my raleigh restoration

Post by **andrew.searston** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:58 pm

hi everyone just thought you might like to see some pics of my raleigh restoration
ive sprayed it in a maroon vw colour (originaly blue)
what do you think????

Post by **andrew.searston** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:00 pm

and another pic ive just added a pin stripe of gold on the body of it

Post by **alanworland** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:30 pm

Looks good nice job, a proper bike, must hook up that Sturmey Archer hub though!
It's a shame the dyno hub is no more, it was a good trouble free source of (free) power.

Post by **andrew.searston** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 5:44 pm

thats the next job. need to find a cable for it. and as for the dyno its in the front wheel but past its best
my brother also has one under restoration and its been in the family since new

Post by **paulk** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:16 pm

I'm restoring a 1949 Hercules frame (nearly traffy blue

) at the mo will look similair to yours once done but my current bike is this

1979 Raleigh traveller

Having just got my daughter a new ( to her ) 5 speed derailler bike I love how quiet my 3 speed Sturmey archer is in comparison. Also less maintenance and much less externally to go wrong.

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 7:06 pm

Moved to 'Off Topic'

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:20 pm

My everyday bike. also a Raleigh but a bit newer.... and gear-ier, dropbar-ier and lookatthatsaddleitslikearazorblade-ier.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:42 pm

I have this in my nostalgia collection - check the dude cycling off to his golf match.
Those were the days!

Post by **andrew.searston** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:50 pm

looks a bit like mine
for the restoration and buying the bike its only cost £30
the wheel guards where originaly aluminium but changed them for a more classy look for £12 off ebay

Post by **les** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:46 pm

My everyday bike.

You're joking of course. The Minor must feel like an armchair after that!

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:47 pm

Mick_Anik wrote:I have this in my nostalgia collection - check the dude cycling off to his golf match.
Those were the days!

That "dude" happens to be Basil Fawlty! Riding solo was his only way to stop Sybils nagging

I love the old bikes, but Andrew, please get a round reflector for the back mudguard!

I remember the ergonomically disastrous "racing" bikes being lumped on us in the late 70's, uncomfortable seats, tummy scrunching poise over unnaturally angled handlebars, skinny gripfree tyres etc. Put me off cycling for 20 years until the craze changed to mountain bikes with suspension, grippy tyres, brakes that work and optional gel seats-pure luxury!

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:27 pm

Looking good! I have just got my hold of a 1950ish childs bike complete with rod brakes built by tri-ang. Its been in the family since 1958 but has seen better days.... Any idea were I might find a new saddle? I will take some pics tomorrow

Post by **leyther8008** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:49 am

I,ve a 1940s tandem stored up in my garage roof, bought it years ago to do up but never got round to it, drum brakes with a foot brake for the rear stoker etc. thought it might be fun to ride round shows on it with the wife.
Must get round to selling it.

Post by **alanworland** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:32 pm

About 5 years ago (when my Dad passed away) house clearance meant my brother and I had to deal with Mum & Dads bikes, both Rayleigh's, which dated from 1947 - they were wedding presents to each other.
Dad's did many thousands of miles, it had a Lucas mileometer fitted,
both had totally enclosed chainguards with drum brakes front and rear. Mum's was not used anything like as much and still had 'War Grade' tyres fitted!
Both looked like new, with nickel plated spokes and we were obviously not going to get a lot for them so they ended up being donated to a cycle museum where they could be enjoyed by cycle enthusiasts!
Mum & Dad would have approved.

Post by **Dru** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:42 pm

I really wanted this Batavus to be my perfect bike

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/belvedere/3475445849/" title="Batavus bicycle by Dru Marland, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/347 ... cccf7b.jpg" width="500" height="326" alt="Batavus bicycle" /></a>

...but it was a bit short on the saddle-to-handlebars front, so after I'd restored it it went on Ebay.

This was my previous fave, a Pashley

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/belvedere/2251035640/" title="republic of bikeland by Dru Marland, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/225 ... c0ed84.jpg" width="500" height="481" alt="republic of bikeland" /></a>

...but there were all sorts of things wrong with it, not least being an alarming flexing of the frame on cornering. So I am riding a fairly modern Claud Butler at the moment, while dreaming of the perfect Mixte. A Pedersen would be fun, if it wasn't for that top strap thing...