This was my Dad's bike; he's been gone a long time. My brother kept it around for years, now I have it. I don't want to restore it, and I don't ride it. Opening my self up here, but what should I do with it?

The best thing you could do is pass it on to someone here who will ride it and truly enjoy it for what it is One question though, does the front fork look bent or is it just the angle of the pictures?

Thanks for sharing!

-Kevin

you dont want to restore it, or ride it.

Hmmm.

well, you could...sell it?

Let people know where you are and I am sure there will be a BF'r or two that would give it a good home... I would love to have that saddle for a project I am working on and it is probably worth a few pennies on it's own.

The hub's date code will tell you what year it was made.

If it were mine... I' definately would restore it. It would take some time, but the result would be near to perfect.
The fork looks like it has had a blow, maybe it can be rectified.

Looks to be a 1950s model, but both the rear hub and front dynohub will have two-digit date codes that'll tell you for sure (e.g., 51 6 = June 1956). Given the bent front fork, you wouldn't get a heck of a lot for the complete bike. If your goal is to make money, you could part it out as the front wheel/dynohub plus generator set, the saddle, the crank, the pedals, and a few other bits will be desirable.

Neal

This is what they look like after they have been all dolled up... mine is a little different in that it is a Superbe and not a Sports. That means it has more heavy bits.

Thanx for the replies.

Sixty Fiver that's a very nice bike.
Restoring isn't really my thing.
And I want to get rid of all bikes (Gitane, Rossi, this Raleigh, and a 70s CCM Concorde of Reynolds 531)
except the one I ride.

I had another look, and yes the fork or possibly the steerer tube appears to be bent, just below the headset bottom. Good eyes you guys!

Numbers on Front hub 5 0 11 Rear 51 2

I'm an hour south of Toronto, near the US border. Don't mind crossing w some bike parts if necessary.
Also, I don't want to incur a mod's wrath by trading without a red star.

You don't need a red star to post in this "for trade" thread. What a lovely bike. If I still lived in Metro Detroit, I'd probably contact you myself...

As Donna said, trading is all right. Selling* is a different issue .

East Hill

How 'bout you sell it to the guy who calls himself 'VintageRaleigh"?

Must get the terminology correct!

East Hill

Some have expressed interest in the Brooks. The original pic doesn't show the cracks in the saddle. Just so you're fully aware, it is OLD.





Okay traders , if you're still interested, please let me know. I'd love to see this go to a good APPRECIATIVE home. And that includes if if you want it for parts.

If you restore it, it'd be nice if you sent pics. And if it ends up being parted out, it would be cool to know and see what bike(s) it went on.

1951 model apparently...I think that Brooks may be toast. I had a B72 that was cracked like that and failed. But still a decent bike for someone that has the time and the inclination.

Aaron

What a beautiful bike with a lot of potential. Please don't part it out! (If I lived closer I'd be trying to come up with a trade.)

Just so you're fully aware, photos like that are fully pornographic to us ... and we like it!

This is just the place to find someone who wants it. If I were located closer or headed up there any time soon, I'd be taking you up on it myself, bent fork or no.

But hopefully someone will nurse it back to health in its whole, original self.

I wish I lived nearer

I can probably get a bike box...

Thank you everyone who expressed interest and offered help and opinions.

The Raleigh has gone to a good home. I met VintageRaleigh yesterday at the Toronto Bike Show, and we traded in the parking lot.

An important part of our trade is that VintageRaleigh MUST post pics as he works on the restoration.

This forum has so many cool members... I consider my self fortunate. Thank you very much.

Great job of coordinating there, guys! We're glad to hear that everything worked out .

East Hill

It was a pleasure dealing with Wavy and I feel confident I've got a solid restoration job on my hands!

We had good luck being that we were both going to the Toronto Bike Show (which was great by the way, you should go while you have a chance) and I feel somewhat honored that I've been trusted with the restoration of this machine. I think its value to Wavy is more than the sum of its parts and I'm looking forward to getting it into decent repair.

I'm heading out to the shop now (after spending the morning plowing snow) and I'll take some more pictures for you guys before I go head with the tear down. Looking forward to this...

Sorry I've been late getting these pictures up guys, these were taken the day after I took delivery of the bike... amazingly, the tubes held air (but the vinyl tires were cracked) so I got to ride the bike around the shop a bit before pulling it apart...


That's the 'Older Raleigh' to the right of my 'Newer Raleigh' (1976 Sport)


Family Photo


I think that there was a decal here before, does anybody know what font etc. was written on this tube? I think this part of the bike has been repainted... also, there is a tire pump that goes here. Do any of you know where I could find one that is appropriate to the bike?


I'd like to find a more streamlined way to mount the light...


Going to need a replacement decal here, anybody know where to find them? (sorry I should have rotated some of these...)


A shot of the saddle which I think I will replace with new when I start riding this bike. That does NOT make this one for sale- it's staying with the bike.


Current state, after disassembling. Having a hell of a time getting the fork and handlebars separated though...

What I need:
Paint job
Decals
New Brooks B-66 saddle
Pin striping
Chain guard
Tire Pump
Vintage-look tires
Lots of chemicals for cleaning
Money

... if anybody knows where I can get any of the above listed please post your ideas on this thread. I would totally appreciate it. Also, if you have any ideas for this bike at ALL please fill me in. I appreciate everyone's input...

Oh another thing I needed (and FOUND) was a replacement fork, as you can tell from the pictures the old one was bent. I found this in Kensington Market for $15, much to my delight... I'll post pictures of that at next update.

Send me a PM with a list of any parts you may need... we have an abundance of vintage parts and a guy here who is also just a little fond of old Raleighs.

Here's a Raleigh decal on eBay: