Just another old Raleigh 3-speed
 

Well, not quite. First, it weighs in at a shade under 26 lbs complete. And that shade of green isn't Raleigh Sports green, it's Lenton green (or "polychromatic olive green"). After years of looking, I finally found one of my holy grails: a Raleigh Lenton Tourist. These were made for only two years, 1950-51, and were Raleigh's somewhat unsuccessful attempt at a lightweight (Reynolds 531 tubing), upright-bar tourist bike. The frameset came from eBay auction, and the rest of the bits came off of some other projects and the parts bin. The frame was designed for EA1/26 x 1 1/4"/597mm wheels, but I've fitted it with 700c wheels, 28mm Pasela tires, and black Bluemels fenders with ample room. It might still get a set of EA1 wheels though tire options are severely limited in that size. The rear hub is an alloy AM shell with AW innards. Those dark anodized rims are surely an anachronism, so if I stay with 700c, I'll need to build a different set of wheels. It's got a cotter issue on the drive side that I have to deal with and will soon get fitted with an alloy chainguard. In the meantime:

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist1.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist4.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist5.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist6.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist7.jpg

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...onTourist8.jpg

From the 1950 catalog:
http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...rist1950_2.JPG

Another catalog description:
http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...rist1950_1.jpg

More pics here.

Neal

Nice!

Nlerner- Nice job on the Raleigh. I have a Raleigh Trent Sports that also uses EA1-26x1 1/4 wheels and tires and am planning on building some wheels with 700c rims. What length of spokes did you use for the front and rear wheels? I have a Sturmey-Archer FW shell (the internals are currently in the AW shell on my Trent Sports) which will go on the rear wheel and a NOS S/A front hub for the front wheel. Nice to see how the 700c wheels/tires work/look on your bike. Thx again, PG.

I only built the rear and don't recall the spoke length as it was awhile back that I built it. But the calculation came from spocalc, which has Sturmey Archer 3-speed hubs in its database.

Neal

Nice Ride! :thumb:

Thx for the Spocalc link. PG.

Neal, until I met you I had no interest in the up right British bicycles. That's changed thanks to you.

As you know, my co-worker has that all chrome Raleigh Sport that's stored out back. Every time I go by it I give you a good natured curse because I know where it will end up in the not so distance future.

The Lenton is gorgeous.

Scott

And we know where the money in your bank account will end up, too, Scott! Hey, I can always trade you a couple of Fujis for a couple of Raleighs if we need to reform.

Neal

Neal,

That's a nice looking Raleigh. One I've never seen. Did you see this listing for a "Golden Arrow" from a few days ago on NH-CL? It sounds interesting. It would be nice if they posted a picture or two.

http://nh.craigslist.org/bik/1200613124.html

Very nice. I think the 700s look better than the 26"s.

I hadn't seen that one, but I just dropped the seller a note. Thanks, Bob!

Thanks! With 597mm rims, there was a ton of space between the tires and the fenders. I could fitz with the fenders, install longer brackets from the brake, etc., but it doesn't seem quite worth it. I even have a pair of barely used Dunlop White Sprite tires in that size on a built-up set of wheels, but they ride pretty poorly.

Neal

"Thanks! With 597mm rims, there was a ton of space between the tires and the fenders. I could fitz with the fenders, install longer brackets from the brake, etc., but it doesn't seem quite worth it. I even have a pair of barely used Dunlop White Sprite tires in that size on a built-up set of wheels, but they ride pretty poorly."

The tires, wheels or both? I'd be interested in buying them from you if you decide to part with them.
PG.

I've always liked the Raleigh Sport (There's 4 of them in the basement/garage right now) and always joked that I'd like to find one in 531. I'm done joking. I've found a new purpose in life. They even make it in my size!
I've had a couple of those Golden Arrows but I think they only went up to 21". Fun though.
Now all I want to see is a rod brake roadster in 531.

Niagara has crank cotters in several sizes!;)

Yum, yum! Now that is a bicycle.

Congratulations - a great outcome of your diligent searching! A real beauty.

Yet another sweet find by the master:thumb::lol:

Aaron:)

Neal,

Looks great!

I have a drum brake roadster in Reynolds 531. A made over Pashley Guvnor aka Path Racer.

Now you are talking:thumb:
I've got a project in process with a big Raleigh frame (not 531 but 24" and relaxed angles) which will have have modern dyno/hub braked front hub and 3 speed rear with hub brake ala Guvnor style. Just need 28" 36 hole alloy/ss rims to complete. Any offers?