kohl57

I have extensively re-written and expanded my previously published (on the RetroRaleighs site) article on the Raleigh Lenton series on my Ipernity site:

ipernity: The Raleigh Lentons: 1948-1960 by Peter Kohler

This covers the Raleigh Super Sports, Lenton Sports, Lenton Tourist, Lenton Marque III and Lenton Grand Prix as well as its Rudge, Humber and Triumph versions. It doesn't include the Super Lenton as that will be included in a future article along with the Raleigh Record Ace Moderne.

As this can be readily edited, corrections/suggestions/additions are welcome.

Peter Kohler

italianbiker

Great Site BTW, I have two lentons that I love but have not ridden in years. I have an old Lenton Sport frame in the garage somewhere, 531 frame. I should donate it...

CV-6 

Well done, as always. I noticed that the heron chain rings disappeared after the 1948 model. Anyone ever come across a 48 catalog with the Lenton Sports?

BTW...you are no Newbie. LOL

Bike tinker man

Nice photo but unless its an optical allusion the stem is not lined up with head set ? unless its out too far ?

Prowler 

[QUOTE=kohl57;17436118]I have extensively re-written and expanded my previously published (on the RetroRaleighs site) article on the Raleigh Lenton series on my Ipernity site [QUOTE]

Thanks Peter. GREAT to see you are writing again. Your site was too quiet for a while.

Wildwood

Thank you for showing us your site.

auchencrow

Yeah! - and I only just now discovered it. GREAT stuff, man!

italianbiker

Hmmm...I've never ridden this one. I'll take a look

nlerner

And now I know my Lenton Sports is no older than '52, given the Reg Harris/flame decal on the seat tube. Thanks, Peter!

CV-6 

Since everyone else is showing their Lentons, here is mine. It has a long touring history with its PO, who was a friend of Ray Florman here in St Louis. As you can see, it has been modified with a Simplex rear derailleur. I purchased it from Raymond (Ray's son) and it is in the process of being refurbished. I really do not want to refinish it as the correct markings are not available. I will have to do something with the TT. I am hoping to resolve that and have it look "old". I have the correct brakes for it and a period correct trigger. Fenders of course are much later. I do not intend to do anything with them other than polishing. Serial places it in 1948.

Lenton Sports 001 by CV6Enterprises, on Flickr

kohl57

Yours is a 1946-47 Lenton Sports which, confusingly, is actually the predecessor to the Clubman. It was never listed in any catalogue although depicted in the 1948 catalogue as the Clubman. It was unique in many ways including the 21" inch frame and the Golden Arrow chainring. See my article on the Clubman series which more details. Interesting that all of the surviving examples of these appear to be here in the US and proof that right after the war the value Britain put on exports. A very rare machine and wonderful that it's in original paint etc. What is the serial number?

CV-6 

Peter. Not sure if you are referring to mine, but here is the serial.

Lenton Sports 012 by CV6Enterprises, on Flickr

rhm

Peter,
Thanks for that article and the other great stuff on your website!

Are you familiar with this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post14616569
docbilly's bike has features I haven't seen elsewhere, such as Dunlop special lightweight rims in the size now known as 700c. But presumably original, assuming his bike was made for the south american market.

Aside from this... One day I would love to see an addendum to your article, something like an epilogue to the Lenton story, where you might catalog the downward spiral of the "Lenton" bikes after 1960. I have seen truly bizarre things, like a Craig's list as for Robin Hood Lenton Sports ten speed with 27" wheels, Huret Alvit gears, and graphics very much like the 1962 Lenton Sports i once had. The Craig's list even provided a link to your article, to justify an outrageous price! I don't suppose such an article would be a great not to write... but there's a need, you know!

rhm

Peter, Thanks for that article and the other great stuff on your website!

Are you familiar with this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post14616569
docbilly's bike has features I haven't seen elsewhere, such as Dunlop special lightweight rims in the size now known as 700c. But presumably original, assuming his bike was made for the south american market.

Aside from this... One day I would love to see an addendum to your article, something like an epilogue to the Lenton story, where you might catalog the downward spiral of the "Lenton" bikes after 1960. I have seen truly bizarre things, like a Craig's list as for Robin Hood Lenton Sports ten speed with 27" wheels, Huret Alvit gears, and graphics very much like the 1962 Lenton Sports i once had. The Craig's list even provided a link to your article, to justify an outrageous price! I don't suppose such an article would be a great joy to write... but there's a need, you know!

kohl57

Raleigh/Robin Hood did offer a "Lenton Sports" to the US market c. 1961-62 but it was not in anyway the same machine as the "real" Lenton Sports being made of 2030 steel only and a cheap entry level "racer" with Huret derailleur or AW hub. To further confuse things (and this stuff can make your head spin!), there was also a Robin Hood version of the Lenton Sports/Clubman of 1946 wonderfully called The Sherwood Arrow but this, too, was in 2030 steel and not Reynolds 531.

bikeboy100

Does anyone know how many teeth the rear sprocket should have with the three speed? Why did they have a 46 tooth chain ring?

rhm

They usually came with a 18t cog on the rear. A lot of us switch it out to something bigger, like a 21 or 22.

Why a 46? I couldn't say. I imagine that size became more or less standard many years earlier, and by the period we're talking about the reason would have been "because that's what we use."

bikeboy100

I bought this last year thinking it was something special. It turns out it is a 1970 Sports model. Somebody went to a lot of trouble making it into something that it was never intended to be. It was uncomfortable for me at first, but I am thinking or trying it again with a longer stem.

highwheeler50

wish I could find a Lenton.... oh well...