Raleigh 3speed found in abandoned barn
 

Hi,

I know nothing of old 3speeds yet alone much about Raleighs.
I am hoping this is a nice find and perhaps worth restoring (and by that i think just a real good clean and some chrome polishing) as it looks to be in good shape.

If anyone knows anything about this model and even perhaps the year I would very much appreciate it.


the decals read:
Seat tube -Superbe, High Tensile
Down tube - Kenny Grant Johnny Jennell - M.Nieces Montreal (bike shop maybe)

Its got a Sturmey Archer shifter - again, don't know much about that
a synthetic material Brooks saddle with springs
and some locking mechanism for the fork


Sorry all those crappy pics from my cell (i figured the more the better)

Thanks for looking

http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...h/Image001.jpg
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http://i462.photobucket.com/albums/q...h/Image008.jpg
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The Superbe was a top of the line utility 3 speed that Raleigh made for a number of years. It's a basic 3 speed bicycle with internal gear hub, but with many extras added on: dynamo hub and lamp set-- locking fork and often a rear carrier to name several. You've found a nice old, bicycle there. It's a keeper. I would suggest starting by doing a general clean up with a damp cloth and then seeing what condition the bicycle is in. You can proceed from there in terms of rust removal and repairs. But what you've found is a quality bicycle model that is relatively simple to own and maintain. It is not a throwaway department store bicycle, but a good one.

Bon courage!

and once you get the general cleaning done....

pictures pictures and more pictures!!!

Cool news!
thanks SirMike.

The barn it was found in is has not been in operation for some 10+ years and is litterally falling apart. My gf's family who lives in the vicinity know the owner and I hope they would be happy to give us the bike to put it back into good use.

there are about 5 sweet Peugeots in there as well. not the kind i was hopeing for - they are all big 500 series peugeot cars. kinda eerie walking through there. anywho.

thanks again!

Reno

Clean the rear hub off or the front dyno hub and you should find a date usually something like 64 6 which would be June 1964 it is not a perfect method but will get you close on the year of the bike.

Aaron:)

Thanks Aaron.
Ill do that next time I go to the barn. Hopefully i will find a way to communicate with the owner and get my hands on it.

A bike worth saving, but it is a women's frame which does nothing to help the value.

It looks older than my 1972 Superbe. SHould be a nice bike after some clean-up!

Sure, Women's frames are usually less valuable but Raleigh Superbe prices have been off the charts. That's a great bike and a really nice find.

It's a late '60s Superbe, perhaps late '50s. Hub date will confirm.

-Kurt

Okay now im pretty erm... interested in knowing what these bikes are worth... anyone?

I will definitely try to confirm the date asap.

Top of the line Raleigh 3 speed. It cries out for a full restoration job! ;):)

Correction - refurbishing job. Paint looks to be in excellent shape - all it needs is some Meguars Scratch X / KIT Scratch Out on the finish, and some bronze wool/Flitz (or Never Dull) on the chrome.

-Kurt

There will be a date stamped on the rear hub: two-digit month and two-digit year.

Rule #1 of bike restoration is DO NOT use sandpaper, steel wool, or wire brush on anything!

Some detergents and cleaning products can destroy fragile old decals and paint.

I suggest a thorough cleaning with hot soapy water and a rag, + boar's hair or plastic-bristle brush (but be careful of decals. A detergent or degreaser is OK for the chrome, chain, plastic, and rubber, but again be careful of the decals, especially until you know what you have.

You won't be able to retire by selling this. When you've got it cleaned up well, post good-quality pics in this thread and in the "what's it worth" subforum.

Does it have the dynamo front hub? Light? What's the model on the rear hub (probably AW, but could be something more exotic. Look up Sturmey Archer hubs on sheldonbrown.com for more info. Usually easiest to date a Raleigh 3 spd by the Sturmey Archer hub date, but you can find more info on dating the frame at Kurt's site, the headbadge: http://www.jaysmarine.com/bikecollection.html

Eric

thanks Eric for the post. Very good information.

I need to get down there and fetch it out already.

Theres only one thing I disagree with in your reply and its the steel wool :

Why not steel wool? I swear by it. I just almost fully restored an old bike (pics to follow soon) and all I used was degreaser and steel wool. But very fine wool #000 - as fine as it gets. Its gets chome to shine and gives it a polished finish. I just then add some Brasso metal polish and its an intense shine. Take a look at my other recent flips:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=555111 10$ garage sale
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=547230 garbage find (FULLY RUSTED, too bad i didnt take before shots)


Is there i reason that I dont know of why not to use steel wool? And btw i fully agree about sandpaper etc...

anywho,

Thanks very much for taking the time to reply in the first place,

Reno

You really should really make it a point to speak to the owner as soon as possible if you are interested in these bikes.

right. but its not going to go anywhere. its in an abandoned barn in a remote place (im not gonna say where though) and its been there collecting dust for a good while. Its just a little out of my way so I have to organize the right time to get our hands on it.

Steel wool destroys the very thin outer layer of the chrome, oxalic acid is a better method. I do use simichrome to polish chrome and then coat it with Turtle wax Chrome polish. In extreme cases I will use brass or bronze wool, it does not leave any steel particles behind.

Aaron:)