Early Raleigh Pedals

If you've been following my posts on refurbishing the 1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist, you know I've been wanting to replace the pedals.  The current pedals are from the 1970 Sports I used for the Scorcher Project.  These are the later version Raleigh pedals that are not re-buildable, and have a reflector.  I recently obtained a odd lot of early Raleigh pedals from eBay.  Included were three different style pedals with rubber blocks all 3 1/2" long (wide),  and  couple that are 4" long.  According to some web sources the 3 1/2" pedals were for ladies frames and the 4" were for the gents.  My 1949 Comrade Roadster uses 4" pedals and fit my wide feet much better then the 3 1/2" blocks.  Here are some pictures of the differences between the pedals in the lot.

3 1/2" diamond pattern block with "Raleigh" spelled out.  These are the proper type for the 1953 Sports, which I will rebuild and clean using parts from the other pedals in the lot.  I just wish they were the wider 4" style.

3 1/2" chevron pattern block with "Raleigh Industries" logo.  I don't know when these were in production; however, Raleigh Industries was formed in 1946 and lasted until 1960 when it was merged with Tube Investments (TI).  I have seen this chevron pattern on a 1956 Sports. 

3 1/.2" diamond pattern block with "Sir Walter Raleigh" logo.  I think this is the more modern of the three styles, this same block style was used when reflectors were added in the 1970"s.

Sir Walter Raleigh logo

If anyone has additional info on the timelines and different pedal styles used on Raleigh 3-speeds please share.  I'm looking for 4" blocks, 4" pedal spindles, and the threaded dust caps.  If you know of any sources, or have some to sell please let me know.

1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist Model 23

In my previous post "And so it Begins" I described refurbishing my custom Reynolds 531 10-speed, then getting redirected to a classic 1949 Comrade 3-speed.  Both of these efforts required numerous trips to my local bike shop Velo Classique for parts and advice.  On each of these trips I would walk pass a rusted hulk of a bike standing upright in a stand in front of the shop.  I paid little attention to it until the interest in three-speeds set-in.  This poor bike sat outside in all weather, the paint and chrome were completely rusted, someone had used a hacksaw to make the full fenders into half-fenders and removed the lower portion of the enclosed chaincase.  It had two sets of rusted headlamps on the handlebar, and both a tire driven bottle generator and a Sturmey-Archer front Dynohub.  There was industrial strength Scotch brand yellow reflective tape on every frame tube, these were the only places rust was not growing.  At some point it had been painted over including all decals, it did have a Raleigh headbadge, which was also painted over.  From the fork, and what was left of the fenders I could tell it was a Raleigh Sports. It had a Sturmey-Archer AW hub stamp dated 10-53 (Oct. 1953) and a Dynohub dated 9-53 (Sep. 1953).  After some research on the web I was able to determine this was a Sports Tourist Model 23, the distinguishing feature is the enclosed chaincase. The Model 22 Sports Light Roadster came equipped with a "hockey-stick" chain guard.  The Tourist model also could be equipped with optional Dynohub and lighting, which this bike has.      

I've always wanted to replicate the look of the classic English path racer/scorcher type bike.

These are very minimalistic looking bikes with no fenders, chain guard , brake levers etc. I thought the frame from this rusted hulk could serve as a starting point for a path racer type project, so I became the owner of a forsaken, mistreated 1953 Raleigh Sports.

I envisioned the project being a mix of modern and period parts, I wanted to retain the cotter cranks and iconic Heron chainwheel.  I started sourcing/ordering parts the project, but soon got involved in other interest and priorities.  In the intervening time I acquired a good assortment of used three-speed parts, and 2 additional  Raleigh Sports, a 1970, and 1972 "Gold Edition" (unique Gold paint, but lower quality components).  Once I got reengaged on the path racer project I started disassembly of the 1953 Sports.  Unfortunately I did not take any pictures before disassembly.  This is picture of the rusty components removed from the frame.

 

I sprayed all of the rusty fasteners with penetrating oil and let everything sit overnight.  The only component that resisted removal was the fixed cup of the bottom bracket, after several attempts I ordered the fixed cup remover from Bike Smith Design which took care of the problem.

Once the frame was stripped of its rusty components I could appreciate some of the unique aspects of this frame compared to later Sports frames.  There is a oiler port in the bottom bracket.

Below the set lug there is a braze-on for the traditional Sturmey Archer pulley, later models used a clamp-on pulley.

There is a braze-on the chainstay behind the chainwheel for attaching the enclosed chaincase  

The front fork dropouts are forged instead of stamped, with reliefs on the outer edges to accept the earlier style shoulder axle nuts (if you have picture of this type of nut please send a picture).  The Sports fork on the right is the later stamped style.  The fork on the right is the 1953.

The seat lug also shows the frame serial number 8811BT, according to the site at  http://kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleighserials.html this seems to confirm the frame as being a 1953.

I'm now starting to re-think my decision to use this frame for a path racer project.  It has several  original characteristics that were unique to the older Sports frames, so I'm thinking now I will use the frame from the 1970 Sports for the path racer project, and return the 1953 Sports to a near original state.  Next step will be replacing the hacksawed enclosed chaincase.

Please share your thoughts and experiences.  

And So It Begins...

I've always enjoyed cycling, so after a forty year hiatus I started refurbishing my custom built Reynolds 531 framed 10-speed road bike.  After many trips to Velo Classique in Purcellville, VA.( www.veloclassique.com/‎ ) for parts and advice I was back on the road.  I quickly realized the 1970's era 10-speed was not nearly as comfortable as I once remembered.  My older self now preferred a more upright riding position, I still enjoyed riding the 10-speed, but I thought maybe its time for a different type of bike to "cruise" the local trails and events.

I live near the western terminus of the popular rails-to-trail Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) bike trail.  This is a 45 mile trail that links with other bike trails in the Washington DC area providing ride opportunities of various lengths, eateries/vineyards/brew pubs, and historic points of interest.  I wanted a comfortable bike to enjoy this great local resource,  I have little interest in modern bikes I wanted a classic steel, diamond framed bike.  I also wanted a bike that needed some TLC.  I enjoy old-tech mechanical things, one of my other passions is classic British sports cars.  I have a MGB that I restored and still keeps me busy.  I have found there are many similarities between researching and restoring classic British cars and bicycles.

My search started with checking thrift shops, and searching local craigslist and ebay for a suitable bike.  I found a 1949 Comrade Roadster nearby.  I was unfamiliar with this make, but it was old, needed work, and had a Sturmey Archer 3-speed AW hub .  There are more pictures here http://www.flickr.com/photos/73emgee/sets/72157624401628722/

Before

After

             














The bike was built by the Comrade Cycle Company of Darlaston England. I learned about 3-speed hubs, cotter cranks, rod-brakes, quadrant shifters, dynohubs, and many other interesting subjects during the restoration.  If you have any information on the Comrade Cycle Company please let me know.

Of course this bike is very heavy compared to my Reynolds 531 10-speed, but it rides nice, and is comfortable.  Its been on many peaceful rides down the W&OD, DC Tweed rides, DC Seersucker rides, and recently a nighttime full-moon ice cream social ride ending on the National Mall.  The dynohub with converted front/rear LED lighting worked great.

Next up is a 1953 Raleigh Sports Tourist Model 23 acquired from Velo Classique.  I plan on documenting my efforts in getting this very incomplete, rusted hulk back on the road.

Please share your thoughts and experiences.