@rhm Thanks for the explanation. I am getting a grasp of your technique, but I can also see that without the dedicated forms used by the industry that lower the skill level necessary, it takes much trial and error and time to develop the skill to have an acceptable result. In other words, it ain't gonna fall in your lap. Great work and an interesting subject.

This past Sunday was a special day for me. On a grey cool day I donned a tweed cap and wool sweater and went for my first ride on the Raleigh Roadster, "Sir Wayes A. Tonne". Wow! This bike is a different ride than I had imagined. Smooth, upright, momentum, all words describing the tour of the 'hood. Thanks to all BF peeps for your help and support.

^^^ Beautiful and elegant!

Sir Wayes A. Tonne?

Perhaps, but it looks like a million pounds (sterling)!

Yesterday was the wettest day EVER recorded in Portland. There was a break in the afternoon, so took the Raleigh Sport for a little ride. I didn't go through any of this deep water because some of it is over a foot deep. I did get the rims wet and it does take some distance to stop. For your viewing pleasure:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/720/2...3e8d965f_z.jpg2015 Flooding by velocivixen, on Flickr

There is a multi-user path under all of that, along with one hole of a disc golf course!


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/767/2...f5a606bf_z.jpgPath Flooded by velocivixen, on Flickr

The path is here also and is supposed to loop around to the right behind the oak trees and by the creek. Mr. VV calls this "lake" after my name.


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5677/...f95d8821_z.jpg1978 Raleigh Flooding by velocivixen, on Flickr

Good gosh !! My first thought when I saw the pic is that it was a lake.

Very cOOL!

its called an " elite " and its made in the "British commonwealth of Hong Kong ". it fits on the post under the handle bars with the Raleigh insignia on it . it still has the paper instructions in it . it was purchased with the other nick nacks on the bike when new . the baby seat , the horn , a schwinn speedometer , a wald basket . it still works fine and has the spare bulb in it . its rare to find one that the batteries didn't leak . the bike is new , just the tires are in rough shape but the paint is awesome . i guess we have to wait to see pics of yourshttp://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps5c5f53ac.jpghttp://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps656a4ae8.jpghttp://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...psufwlnkxg.jpg

Yes, picking it up tomorrow fingers crossed.

Those are some nice nic nacks that came with the bike. I would be tempted to flip the handlebars if I got a 23" frame.

Is it weird that I can stare at the old Raleigh head badges all day long? There's just something right and proper about them.

Not weird, I get ideas when I look at the loose badges I have.

I see one being attached to a saddle bag or another riveted to a leather mud flap.

Find a nice cap and attach it like a pin.

Not weird, huh ?

we know you were riding through the puddles with your feet up @Velocivixen

That came out beautifully. Great job! There is something special about riding a roadster. Puts a smile on my face every time.

This one showed up today on Kijiji Toronto at a whopping $1500.00
VINTAGE OLD LADY ROAD BIKE | road | City of Toronto | Kijiji
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Very nice shape, and yes, expensive. You'd figure for that asking price, they would throw some grips on there? (Brooks, perhaps?)

Sure looks restored (to a high quality mind you), but silly money should be reserved for original bikes (if at all).

A grey lady followed me home:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492485

I must admit that she was both cheap and easy. Cheap as in little money, and easy as in only having two badly rusted spots to deal with. The right rear brake pad bolt and nut needed treatment as did the lower brake arm. The front rim had three badly rusted spots and rust patina on the rest. A little OA bath, and all is better now.

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Mechanically she is sound, but could use some TLC that may not be coming until next year. She rides like a Raleigh Sports should and shifts precisely. I had to replace the front tube, hence the twine tied to a spoke to remind me about right and left.

Well I had to go get my 73 but I didn't mind.

These are as gotten, overall in good mechanical shape with a few items needing TLC.

Sadly, the B72 which looked great in the pic had a tear on the nose which will continue as it is ridden:(

Paint is in nice show with just a few chips. The hint of rust wipes gone with fine brass and WD-40.

Original bag is in good nic with all original sales lit included and wrench.

Pump was non functioning but further inspection revealed a loose bolt connecting the leather plunger. Fixed right away and it forced good pressure. Looks like it stayed that way all it's life and the leather plunger is well oiled still.

Tires original Raleigh with the front fine and holding air for now. Back is split and flat. Replacing them anyway.

Enough for now...

Pics. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492494 With seat raised to my height. 21" size had me worried.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492495 Got some reading tonight!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492496 Maybe use this bag or my Carradice.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492498 Have since shined it, looks factory fresh! Nice deep green valve attachment.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492499 Cock pit. Plastic dial broke, bummer!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=492500 Raleigh!

Clean up begins and a few parts to look for.

looks great ! it should clean up nice . i don't know if this is an an excepted practice but i used a polishing compound lightly on the paint ans then a good wax and the the paint really came out .

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater ..... 68 sports for 125 .

Paint does need to come out. Dust build up has to go first. Tomorrow will be a full hot soapy wash before I decide on the next treatment. I have used some of those paint polish compounds with good results. I'm really loving the black paint, seems very old fashion.

Original brake pads are perfect but rock hard ! Found complete set of new Kool stops in the bin so that problem is solved. Tires are going to be harder.

Found out the plastic fulcrum piece has cracked. Time to look for another.

I have a new B68 in the bin which will take the old B72 s place.

I need both time and motivation go rebuild a dynohub and aw hub on alloy cr18 wheels and db stainless steel spokes, as well as finish up two ladies superbes.

Motivate me!

Looks good! Have some fun with it.

:thumb:
You have mastered the art of living.

It appears as though my drive side crank arm for a '72 Superbe has some threads that need cleaning up. Would your standard 9/16 pedal tap work for the steel that Raleigh used for the crank or is it too hard?