This thing takes a key?
 

I recently got what im 95% sure is a 1959-1960ish rudge sport. One thing i ahve not been able to track down about this frame is the following:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...309_141358.jpg
Is this some sort of early theft deterrent? I haven't been able to find much of anything on it.

I WANT MOAR PICTURES OF YOUR BIKE, but yes, I understand that it locks the fork forward so the bike can't turn. early theft deterrent, maybe a local locksmith can make you a key for it! That would be cool.

Yes it does. It locks the fork. Its rudimentary theft deterrent at best. Although it might stop a thief.

It's called a fork lock. Search "Raleigh Fork Lock" and you'll find quite a bit, including this blog entry. From that, here's what the key looks like:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/...c39b7e0c_o.jpg

Thankfully it was unlocked and they key that rhm posted looks rudimentary so it shouldn't be that hard to remake.

From what i can tell the condition is "meh" at best but i just love the layout and style of this bike. I havent gotten a chance to explore the extent of TLC the rear hub is going to take but everything else is in decent working order. The rims appear to be OG with no major damage with just a missing spoke on the rear. I also havent had time to explore the condition of the front hub, but both lights are amazingly intact. The calipers may be toast though. Also certain the brooks saddle has had it.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...309_153109.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y13...309_141338.jpg

hahaha, my friend, that is a gem. You must be new to the really-old-english bike scene, they all clean up really well, and when they don't, they still look good. You got a good one. Kudos!

Oh, yeah, that'll clean up just fine. It's a great feeling to turn the switch on the headlight and have the lights come on as if by magic. With a little extra effort you can upgrade the bulbs to LED, which gives a lot more light.

Apparently there's a code on the lock in the fork, and if you find it, you can still order the key.

Code is stamped right on the key slot. NGN **.

-Kurt

Great bike, rub it down and go!
You'll need 26 x 1-3/8" tires.
But, for the love of all that is decent, get rid of those spoke reflectors.

+1

Any known tutorial on this?

The reflectors steez cannot be denied

There is a local shop that used to leave one of those out side the door with the fork locked and watch guys try to steal it only to fall over the first time they tried to turn. It was quite funny.

The blanks that I use are ILCO K1122D BN1, however you will need to find someone that has the same lock number so you can copy the key. My best locksmith doesn't have a listing for that lock.

Aaron :)

I just checked on my code program (I have a locksmith license) and could not find anything. I wish I had, I'd love to be able to provide the keys cut to code.

I came across this beauty on Ebay. Perhaps an elegant, albeit expensive solution... Seems to be near to your color, as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Raleigh-Superbe-...item2eb3fada55