Raleigh Colt
09-06-09 | 03:52 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Methuen, MA
Bikes: Armstrong, Robin Hood, Hercules, Phillips
Raleigh Colt
I found this today - in my stomach I think i overpaid, but I just couldn't leave it.
It's got a lot of wear on the steel, but it's complete and that rack was just to die for.
It's a Wright leather saddle and the owner (who HAD to be 90) threw in the Brooks mattress for free.
The hub is a 3 speed SA with apparently a coaster brake, to go along with the front brake.
I cleaned off the hub a bit but haven't deciphered the date yet.
when I clean it up I will decide what to do with it, because of its size, its the first male Raleigh I could probably ride.
It's got a lot of wear on the steel, but it's complete and that rack was just to die for.
It's a Wright leather saddle and the owner (who HAD to be 90) threw in the Brooks mattress for free.
The hub is a 3 speed SA with apparently a coaster brake, to go along with the front brake.
I cleaned off the hub a bit but haven't deciphered the date yet.
when I clean it up I will decide what to do with it, because of its size, its the first male Raleigh I could probably ride.
09-06-09 | 05:43 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 864
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From: West of St. Louis
Bikes: (3) 1970's Raleigh Sports, (1) 1968 Robin Hood 3 speed, 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix, 1976 Raleigh Grand Prix, 1969 Peugeot UO-18, 1971 Peugeot UO-08, 1980 Giant road bike, 1954 Humber, 1940ish Hercules Popular, 1963 Dunelt, 2007 Trek 3700 mountain bike
Looks like a nice find to me Erasergirl. Just needs a litte bit of spit and polish to make it shine. And weren't you looking for some mattress saddes a short time ago? Gotta love those Ralieghs.
09-06-09 | 06:04 PM
#4
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Excellent find. Try some aluminum foil and lemon juice on the chrome; start with the fenders. You may be amazed at what you get.
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
09-06-09 | 07:33 PM
#5
holyrollin'
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,324
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From: L.B.N.J.U.S.A.
Bikes: Raleigh, Rudge, James 3spds., and a cast of many
Nice catch! I had the Rudge equivalent of that bike, and it was a good rider. I had to derust and polish like a madman on my Colt, but ALL of the plated parts turned out to be useable. Raleigh chrome must be good quality.
09-06-09 | 07:38 PM
#6
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Nice!
That is only the second hump back frame I have ever seen. My wife rides a Colt, it is the only full sized Raleigh 3 speed she fits on.
Aaron
That is only the second hump back frame I have ever seen. My wife rides a Colt, it is the only full sized Raleigh 3 speed she fits on.Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-06-09 | 10:10 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 864
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From: West of St. Louis
Bikes: (3) 1970's Raleigh Sports, (1) 1968 Robin Hood 3 speed, 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix, 1976 Raleigh Grand Prix, 1969 Peugeot UO-18, 1971 Peugeot UO-08, 1980 Giant road bike, 1954 Humber, 1940ish Hercules Popular, 1963 Dunelt, 2007 Trek 3700 mountain bike
I believe the hump is just a design aspect of the bike.
This is from Oldroads.com:
These were top of the line Raleigh bicycles finished to the full standard of the Sports. That is, Raleigh patent wheels ("Westrick"), brazed fender stays instead of the cheaper bent wire (fewer rattles), and brazons where the lower eschelon models used clamps. The Colt was intended for juveniles and came with 5.5 inch cranks (difficult to find). The boy's model had a distinctive curved top tube.
This is from Oldroads.com:
These were top of the line Raleigh bicycles finished to the full standard of the Sports. That is, Raleigh patent wheels ("Westrick"), brazed fender stays instead of the cheaper bent wire (fewer rattles), and brazons where the lower eschelon models used clamps. The Colt was intended for juveniles and came with 5.5 inch cranks (difficult to find). The boy's model had a distinctive curved top tube.
09-06-09 | 10:13 PM
#10
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
Looks like a sweet enough bike to me! 
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
09-07-09 | 07:10 AM
#11
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Posts: 16,853
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From: On the road-USA
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Lower the saddle to pedal dimension and possibly to shorten the reach to the handlebars? Just guessing.
Aaron
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-07-09 | 08:14 AM
#12
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 386
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From: Methuen, MA
Bikes: Armstrong, Robin Hood, Hercules, Phillips
thanks!
i hadn't thought of that.
IF that had been the result of a crash then something about the lower bar and headset would have been wonky..that's the 1st thing i looked for.
09-07-09 | 09:46 AM
#13
Here is a green girls model that's been lying around for a while in my garage. You're right EraserGirl, the rack design is cool. It says Prestube Minor on it with a patent number. The pedals are pretty sharp as well.
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Last edited by BlankCrows; 09-07-09 at 09:52 AM.
09-07-09 | 09:59 AM
#14
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From: angus scotland
Bikes: Grifter BSA 20
Ive got a couple of Raleigh Phasers.
They are 24" wheeled boys roadsters. But Ive converted them into a MTB and a BMX.
I got a roadster thats the same frame but has 26" wheels. Its a gold colour.
Its got MTB cranks on it. Going to be nine speed. Triple chainset with a 3 speed hub.
They are 24" wheeled boys roadsters. But Ive converted them into a MTB and a BMX.
I got a roadster thats the same frame but has 26" wheels. Its a gold colour.
Its got MTB cranks on it. Going to be nine speed. Triple chainset with a 3 speed hub.
09-07-09 | 11:34 AM
#15
Lug Princess
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Easthaven Isle, ME
I see the Colts every now and then in Boston, but I think in other areas of the US they are pretty rare. Those original Raleigh racks alone are quite desirable! And I would love to find a 26" wheel with an AWC hub for my Ladies Sports - which has the regular AW (non-coasterbrake) hub.
Last edited by Veloria; 09-07-09 at 11:46 AM.
09-07-09 | 11:36 AM
#16
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From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Bikes: one of each
I think that's the first Colt I've seen in green. I like it better than the usual candy colors that they came in.
The top tube also allows a longer head tube with the shorter seat tube, like on the older american frames or the modern (but less pleasing) sloping top tubes.
The top tube also allows a longer head tube with the shorter seat tube, like on the older american frames or the modern (but less pleasing) sloping top tubes.
