usarnie1
Finally riding a big boys bike
Well, I bought another one! This one was located in New Hampshire, sold to me on E-bay, shipped out to me in California on Bike Flights and arrived without any damage! Although I already have a 1952 Raleigh Sports, I just could not pass up this 1957 Raleigh Sports. The bike has the rare Sturmey Archer SW 3 speed hub that shifts both quietly and flawlessly. Additionally, it has the Raleigh pressed steel chrome hand brake controls and all the original decals are in good shape and easy to see. The frame size is 21" and I told the seller to keep both the handlebars and stem, as they were welded together and I have better ones to install. The bike cleaned up very nicely and as usual I did the many repairs to bring it back to the condition as shown in the 2 photos below.
Work that I compleated: cleaned both the paint and the chrome and then waxed the bike. Re-attached the rear fender stay using the existing screw-in reflector. Strengthen out both fender stays. Installed replacement handlebar and stem. Re-greased the bearings on the front fork. Filled out over welded area within the inside of the frames verticle seat tube. Degreased the chain and applied fresh chain oil. Replaced both tires, tubes and rim liners. Cut new slots within the handbrake control screws and re-attached the controls back onto the handle bars. Cleaned the 3 speed shifter and re-attached it to the handlebars. Cleaned the 3 speed pulley wheel. Straightened out the right side crank arm. Installed vintage Raleigh pedals. Installed new Raleigh hand grips. Installed new brake pads to both front and rear brakes. Installed new Brooks B66 leather saddle. Removed dent from front fender. Installed 16 new axel bearings within the Dynohub and applied fresh new marine grease to them. Installed a new 3 speed anchor and new shifter cable. Installed 3 new stainless steel cable clamps. Installed new front and rear brake cables. Replaced the missing slider onto the front sprocket's pie plate.
I was able to acquire yet another 1950s Midland Sports rear book rack on E-bay and will be re-spraying it black and then attaching it onto the bike. Additionally, I was able to purchase on E-bay an original period correct Sturmey Archer headlight and tail light and will be attaching it onto the bike, as I tested the voltage output of the Dynohub and it produces enough AC voltage to power both of the lights.
I would like to say that the bike is free from rust. However, there are rust sections present on the outer sides of both rims, where the brake shoes make contact, as the chrome has thined out in this area. All in all the bike handles very nice, is a pleasure to ride and i think it looks very nice!
Work that I still need to do: re-build the bottom bracket and replace both cottered pins with new ones.
View attachment 800134
Work that I compleated: cleaned both the paint and the chrome and then waxed the bike. Re-attached the rear fender stay using the existing screw-in reflector. Strengthen out both fender stays. Installed replacement handlebar and stem. Re-greased the bearings on the front fork. Filled out over welded area within the inside of the frames verticle seat tube. Degreased the chain and applied fresh chain oil. Replaced both tires, tubes and rim liners. Cut new slots within the handbrake control screws and re-attached the controls back onto the handle bars. Cleaned the 3 speed shifter and re-attached it to the handlebars. Cleaned the 3 speed pulley wheel. Straightened out the right side crank arm. Installed vintage Raleigh pedals. Installed new Raleigh hand grips. Installed new brake pads to both front and rear brakes. Installed new Brooks B66 leather saddle. Removed dent from front fender. Installed 16 new axel bearings within the Dynohub and applied fresh new marine grease to them. Installed a new 3 speed anchor and new shifter cable. Installed 3 new stainless steel cable clamps. Installed new front and rear brake cables. Replaced the missing slider onto the front sprocket's pie plate.
I was able to acquire yet another 1950s Midland Sports rear book rack on E-bay and will be re-spraying it black and then attaching it onto the bike. Additionally, I was able to purchase on E-bay an original period correct Sturmey Archer headlight and tail light and will be attaching it onto the bike, as I tested the voltage output of the Dynohub and it produces enough AC voltage to power both of the lights.
I would like to say that the bike is free from rust. However, there are rust sections present on the outer sides of both rims, where the brake shoes make contact, as the chrome has thined out in this area. All in all the bike handles very nice, is a pleasure to ride and i think it looks very nice!
Work that I still need to do: re-build the bottom bracket and replace both cottered pins with new ones.
View attachment 800134
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