Raleigh Sprite
 

Hi there all. This is my first post in this area. I really enjoy all the bikes in this section of BF, as well as the calm and cool that is here. Hi to all!!!

I am the proud owner of a Raleigh Sprite. I pulled it from the garbage (what is wrong /right with some people? Everything is in good order EXCEPT the rear fender stays, which are missing. The question is what to do to replace it. Removing the fenders is out of the question, as I want to keep it intact as a period peace.

Does anyone have a spare rear stay?:love:

As this project evolves, pics will follow.

The coolest features for my are the handle bars, and the derailler with SMOOTH jockey pulleys.

If it is a mid-'70s model, you can make form out of heavy gauge wire if you can't get one off another bike. For resale, you might want to give it your best shot with a bona fide replacement part. For general use, try forming one yourself.

I have bent a wire coathanger or 2 in my time !

indeed, i don't see anything about the fender stays that can't be hacked from a similar material.
it's a lot thicker steel than a coat hanger. perhaps something from a junk yard.
i think i would make something that looks the same, until the day i found a genuine replacement.

I've used 1/8" brass rod from the hardware store to fashion stays. It's easily bendable and comes in more than enough length. Cost was about $6 per piece.

Neal

Thanks for the tips. Now to find a rear derailler as well, this one is trashed :(

You might want to see if any of this stuff helps: http://www.velo-orange.com/fepaandha.html

^^^ +100000000

I can work with that!

'Thanks for the tips. Now to find a rear derailler as well, this one is trashed'
If the bike is late 1960s to mid-1970s, it will have an Alvit Huret steel rear deraileur. The same type you would find on a Schwinn Varsity, Collegiate (their version of a Sprite), etc. You can also use an old Sun Tour or Shimano deraileur with good results. IMHO...probably best to go with whatever is cheap or free, since frugal is "in" and you don't have to go "Campy" on this project.

I was hoping to keep it original, but looks like it'll be a little bit of this and that. On the other hand I think that I've started something here. I think that this my launch pad for C&V..........

If you are fixing it up for transportation and recreation...don't worry...you might just wind up improving upon the original bike with Sun Tour deraileurs, Dia-Compe or Weinmann side-pull brakes, etc.

Sorry for the Necromancy guys I just picked up one of these old sprites with plans for a single speed picnic bike and I have a few questions

what size and pitch is the pedal threading (I know raleigh was weird about some thread patterns)?
am I better off replacing the stock brakes with more updated sidepulls or simply refurbishing them?
has anyone put wald 89-26 fenders on a nottingham frame?

I under stand the stays may be trouble because of the eyelet position
will post before and after pics in the coming weeks

and the eyelets too!

here is another question it has a sturmey archer 5 speed freewheel rear hub.
what is the thread pitch and size for this one???