until you get 10 posts. Others will then assist to get them in the thread. It is really important to take pictures with your questions. Others like to drool over your bike too!
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11-09-20, 07:48 AM
#3
Drip, Drip.
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This past weekend I bought a vintage Raleigh Royale road/touring? bike. I would like to put this bike back to as close original condition as possible. I'm going to have a ton of questions, but I can't post pics yet. My first question is this: It currently has fenders on it. The rear fender says "Supremo by Bantel. Made in Great Britain." I don't really like the look of fenders, but if this an OEM Raleigh accessory, I suppose I would leave them on instead of removing them. Any thoughts?
Interestingly enough, i picked up a 1980 Norco Monterey two weeks ago. These vintage road bikes all seem pretty similar. Im planning to restore mine as well. How are you enjoying yours so far?
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11-09-20, 08:03 AM
#4
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Nice bike! I never heard of Norco before (there are a LOT I never heard of, I'm sure). I'm a fair weather rider, so no, I won't be riding in rain or snow if I can avoid it. I've only ridden it about a mile since I got it. It's a larger frame than my Shogun, so I need to get used to it, but it did feel more comfortable to ride on first impression.
11-09-20, 08:06 AM
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11-09-20, 08:27 AM
#6
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Welcome! Can't answer your question but you are on the right site!
You can post pictures in your gallery until you get 10 posts. Others will then assist to get them in the thread. It is really important to take pictures with your questions. Others like to drool over your bike too!
You can post pictures in your gallery until you get 10 posts. Others will then assist to get them in the thread. It is really important to take pictures with your questions. Others like to drool over your bike too!
11-09-20, 08:39 AM
#7
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Very nice and original condition. Looks like a late 70's, entry level bike, probably above the Record and Grand Prix models. The Bantels are British iirc but likely not original. They're desireable mudguards, like Bluemels. Classic Bike Boom.
Pic assist
Pic assist
Last edited by clubman; 11-09-20 at 08:42 AM.
11-09-20, 08:59 AM
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do not recall ever seeing this model in U.S. distribution
presence of lamp boss on right blade indicates either a domestic market U.K. item or an export model intended for a commonwealth nation where they drive on the left
perhaps brought home to Ohio by a traveler or member of the military who was stationed overseas...
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do not recall ever seeing this model in U.S. distribution
presence of lamp boss on right blade indicates either a domestic market U.K. item or an export model intended for a commonwealth nation where they drive on the left
perhaps brought home to Ohio by a traveler or member of the military who was stationed overseas...
-----
Last edited by juvela; 11-09-20 at 12:40 PM. Reason: addition
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11-09-20, 09:04 AM
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Not much restoration needed there! Bike is in nice shape.
Lights, rack, generator, bell, and fenders are likely all after-market accessories.
If you're going to ride farther than 5 miles at a time you might consider replacing the saddle. A Brooks leather saddle would be appropriate. Like clubman said, those fenders will make someone happy. Don't throw them away. Maybe there's a forum member in your area with whom you could work out some sort of saddle/fender trade.
Brent
Lights, rack, generator, bell, and fenders are likely all after-market accessories.
If you're going to ride farther than 5 miles at a time you might consider replacing the saddle. A Brooks leather saddle would be appropriate. Like clubman said, those fenders will make someone happy. Don't throw them away. Maybe there's a forum member in your area with whom you could work out some sort of saddle/fender trade.
Brent
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11-09-20, 09:21 AM
#10
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Welcome to the Bike Forums and a kindred spirit.
I have, over the years, come to appreciate fenders for both useful and aesthetic purposes...
I have street restored a few bikes, but never have I gone for dead "as issued" original, until just a few days ago when this old entry level fendered Torpado showed up. I intend to keep the Italian steed dead on original, addressing cosmetic issues (art) as I refurbish the bicycle. I even intend to keep the original plastic saddle (not really as uncomfortable as they look, believe it or not)...
The bike above will look something like this one that I built up years ago...
Though, I prefer the appearance of a fenderless road bike...
I have learned to appreciate the appearance of nicely fendered machine (same bike as above and a stone cold keeper in my wee stable)...
The fenders on this old Legnano are repainted alloy Sekine offerings that worked well with the overall appearance, adding to the vintage appeal of the bike, but I hated the handlebars...
Original fenders , as found on the Torpado shown in the first picture, are a BIG plus in my book! Throw in an original pump and tool pouch, to go with the original fenders and Bob's your uncle. It would be hard for me to break up those items and this old Mercier never did give them up...
And, needless to say, if you're gonna go with original fenders and pump and tool pouch, make sure that you install a set of light weight saddle bags just to complete the look..:-)
Seriously, though, do not reject the value of a fender set. Especially if that set is original issue. Just an old man's opinion, of course.
I have, over the years, come to appreciate fenders for both useful and aesthetic purposes...
I have street restored a few bikes, but never have I gone for dead "as issued" original, until just a few days ago when this old entry level fendered Torpado showed up. I intend to keep the Italian steed dead on original, addressing cosmetic issues (art) as I refurbish the bicycle. I even intend to keep the original plastic saddle (not really as uncomfortable as they look, believe it or not)...
The bike above will look something like this one that I built up years ago...
Though, I prefer the appearance of a fenderless road bike...
I have learned to appreciate the appearance of nicely fendered machine (same bike as above and a stone cold keeper in my wee stable)...
The fenders on this old Legnano are repainted alloy Sekine offerings that worked well with the overall appearance, adding to the vintage appeal of the bike, but I hated the handlebars...
Original fenders , as found on the Torpado shown in the first picture, are a BIG plus in my book! Throw in an original pump and tool pouch, to go with the original fenders and Bob's your uncle. It would be hard for me to break up those items and this old Mercier never did give them up...
And, needless to say, if you're gonna go with original fenders and pump and tool pouch, make sure that you install a set of light weight saddle bags just to complete the look..:-)
Seriously, though, do not reject the value of a fender set. Especially if that set is original issue. Just an old man's opinion, of course.
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11-09-20, 09:36 AM
#11
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I think “below” Record & Grand Prix would be more accurate. “Above” would make it a Super Course, which it most certainly is not. Or were you just trying not to hurt the OP’s feelings?
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11-09-20, 09:46 AM
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Still entry level but in fine shape. A good start for a C&V collection. OP beware!
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11-09-20, 10:30 AM
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if the cycle is marked with a serial number it should provide you with both a date and a location of manufacture (not all Raleigh bicycle manufacture located in the UK)
there is a guide to Raleigh serial numbers located here -
https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_serials.html
also, you may discover a specific date on the backside of the machine's Simplex Prestige rear derailleur -
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if the cycle is marked with a serial number it should provide you with both a date and a location of manufacture (not all Raleigh bicycle manufacture located in the UK)
there is a guide to Raleigh serial numbers located here -
https://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_serials.html
also, you may discover a specific date on the backside of the machine's Simplex Prestige rear derailleur -
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11-09-20, 12:10 PM
#14
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I’m of the a bike without fenders is no bike at all crew.
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11-09-20, 01:05 PM
#15
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I'll be repainting my Norco soon. I am torn between a burgundy red similar to the colour on this raleigh or some sort of dark metallic emerald green, along with tan beige accented saddle and handlebars.
Norco is a company situated in Canada. Pretty popular here. They source their frames from across the globe. My Monterey is Japanese made using suntour components and a tange plain gauge seamless tubing chromoly frame. Fantastic fun to ride.
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11-09-20, 02:56 PM
#16
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The serial number appears to be MA23782. I've been on the website you've suggested (thank you) and also on Sheldon Brown's site. The serial number points to Malaysia as the country of manufacture from what I can decipher, but it has a decal that says "Made in England". I'm aware there is a lot of confusion with Raleigh serial number sequencing. I also have another Raleigh I bought a few weeks ago that was manufactured in Ireland and has no model name on it. I would love to figure out what that is (or isn't).
11-09-20, 03:01 PM
#17
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Ireland hosted a Raleigh factory for many years.
It was destroyed in a fire and not replaced/rebuilt.
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Ireland hosted a Raleigh factory for many years.
It was destroyed in a fire and not replaced/rebuilt.
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11-10-20, 06:06 PM
#18
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Thread Starter
Well as @juvela suggests, it's a foreign market model, the downtube sticker says Hong Kong. The reason I think I'd rate it higher is alloy bars and stem and some not bad looking lugs.
Still entry level but in fine shape. A good start for a C&V collection. OP beware!
Still entry level but in fine shape. A good start for a C&V collection. OP beware!
