I found this old roadster in the woods. What now?
 

We were walking in our woods behind our rural home and spoted a pile of scrap metal, kitchen sinks, bath tubs and bikes. This was buried in the pile. I could see a little of the rack and recognized it for what it was. We pulled it out and took some pictures.
I know this is really old and really rough, but what should I do with it? Is it worth anything? Who built it?

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As far as I can tell, the badge says "NEW MODEL" "ROADSTER" "** - DELUXE"
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This badge says "DELUXE"
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Thanks for input

Can't make out the name but it sure is Deelux! I would make a nice garden ornament out of it. (looks very rough to restore, but maybe) Or, take off the cool badges, and donate it to someone looking for a "ghost bicycle". It's beautiful just as it is.
What is the design on the chainring?

First step is to make sure you are up to date on all your tetanis shots! ;)

I've seen a lot of amazing transformations on this forum, but in this case I'd venture to say that the bike is too far gone. For instance, it appears the handlebars are rusted through. Frame might be as well, but you won't know until you strip the rust. I suspect some other parts may be too rusted/corroded and will need replacement, which may prove too costly and elusive. Some of the parts (such as those beautiful cranks!) might be worth trying to salvage. Oh, and chances are that seatpost is stuck. Do a search for oxalic acid (google: "site:bikeforums.net oxalic acid").

Interesting! Has rod brakes with pads in the front and apparently a drum in the rear. I would certainly be willing to try oxalic acid bath just to see what you can get out of it.

Aaron :)

Yes, rod brakes front and drum rear. Both are rod actuated. The bottom bracket is unusual in that it has two vertical bolts on the front side.
One question to the Raleigh and other roadster experts on the forum... does this look British? I know bikes like this are still being built in Asia, but I googled quite a bit and didn't find any North American bikes of this form. Lots of Brit bikes though.

Raleigh has built export models similar to this one. There was one on the forum not too long back. My gut instinct is Asian origin; Japanese or Chinese pre WW II.

Aaron :)

"My gut instinct is Asian origin; Japanese or Chinese pre WW II."

That would be fun! The double use of the word Deluxe might suggest Asian too.

It's very, very cool. I'd be attempting a restoration on it if I found it or possibly a sympathetic rehab depending on what I found upon disassembly.

Maybe take pictures that show the bike in focus?

It's neat, but it's low end and far gone. Trying to restore that bike to any sort of operational state would be akin to spending a hundred dollars to save ten. That said, people do it all the time so you wouldn't be alone.

At the very least, it would make a nice flower planter/ yard art ;)

Cheers,
Chris

Ya... we only had a phone for a camera and it just doesn't do well close up.

I have no intent to restore it, but I thought I'd ask if it was of value to collectors before I make it into a decoration. And of course it would be nice to identify it.
I'll probably stabilize the rust (patina?) and make a wall decoration out of it.

I was just ribbing you. Yeah, it'll make some cool decor.

Blaire Witch's bike.

:roflmao2:

A sweet ride for your scarecrow.

I would like better photos, but agree it's too far gone to do anything with. I'd hose it down, maybe brush it a little with a scrub brush, and (after it dries) spray it with one of those rust neutralizing emulsions. Or maybe just paint it with linseed oil.

I would guess it's Canadian, by the way, since we're tossing wild guesses out there.

i cant believe no one brought this up...unfortunately - i think that fork is bent

Electrolysis and you'll be good to go.

Put it back and let it rest in peace.

LOL! Good one but my screen is full of spilled coffee now :)

The guy on American Pickers would snap that up.

Danielle has already called :thumb: $$$

So, I guess this isn't someone's grail bike? :( My wife thought we won the lottery.

Ha. No.

If you want to ID it, some pictures of that interesting looking chainring might help. I also noticed that on the headbadge, behind the word "Deluxe" is a white K inside an O. Maybe the brand name is "OK"?

Thanks... yes, I plan on some better shots. The head badges and the chainring for sure, then there is that unusual bottom bracket shell.
I knew from the get go this was too far gone, but then you do see them grab some toasty items on Pickers... The wife watches faithfully and got really excited about this one. She bugged me, for good reasons, for a month to post this and see where it went.
-Tom