iolas

yeah, I think I was second-guessing myself on the hawthorne because I knew it wasn't a good bike, and wanted someone to confirm for me that it was in fact, crap. ha!

as far as this raleigh goes, I called him when I saw it, and we talked a bit. I made plans to look at it tonight. I know what you mean, bikes do go very fast here, I got a great deal on a miyata last night, and the guy said he already had 15 or so people trying to have him hold it for them. I got there first, so I walked away with it.

I considered that, but the nishiki is going to take more time than I have for it right now, to restore it the way I want it done. I want something I can be riding in the mean time. I absolutely love the nishiki, don't get me wrong, I just want to take my time and collect everything I want for it.

sailorbenjamin

That Raleigh will make you (and your grandchildren) happy.
Best of luck.

mickey85

Get the Raleigh if you want; however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Hawthorne if it fits you. And, if it's a 2 speed, I'd hop all over that. The American bikes of that era did come with both kickback and manual (with a gearshift) 2 speed hubs. The manual hubs are nearly nonexistant, and I"d be interested in buying that bike, even if it didn't fit me, or if it cost a bit too much, just for the weird factor. It would be worth your time to go and check out the rear hub - if it says "bendix" instead of "shimano" you're in.

That said, the Raleigh is a great bike - I love my Phillips, and the g/f loves her Raleigh. I noticed last night with them side by side that the frames are identical - during the 60's and 70's, apparently even the low-end Nottingham bikes got the same lugs and tubes as the Raleigh Sports.

Mike Mills

He beat me to it. Almost certainly, it's a three speed hub that's out of adjustment. How many speeds are there on the shift lever, two or three?

Maddox

Three cheers for Raleighs!

I'm really glad you didn't go with the Hawthorne...The differences would have likely been imperceptible to the naked eye (cheaper/heavier steel, cruddier wheels/bb/headset/etc), but you would most certainly have noticed it a couple weeks down the road. There's a reason Hawthorne's were knock-offs of Raleighs, while Raleighs are the standard bearer.

But you really can't go wrong with old Sports IMHO.

Here's why I'm a believer - My 3-speed Raleigh Gentleman, affectionately named "Sir Walter" for his namesake.



a few more pics @ velospace

Have fun picking up your new bike! For what it's worth, the two matched Raleigh Sports I picked up last week for my friends were black as well. And as is always necessary on BikeForums, post photos once you've got it!

gna

Yes, I do. It doesn't seem have a Brooks, and the seatpost is pulled out alarmingly far, but that's no big deal. Tires, tuneup would make it worth it. I bought my wife's for $40, but the tires and tubes were shot, the rims had some pitting, and I had to go through and clean and grease everything:
DSCN2274JPG.jpg

iolas

got it! its beautiful!

the seatpost was very high, but the guy I bought it from was tall. the saddle is a vinyl brooks, the tires are new, new cables, paint is in good shape, no major dings or dents, just needs a good clean, everything else is in perfect condition.

took it for a spin, so fun!

will post pics tomorrow!