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OldRoads.com
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| I admire & collect quality bicycles & other items that I deem useful & asthetically pleasing - items I like to have around the homestead to admire & use. I really like the quality of some products from pre-1960's UK. Someone recently questioned my "loyalty" as an American! This came about when I was expressing my opinion of British motorcycles from earlier years, and how I would much prefer a Matchless (and others) over a Harley, and a Raleigh over a Schwinn. If you want to raise the ire of someone who owns a Harley -just suggest to them that a Harley isn't somehow better than other makes from abroad...and lookout! I told this person that balloon tire bicycles, and real loud exhaust notes aren't my thing. I might as well have told him I didn't like his mom! Harley Davidson has fans of fierce loyality - I'll have to be careful in the future with my opinions. |
| I get the same reaction from British MC fans when I tell them I prefer German quality and own two BMWs...HA! Seriously though...any Norton Dominator, BSA Goldie, Ariel Red Hunter, Triumph Thunderbird or any Velocette, Vincent, Matchless or Brough would suit me just fine. Stylish motorcycles that often mirrored the quality of british bicycles. Funny how the German MC's (Beemers, Zundapf, NSU) didn't really have any famous counterparts in the bicycle world...or none that really became popular in the west. |
| Gosh, Brian, I don't know where you live but here (Washington, DC) British anything is revered! People love seeing and talking about British bicycles and yes the conversation often veers off to British motorbikes, motorcars (everyone over the age of 55 owned an MG Midget!), "Lucas the Prince of Darkness" etc. It would all be just too embarassing for any self-effacing Brit to stomach! Pity the dreary marketing blokes for Raleigh never tagged along with me on a ride around here... they hadn't a clue as to the goodwill and respect that "Made in England" script on the toptube means overhere. And by the way, that was reserved solely for export machines! P.C. Kohler |
| Warren: As late as yesterday morning while walking from the trainstation to my work in the center of Copenhagen (it was raining heavily, so I didn't rode a bike) I much to my surprice saw an old NSU bicycle, which I do not recall to have seen before. I have seen Opels and Adlers etc. - but no NSUs until now. In bicycling Denmark there have been - and still are - a lot of english bikes (95 pct. Raleighs), while germans bikes are more rarely seen. I guess that this is because from the early years of bicycling many danes regarded english bikes as being of superior quality. Concerning motorcars until 30-40 years ago the danish market were roughly split between english and german cars (mainly Austin, Morris, Ford (german and english), VW, Audi, Opel, Mercedes etc.). Now its all gone japanese and korean... And french cars have become very popular recently due to their fashionable design. By the way: In the early 80's a friend and I spent about six months in Southern California, and to get around we bought a 1972 R75, which were fully loaded with sidebags, trunk and a full upright windscreen with a stereo! We left it that way, but you wouldn't see a beemer dressed like that over here. It gotta be more sporty! Take care Jacob |
| I am restoring a recently aquired Lenton Sports. I have the frame only and need EVERYTHING else(drop bars,Bluemels ivory fenders,4 speed hub,rims,b15 saddle,dynohub,lights,pedals)in other words everything on the list at RetroRaleighs.com.(under Lenton Sports) If anyone of my fellow bike addicts has any of these items for sale,please contact me.Thanks |
| Did anyone here go to the Larz Anderson Bike Show last sunday? I couldn't make it. Broke my ankle. How was it? Were there a lot of bikes there? |
| There were a few early highwheel/boneshakers, few custom choppers, few prewar, few balloon tire, and very many impressive lightweights. I did not see any old roadsters although there were a few custom types with modern components. I was there for about 30 minutes in the morning – maybe more machines rolled in after that. But I estimate I saw about 100 machines and a thin crowd. It was fun chatting with folks as usual, but without the swap meet I was not interested in staying very long. |
| Thanks for the info. I wish that I could have gone to the show. I think that eliminating flea market was a bad idea. Last year I spent the whole day there and picked up some nice hard to find parts too. |
| Not quite the right list, but you guys are knowledgeable... Are Sturmey Archer drum brakes and AW hub strong enough for use on a Schwinn Town & Country tandem? I plan to build wheels for my naked frame soon. |
| I'd have no problem using a 40 hole AW hub but I wouldn't count on the drum brake unless it was one of the newer models and even then... Sachs makes a 4 speed with internal coaster brake these days. Shimano makes a decent roller brake. Normally I would use vintage stuff but when it comes to brakes, it is preferable to have something very safe, especially on a tandem. |
| S/A did make an oversize drum brake/3spd for tandems, but these are very rare to come by. A more easier option would be to use an AB (3spd 90mm drum) coupled with canti or caliper brakes. Hook up a bar con shifter on the left handle bar to use the drum brake as a drag brake for downhill descents. |
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2172717252&category=420 Looks SHARP! Not my auction... Later!!! Boneman |
| 23" frame, you big guys looking for a rider. Gotta pick up near Chicago, however. |
| I saw that one too. I would have bid but he says no pickup, delivery only. Kind of a bummer because it's a nice clean one. The same seller also has a Schwinn Typhoon project. |
| If you need a nice, "non contemporary looking" helmet to go with your English Roadster, check out the nifty black helmets at Vespa dealers, of course... now you need the right threads, maybe some khaki shorts and definitely the Adidas Originals EM Comp Cycle shoes will do the trick. |
| I am puzzled. My new toy, a 1949 Raleigh Clubman, has rims marked "Dunlop LA 26 x 1/4 Made in England". I assumed "LA" stands for light alloy 'cause that's what they are. What they are not are the Endricks listed in the catalogue. And they are almost assuredly not replacements but original fit. What they are is Raleigh pattern type rims or at very least "dimpled" rims with the raised centre spoke section. Very pronounced and very Westrick just narrowier. Has anyone seen these before? They are not listed in the Raleigh spoke chart which is pretty comprehensive. This lists 26 x 1/4" rims in Endrick, High Pressure or Conloy; are these rims on my machine perchance one of the latter? P.C. Kohler |
| I have several sets of Connloy rims on track and roadrace bikes from the 30's to the early 50's and all are very smooth semi-cicular section without any flat sides for brake blocks. They are only marked with a transfer (no NOT a decal!)but I always understood that Connloy were an independent manufacturer not part of Dunlop so if your rims are marked Dunlop I do not think they will be Connloy's. Regards, Ian. |
| I have one such EA-1 rim in my basement but I can't find any markings on it. It is chromed steel...defintiely Westrick. It had a union hub so I thought it might be German. It stuck me as being very strong. |
| Hello All I've come across these Dunlops before, but they aren't all that common and I don't think they were made for long The ones I had were on a Raleigh Clubman of about the same age as Peter's I think they only came in 26 inch. there was another rim of a very simular pattern called the Alumite KP rim |
| Hello Again. Just found a reference in the 1949 Holdsworth catalog to the alloy Dunlops. They were listed in 26 and 27 inch and at 39 shillings and sixpence a pair. The Alumite rims I mentioned was the British production of the " World-Famous prewar KP alloy rims". KP stands for "Kron- Prinz" |
| Many thanks for these helpful replies. Sounds like this Clubman has better (or more interesting!) rims than my 1948 Clubman still in England. And now, of course, I have to keep both in the collection!! It seems fair to say that of all components, rims were the most varied and variable at least c. 1947-55. Even the catalogue specs varied year-to-year from chrome, lightweight steel, alloy, stainless steel etc. And nost just the fancy club bikes either. If these Dunlop rims cost 39 s. 6 d. a pair back in 1949 they were obviously pretty state of the art. All I know is that they help make this 1948 Clubman the sweetest running mount I've ever had; she's a veritable rocket and has already shown her "RI" marked reflector to a number of much lighter and way newer machines. P.C. Kohler |
| I was sitting in the chair and the little voice says to me: Don't waste your time! You ain't gonna find anything! You're not able to find the good stuff, It'll be all picked over and you know it! Don't bother! So I set off anyways, all negative and bummed out before I even start to look. I go anyways, pressing on. The dude in the truck is doing the same thing I am. Well I'm looking and I see handlebars sticking out. OOHH, What is it going to be? I find a Raleigh Sports with a Dyno hub front and an S.W. hub. The S.W. has the wrong nut on one side. It is the smaller four speed open ended nut. Today's find was a Gitanne with a leather Ideale seat and variuous French widgets. Campagnolo pump frame clips and other bits. Lyotard pedals! Look, if you look enough you'll find the goodies! Don't worry they are out there, and even though there are others about to get in front of, you'll do ok. Don't listen to the negative little voice because you know from past experience that in order to find you have to look. Who know what you are gonna find! Go! What bugs me is I don't know what to pick up sometimes. Example was the 1960's or 1970's wagon marked Sears. It had mag wheels but was still a common old wagon. I think it was boarderline and it wasn't in that good of shape. I dunno. I think In should have grabbed it. It was free, for heavens sake! I really don't see that many wagons. I left it. The Sports was spray painted Gold and somebody had been doing homemade pinstriping on it and so I saved all the parts off of it because the chrome was good and was not painted. |
| I just came across this, whilst researching my newest pair of Dr. Martens (the last one lasted me 6.5 years), and thought, "Oh no! It cannot be!" http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2356519.stm Does England no longer stand for quality? David |
| Awful to see this happening. |
| Why doesn't the whole world just become China? All cheap tat made by slave labour (quite literally in many cases) bought by mindless millions to whom price is everything. I think the last quality thing manufactured by the Chinese was the Great Wall. And I'll bet 10 shillings they sew-in little Union Jacks on these boots too. Any hostility is better direct againt the craven British owners who, like Raleigh, couldn't market their way out of a sack. British labour makes the best "stuff" in the world, British execs just cannot sell it on the open market. P.C. Kohler |
| I love my English bikes, but like everything in the world, there must be change. If Raleigh still made high quality bikes, they wouldn't be coveted, collected and restored as they are today. Some of those new chinese bikes are pretty amazing, a technology boom was due, no great strides were made from the 1940's-60s. China picked up the ball where the U.S. and England did not, investing billions in factories. If one reads 'NO Hands-the rise and fall of Schwinn' (this slow death was paralleled by raleigh) you can see the the bicycle buisiness was handed to Asia. I have yet to buy a Asian bike but when I snoop around a new bike shop, it's pretty amazing what you can get for $4-$600. Ajusted for inflation, thats about what a Raleigh cost in the 70's. These new bikes are just a whole new breed, internal 7 speed, disc brakes, all alloy & 25 lbs. Everything changes, you can't even find a radio made in the US on UK, used to be over 500 factories. In anothr 30 years it'll be a whole new story all over again in the bike world! |
| Yea, Lacoste almost went bankrupt when they started making their Polos in foreign countries and they are at it again, why pay $80.00 bucks for a polo made in a third world country, who's stashing the difference, wages are much lower, is it slave lavour, at least sell products for less, are we making someone reacher, |
| I don't know Drew; I remember as a kid when Raleighs were still very much being made, in England, by English hands and wrought by English engineering, and coveting them. A lot. And they cost a FORTUNE. Far more than cheap bikes. There have always been cheap, crummy bikes. Like the Chinese made Huffy outside my apartment building. New from last year. Already rusted! The point is I and many others then were (are) willing, even excited at having to save. A lot. To have the best. Nowadays, even the so-called "best", of almost everything, is made in China. I want and am willing to pay for a bicycle or a product that's more than the sum of its "cheapest" parts from the international bin. It's just getting very hard. Times do change. But for the better? P.C. Kohler, delighted to pass Asian made tat on a 54-year-old Nottingham product... several times a ride! |
| P.C.Kohler, In the end I agree with you, we do after all have to be seen riding the bikes we own, and the ladies seem to take notice when I'm on my '74 DL1 that I've spent four years detailing. At heart, I'm a quality vintage bike person, but as I've said, some of these new machines look very ridable since I have a serious back injury. But in the end, have not laid down 1 cent for a asian bike, Just assume go through life with a bit of class. |
| For me, quality has taken a back seat to buying from the USA or 1st world countries when it comes to first hand products. Sometimes it is just not possible to buy a quality product made in the USA anymore, although the same may not be true for England; I would have to agree that I have never encountered a poorly made English product. Several years ago, when I learned that Dr. Martens was moving a portion of their production to China, I predicted that the steel toe production would probably soon follow. So I decided to switch to Redwings (made here in Minnesota). Unfortunately some of Redwing's production has also moved overseas. But all of their work boots (identifiable by the 'Vibram' sole) are still made by the union shop in my home state. If you're looking for a substitute boot, you may want to start in Minnesota. Unfortunately we have no substitutes for S/A here. Maybe someday. Until then, Happy Mayday (international labor day)! |
| Wasn't Raleigh&Phillips the cheap import bikes that Schwinn and Huffy had to compeat with in the 50s?Were not the English worker workin cheap because there econ. was in the tolit after the boming england took in WW2.This is in no way saying raleighs were cheaply made--unlike walMart bikes today.But I do see very nice bikes still being built in england and the USA , they just can't be had at wal mart prices. |
| Life's getting difficult now that I'm boycotting practically everything. No Walmart, Home Depot, Starbucks, and the Golden Olympus restaurant near my office. |
| I agree nothing beats a British made Raleigh from the golden era but things do change. Schwinn's are not my cup of tea but they were a great bike, I own an American made Chigaco Schwinn and I have to admire it's lines and durability. We are also comparing cheap department store bikes of today with the finest Raleigh bikes of yesterday. I grew up in a blue collar town and no one had a Raleigh except the Irish gentleman down the street(He still has it and rides it 30 years later), they were too expensive. Fact is cheap department store bikes have ALWAYS been junk and to indict the entire modern bicycle industry because of the trash they sell at Walmart(or Woolworth's) is ludicrous. Let's not compare apples with oranges or imply that everything from Asia is junk. I have two Fuji road bikes that I find to be of very high quality and very affordable, and I have heard it said that the finest scooter ever produced was a Fuji Rabbit and not a Vespa or Lambretta. Go to a bicycle shop and look and price good bicycles, no they are not like Ralieghs but there are quality bikes being made. Personally I think the Bianchi Milano looks like a hot ride that may give a DL-1 a run for it's money for $600. |
| Hi In 1965 I had a Triumph 19 and a half inch frame bike. It was sky blue with dark blue mudguards and chainguard. It had an integral hub dynamo on the front wheel, a white saddle and saddlebag. Can anyone tell me what the model name would have been? I can be contacted on james.robinson@oaklands.ac.uk. Thanks |
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3606289895&category=7298 Sad shape.... breaks my heart... Worth salvaging do ya think? Later!!1 Boneman |
| That's definitely worth restoring. I've fixed up worse but with six days left I know it's going to go for alot more than I'd be willing to pay...ALOT more. |
| I see... well, it will be interesting to watch. I have a whole pile of bikes sittin' here waiting for attention and don't really need another one just now.... but we'll see. I would imagine a complete stripdown and full re-paint would be necessary. I guess the only identifying mark you could save on it would be the headbadge. Later!!! Boneman |
| Poor shape? This looks pretty good to me! I'd get out the polishing compound and roll up the sleeves before I'd even think about a repaint on this one. BUT... this is a late 60s Humber Sports (I'd guess 1969) so you aren't getting much different from a Raleigh or Rudge of that era: no "little men" chainwheel, no bi-fork, no "By Appointment to His Late Majesty King George VI" brass badge. And no Royal Blue since it's not a de luxe model. But if the reserve is reasonable, this would polish up nicely. P.C. Kohler |
| Polishing compound (#11) and some black Kiwi shoe polish, and you would be shocked at how nice that bike could look. However, it doesn't have the biforcated fork, or the Humber chainring! I would let it slide........ |
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2172509729&category=420 Pretty neat lookin' bike. 28" wheels... single speed with coaster brake. Not my auction, not related to or acquainted with seller. later!!! BOneman |
| Larry I have the exact bike in my garage maybe 1955 or so. Mine has the original T Eatons Bulldog whitewall tires. These bikes are great to ride. Like all the old English made bikes it is a classic. Rides great, solid and smooth. I also have 2 prewar T Eatons bikes, a single top bar and a double top bar with truss rod fork. |
| I am restoring a Rudge for the London to Brighton in June Does anyone know how to remove the steering lock cylinder which is fitted onto the downtube lug on my frame Also does this give a clue to the age of the bike,the hub gear says 53 but may not be original. Thanks Ren |
| http://oldroads.com/ra_exp.html Scroll all the way down to the end and you'll see it. Get one of those small flashlights or torches as the Brits call them and shine a light in there. Good Luck! |
| Yes, I would think that the year 1953 is right. Go to http://oldroads.com/ra_exp.html scroll all the way down and you'll see it. From there, I don't know as I have never removed one of these. If you have trouble, give us another shout here. The other fellows probably have and I remember no tales of fork lock nightmares here in the past. Good Luck |
| To remove the lock you will first have to remove the anchoring screw. This screw "Clamps" the lock into it's housing, on Raleigh machines this is located behind the other chrome "dimple". Once this screw is removed you need to turn up the little locking pin with the key, then grasp the pin with a pair of pliars, twist, and out pops the pin. Now the body of the lock slips right out. Getting the lock back is just the same, only more frustrating.... |
| Thanks to Martha Stewart's T.V. show I have been bitten by the Vespa bug and this time it took ahold and ran all through me. The piece was well done and as usual with Martha Stewart's work, it was well rounded and informative and there is no room to critize as it was a good feature on the scooter's past, present and future! Well, I already had a lead on a old one and there was interest a simmering anyways and I have literature in the collection. Today Martha had this awesome piece on Vespa and it featured these two folks who are active enthusists. I returned and watched it and something jumped into me. Before I could say "Get outta me!" It took over. Now all of a sudden, I want a Vespa scooter. Italian cycle posters and bicycles already have a fond place in my heart. Buzzing along with a lady on the back of the scooter, in Rome, Italy, back in the 1960's with the 60's fashons. I'm grinning and her hair is blowing softly in the breeze and we have the whole weekend. The romance and awesome -ness of the scooter that can go a bit faster than the common moped that we are familiar with. |
| Bring $4K in US dollars up to Toronto and visit La Motoretta in Toronto's Little Italy. Scooters to die for... http://www.motoretta.ca Martha scares me...that's a good thing. |
| Had a 200 Vespa about 20 years ago. Bought it new and rode it about 40,000 miles as it was my only tranportation at the time. Lots of fun and extremely reliable. Only downside was that it tapped out at about 70 on the hwy if there was no headwind. But for running around town they are hard to beat. |
| Check out a website belonging to Clash Enterprises. Lotsa scooters to see and buy. Matthew |
| A new shop opened near my Florida home recently. The new propietor had bought a lot of parts and tools from a shop that had recently closed. He was nice enough to let me rummage through the old stuff. There was a fair amount of Raleigh bits and pieces but one item in particular took my eye. This S/A hub had two freewheel cogs on the RH side and a fixed cog on the other side. If my memory is correct it also had a lever on each side that was in the shape of the fixed levers used for coaster brakes. I don't remember seeing any date stamplngs but won't say there were none. It was a heavy article to say the least. We didn't talk seriously about price but he did say it would be in the range of $150 if he decided to sell it. I often pick up 3 speed hubs if not too expensive but am not interested in them in that price range. If this is something that is someones holy grail, E-mail me and I will give you the address. I did buy a good man's Raleigh Sports and a fine ladies model in silver with a mint Brooks matress saddle, seat bag, and lighting set. The paint, decals, and chrome was good on the man's model. It rides like a Sports should after complete diss-assembly and lubing. New tires, brake pads, and chain were fitted. Someone had driven a bolt in place of one of the cotters. After 2 days of carefull tinkering I got it out without damage to the crank and axle. I haven't touched the ladies model yet which only needs cleaning and lubing to be a prime example of the Sports model. Thats 2 more Sports that escaped the knackers (you Brits know what I mean). |
| Guys and gals, isn't the hub he's talking about for a 3 wheel adult tricycle and not worth what he's being asked to pay? It is not rare and unless you really need one for your adult three wheeler I would pass on it. What four speed hubs and or parts does this fellow have on hand? Any two piece indicator chains in the stash of loot? four speed trigger shifters? Any that are marked 3- 4 ? Juy Simplex hubs? the older stuff. Any Juy Simplex 543 hubs? Cinelli bi valent hubs? Sturmey- Archer A.S.C. hubs? the three speed fixed hubs? Any Sturmey- Archer hubs that are not the usual A.W. three speed hubs. Enclosed chaincases? Whole bikes?Rod brake roadsters? Ask what else there is? Buy the stuff I mentioned and let us know. |
| Sounds to me Chris, like a flip flop hub of sorts. An adult three wheeler usually has a single cog mounted on the right side driving a single speed od three speed coaster hub. In the middle of the hub is, welded to the shell, a two piece gear to drive the rear axle. At least this is how the later Schwinn's were outfitted. The earlier ones had a jackshaft running across the bike to drive a standard rear wheel. Without having a photo to look at, it's all subject to interpertation of the description. |
| I think Stacey is right. And of course without a picture it is foggy. I hope the fellow looks for and picks up the items I mentioned. |
| Chris, you certainly know more about S/A hubs than I do but I cannot fathom why one would make or buy a 3 wheeler with a flip flop hub unless it was some sort of racer. I have a bunch of 3 wheelers and see dozens more in Florida each winter and the only hubs I have seen are single and three speed S/A, and two speed back-pedal shift Schwinns. Yet nothing would surprise me. |
| I think I mis spoke on this one. Look for and buy the things I mentioned. |