Well I've been watching for classic Raleigh Bicycles & one popped up on Craigslist accross the border from me in Canada.
It was a bucket list bike, a black one from 1954 & had an enclosed chain case, rear Sturmey Archer hub also had a built in dynamo to run the lights as well as a battery pack to take over when the wheel is at rest. I inquired but he said it had "just been sold" despite being on craigslist for 18 days or so, Darn!
Found another one here in Lynden Wa that I now Proudly own!
(So Lynden WA Is a Dutch founded town & has alot of influence up here with at least 2 Windmills to speak of)...
This Bike is from 1973, its a black Raleigh Tourist DL-1, Dutch built? Has a nice white tipped rear fender & originally had rod brakes. It has been converted to caliper brakes but still have the rod brake style rims, not ideal as the brake pads have less contacting surface area & wear quickly.
When I took it out for a ride, soon after the weatherd Brooks saddles nose tore off & the tensioning hardware fell to the street below. Iv'e been slowly cleaning polishing & servicing the bike, tensioning & trueing the wheels cleaned & re greased all the bearings & re oiled the Sturmy Archer AW 3 speed hub. I found Velocipedium & his channel on YouTube. He recomends slight rear hub bearing play so the pedals won't pinwheel when walking the bike & reduces friction & rides really nice now.
I had to use my black brooks B66 Saddle off "Rusty" my 63 Schwinn Typhoon & also borrow a rear axle nut from my red Schwinn Speedster 3 speed sturmey archer hub & still waiting for a spare to come in the mail. I found another brooks b66 saddle at The Hub, a bike shop in Bellingham that matches rusty much better.
I would like to change the tires to creme colored Schwalbe Delta Cruisers & mabie find an enclosed chain case & all the rod brake parts it needs if its out there. eBay has a few parts but im not sure if they will fit or not. It has 28 1 1/2" tires, the front one is a Raleigh Roadster & the rear one is a Michelin Zig Zag tire. They are a bit worn with some sidewall cracks, it will be really nice to get it to roll better...
I orderd the Schwalbie Delta Cruiser tires I wanted from luxlo bikes on eBay but he found he was out of stock of the ones without the reflectors & refunded me, they were the 635 rim size. I Googled what would fit & found he had a 700x35 size & ordered those just now but Im not 100% sure so I messaged him but havent heard back yet. Iv'e also found another seller that has a set of 635's, I guess Schwalbe has discontinued their classic tire sizes...
I also had to get new crank cotter pins or wedge bolts, the left crank loosened up on me & I tried re fileing the wedge & adding a shim but that didn't work & finley found Jacks Bicycle Center was the only shop that had any in stock & also sold me bearing cassets for the crank axle instead of loose ball bearings & also a Park Tool chain cleaner machine, bikesmithdesign.com has some really nice cotter press tools I was also thinking about ordering. I havent had any problems since installing the new cotter pins tho.
I'm a bit new to some things & still learning. If you have any advice to give or a spare enclosed chain case or rod brake parts that fit a 1973 Raleigh Tourist?
...I would be really grateful!
Thanks -Eric
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Did you Know Sean Connery rode a Raleigh bicycle in the movie Finding Forrester?
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