Raleigh Sprite 27...Just Got It

[HARPO]

Nice bike! Looks like sprite 27 was introduced in ‘72 and was offered in 5speed and 10speed. Here is a pic from the 73 catalog.

View attachment 1517256

Seat tube on mine doesn't have the Black decal on it like in the above photo, (mine also has the earlier brake levers that are non-adjusting) but the earlier two bands of gold like the early to late 60's Raleigh's. Yet, it does have the same chain guard. Hmm...

 

[HARPO]

@atilly You'll soon learn that @juvela is a human computer when it comes to all things involving cycling (and probably a lot more).

BTW...I just measured the frame and it's 25''. Ironically I took it for a quick spin and all is positioned perfectly for me.

 

[slowride]

Seat tube on mine doesn't have the Black decal on it like in the above photo, (mine also has the earlier brake levers that are non-adjusting) but the earlier two bands of gold like the early to late 60's Raleigh's. Yet, it does have the same chain guard. Hmm...

Maybe yours is an early one and they were running out old stock parts and decals from the 26” wheel sprites?

 

[PatrickZ]

Nice Sprite! I have one like it in coffee in addition to three other Sprite 27s. I believe they were first offered in 1971 based upon advertising (google books shows some ads from 1971). Some of the early ones had the thimble fork (like the Sports) and 40/32 wheels - I have one with these features though I converted it to a S5 five speed internal hub.

 

[PatrickZ]

I'm not sure if this link will work, but there is a nice story about a family touring on Sprite 27s in the July 1972 edition of Popular Mechanics: https://books.google.com/books?id=O...BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=raleigh sprite 27&f=false

 

[PatrickZ]

May 1971 Sprite 27 ad: https://books.google.com/books?id=L...BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=raleigh sprite 27&f=false

 

[HARPO]

May 1971 Sprite 27 ad: https://books.google.com/books?id=LUAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA80&dq=raleigh+sprite+27&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj3nKLMh7T0AhUIHc0KHUX1CYsQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=raleigh sprite 27&f=false

Same chain guard and seat rube decals. Thank you!

 

[PatrickZ]

Same chain guard and seat rube decals. Thank you!

Harpo, send me a PM when you get a chance about this bike; I don’t seem to have that ability. Thanks, Patrick

 

[HARPO]

@PatrickZ I just PM'd you...

 

[HARPO]

Well, all done...with the exception of new tires. And to be honest, these are the wheels (and original tires on them) from the ladies 1975 Sprite I bought a little while ago. They were in much better shape than the ones on this bike so I just had to do it. This bike was in such nice condition it would have been a shame not to. Oh, and I also took the Pletscher rack from it to complete the package.

Enjoy the photos!