oglala_1927

Anyone ever heard of a Raleigh Retroglide? Maybe a newer cruiser frame. The frame is like an old JC Higgens or Murrey except the down tube has a double curve, the top tube angles down to the seat tube and there are 2 tubes on an arc from the upper top tube to the drop outs. The chain cover says 7 speed and Raleigh on it. All it was just a frame. It has a welded on fitting for attaching a coaster brake arm which doesn't fit in with the 7 speed on the chain cover.

cudak888 

Current model. Poor attempt at a vintage balloon-tire clone - and at the price one costs, I'd rather buy the real thing.

The Retroglide lineup includes a coasterbrake model (Retroglide), Nexus 4 model (Retroglide 4) and a 7-speed Shimano Hyperglide derailer model (Retroglide 7). I believe each variant has a special frame for the various different cables and rear spacing used, but from your description, it seems as if the 7-speed machines are speced with the tab to allow for a multi-speed hub with a coaster or band brake.

-Kurt

oglala_1927

Thanks Cudak888, I got this frame free and a 7 speed free wheel, 26", and a coaster brake wheel, so someone was playing with it. it is the coaster brake model as there is no evidence of a rear deraileur having been on it. I like the idea of a 7 speed. I'm toying with the idea of making a "shopper" out of it. I'll keep my eyes out for the 7 speed set up!!. frank

cudak888 

Hmm. Are there any cable guides or stops brazed onto the frame? That would set the coaster model apart from the Retroglide 4 and 7. What puzzles me is how it has a Retroglide 7 guard on it the same color ( I assume) as the frame, for each variant of the Retroglide comes in a different color.

-Kurt

oglala_1927

It does have cable guides on the underside of the down tube and the chain guard is black and maroon and has Raleigh in big white letters. The frame is metallic maroon. I'm pretty sure it was set up with a coaster brake as the chain fits good, it would never work with a deraileur. The coaster brake wheel set is black and the hyperglide 7 wheel is alloy with a beat up tire on it!!!. Aim to use 27" wheels and the 7 speed set up if I can find a nexus deraileur and shifters. Any ideas? Frank

mswantak

Frank, the Nexus hubs are internal like S-A 3-speeds. They don't use derailleurs.

cudak888 

Without seeing a photo, I couldn't say what it is to be exact. Closest match to metallic marroon would be the metallic red used on the '05 Retroglide NX4s.

I'd put a guess that it's a Nexus-equipped Retroglide be virtue of the cable guides. Don't try to cold-set those rear drops - it's aluminum.

-Kurt

oglala_1927

Kurt,Do you know if Nexus still makes the internal gear 4-speed and 7-speed hubs? I haven't ever seen one on ebay. I'm stuck with having to use 27" wheels, the only fork I have is one from a Motobecane. 27" wheels make it look like a low slung roadster going 90 per! 26" wheels in the fork need brake arms about 3" long! If I can't find the internal hubs, I guess I'll lace the 7-speed hydaglide hub to a 27" wheel and look for a newer handle bar shifter. Frank

USAZorro

I'm pretty sure they still make them (or maybe I'm confusing them with Shimano 7-speeds?). They are rather pricey.

Sammyboy

It's Shimano - Nexus is the model name, and yes, Nexus hubs are still available freely. You might pick up a used on for not too much on ebay, with luck.