dumpster find on e bay
 

I won this Raleigh on e bay with pick up only N/W of chicago.It ended for $162.I think I got my moneys worth in reflectors[kidding,they will come off]! Inside the tool bag was the books and instructions and registration! The seller said a 92 year old man that lived across the street died and his son got a dumpster and threw the bike in it!The seller pulled it out and ran it on e bay.Heres a Raleigh in need of a good cleaning.The paint under the dirt is still shiny.Good decals.Brooks saddle .Heres a few before photos before I get to bringimg it back to life.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...g?t=1252338027
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...g?t=1252338076
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...g?t=1252338157
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/i...g?t=1252338205

That right there is why I like riding through older neighborhoods. Yard sales and estate sales are the best for finding vintage.

It is unfortunate but often when an elderly relative passes the family has a short period of time to take care of things. I drove to Detroit to clean out my Grandmothers house and had to toss two working 50's GM fridges (Frigidaire) with the big walk in style handles and a big GM Chrome logo (8inches tall) on the front and I knew full well I could have sold them in GA for $400 or more to this place. http://www.antiqueappliances.com/ My Cousins had long since destroyed the bikes I remember my grand parents having in the garage when I was a kid in the 70's.

oooooh, nice score.

I had the identical bike about 12 years ago, neglected it without fully appreciating what I had (exposure to elements), and eventually got rid of it.

Big mistake on my part.

I just got back from looking at an Indian made knockoff (Avon), and the difference in quality is well apparent.

Enjoy!

Thats one nice bike! I'd leave the reflectors on, adds to the bikes life/story. :)

That fellow deserves $162 for making such a great save.

took a little rubbing compound to the paint to see how it will look.shines up really nice with a high gloss.Will post pics when all finished.Should be good before and after pics.

I am sure the old guy (original owner) is looking down on you and smiling from where ever he is :).

Looking forward to your 'after' pixs.

ill never get used to people that throw out things because they are "old" ...that raleigh is in great shape! but that kid didnt even have to the "time" to roll it out to the street and put a "free" sign on it!

Great find! I was at an estate sale when I saw an old J C Higgins Sears bike. I wasn't interested. I like the rod brakes on your bike, and those little reflectors could be painted black (leaving the centers exposed)

You'll love the ride...
 

I picked up a ladies Touriste for forty bucks one day and almost ended up keeping the bicycle for around town errands. What a relaxed and yet rewarding ride. So different from the lighter bicycles I generally prefer.

Based on how this lovely old roadster rode, my guess is that you will really enjoy your bike. Nice find and good luck with your project.

The ladies version is a real claassic when it comes to looks.Got to love the rod brakes!I now have to try finding brake pads for rod brakes.

That guy apparently liked reflectors.....

How many miles shown on the speedometer?

And... what's the date on the Sturmey Archer rear hub? My guess is.... 1973.

That's not too different from the story of my Tourist. A year ago next week, I bought it from a lady in my church who acquired it when her daughter-in-law's father passed away. There was a 1994 Nishiki hybrid with the store price tag still attached, and a 1966 DL-1. I bought both of them (for less than $162 combined! I'm glad I didn't know how much the DL-1 was worth at the time.)

920 miles.I dont know how accurate that is because the tires are 28 in.I dont know if they ever calibrated speedometers for 28 in tires. hub is 69

:thumb:

Those forks and front brake gotta be from the "old time"!

Doohickie's guess is pretty good...1973...that's about the time Raleigh was using a "modern" "R" decal on their seat tubes. $162 is a pretty good deal for a bike like that. All in all, this little saga goes to illustrate an old saying.... "one man's trash is another man's $162". Good thing somebody came along and saved it.

Excellent score, and yep, I bet the old guy is smiling down knowing his bicycle is in good hands.

Oh yeah... definitely worth $162. Nice bike.

The before pictures don't look half bad.

Chrome and paint cleaning up real nice.Reflectors are off.should have pics of this 38 1/4 lb beast in another day or two.