Ladies' Raleigh DL-1 project
 

Sorry haven't gotten pictures yet but just dragged home a DL-1 stepthrough frame (70s vintage, likely) missing both wheels and ALL of the front brake parts. My wife saw my sports project and wanted one too - this frame is exactly what I needed.

I'm going to 'restify' it similar to my wartime Sports, my only quandry is the wheels. 635 ISO rims (28x1 1/2) in alloy are hard to find in the states, Rigida are available from Freemancycles in the UK but expensive. I can get 635 steel rims from the Flying Pigeon importer here in LA, they're only $20 each, and that would let me preserve the 28-inch wheels.

On the other hand, I know they make 40mm wide 622 (700c) tires now, so I suppose it would be cheaper/easier to just build the bike around that size.

In any case the hubs are going to be sturmey drum hubs, if I can find another handlebar and the conversion parts I'll keep the rod levers. If not I will have to replace them with a set of regular levers (perhaps backwards levers from Velo Orange).

Pics to come, don't shoot me...

Here's my Sports:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ase?highlight=

Of course, if you use any rims but the original size, you'll have to figure out a different braking scheme.

I have a front rod to drum brake set of parts (or at least most of them) I would be willing to part with. Let me know if you want to see pictures.

I also purchased the Rigida alu rims from Freeman's in the UK. They were kind of expensive, but it was important to me to keep the westwood rim look and lighten things up a bit.

I'm leaning towards keeping the 28 inch wheels. Definitely interested in the conversion bits - I also need the front lever, spring and the two lever stands because they're missing from the handlebars. Anyway my email is rybowen at gmail, I can't send a PM on here I think.

Just ordered four of the hoops from the UK, if anyone else needs a pair hit me up and I'll split the cost when they get here.

Does anyone have a photo or diagram of the rod to drum brake Raleigh used on DL-1 type bikes?

Look in the sturmey catalog here:

http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.co...-detail&id=129

Page 24

robertob, Thanks for the link. Trying to figure out if it's possible to convert the front rod brake from the stirrup style to a drum brake. Do have an assortment of rod bits a friend in Amsterdam salvaged.

Quick crappy pic.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=205635

That's going to be a really fun bike when it's done. A good DL-1 is a thing of terrible beauty.

Corey K

Wheels: as you've said, the most practical option is to get the Flying Pigeon rims, although I do have to say that in Colombia, the Steel rims that come with the Eastman roadsters get replaced with "GW" branded Aluminium rims, which from what I recall are rather inexpensive, less than 20 USD.

As far as brakes go, you can buy a Sturmey Archer "BF" Drum brake hub from The Bikesmiths and from what I've seen with Gazelle Toer Populairs, they'll work with rod brake adapter hardware.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_B...U/-TZfj9hUTQ8/

From the diagram, the adaptor can be cobbled together from spare REAR rod brake bits, a few pieces that come with the hub, and some home made pieces. The only pieces that may be hard to find would be to find the threaded rod assembly and the hub adaptor stirrup, the rest seems to be made from bits of the rear rod brake linkage, some modified by being bent one way or another.

The threaded rod seems to be the most difficult part to find, it seems to be a rear linkage downtube rod (diagram ref. PGL 112) that has had the hook cut off and has been threaded to match the adjuster nut found with the rear rod brake stirrup. The hub adaptor stirrup (diagram ref. HSK 622) is a stamped metal piece, it can probably be hammered and drilled out of a BSO's caliper brakes. Does someone here have dimensions on the original stirrup so that the holes can be properly placed?

It has been my good fortune to own a couple of Raleigh Tourists and, were I you, I would definitely keep the 28" wheels. These are really nice old bikes to ride.
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe..._TQFront_2.jpg

Thanks for the advice. It's funny - I have owned several rod brake bikes but not one real Raleigh.

I ordered some very evxpensive alumimum rims from UK, that should get me well on thevway to finishing the bike.

Bumping an old post....
And a bit of a long shot but I noticed in this 4 year old post that "Air"had some spare rod to drum brake parts?
I'm rebuilding a 1952 Raleigh and having real difficulty with front parts especially the stirrup.
If you still have these I'd be willing to purchase all the bits from you or anyone else on this forum
My email is sbaranyai@hotmail.com
Kind regards
Stephen