Dating a Raleigh? Can someone help me with this one?

[broadarrowmaint]

Hey all!

Got this great Raleigh 3 speed from a shop in Philadelphia, and its a phenomenal rider. Not entirely sure what model it is, but the 3 speed sturmey archer dynohub has 62 stamped on it so I assumed that was the date, but the serial number is throwing me off on the seat post stem. Has a two letter prefix of D V and then the 5 digit number following. Everything ive read on line suggests that its maybe alot later than 62. Could be very wrong, but maybe some experts could chime in.

 

[GTs58]

Not later than 1962, much earlier than 1962. @SirMike1983 may give you some info when he comes around. My guess is mid 50's but I'm definitely not versed on these.

Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts

www.kurtkaminer.com

 

[SirMike1983]

1962 is correct for that bike. I owned a 22 inch frame version of the same bike from the same era (though someone put a chain guard on it rather than the full case). With the locking fork, dynohub lamp set, and battery pack, it's a "Superbe" Tourist rod brake roadster. These rod brake roadsters in particular resisted change and so look much older than they actually are. I honestly don't see much that has been changed on that bike. They have a totally unique ride to them, different from just about everything else.

Here's the 22 inch version of the same bike I had (sold it earlier this year). Mine had a chain guard in place of the chain case, which was commonly done because the chain case can be a pain to work with. Mine was also a 1962 bike.

 

[broadarrowmaint]

Thank you for the replies! I guess what is throwing me off is the ‘DV’ prefix in the serial number. Cant really find anything in the online serial charts that matches.

 

[SirMike1983]

See my response to your PM - serial numbers prior to 1974 are before the standardized Raleigh system. They may give you a very rough estimate, but the hubs, graphics, and equipment actually are better indicators on these bikes.

 

[GTs58]

That's weird they imported two styles of the 62 Superbe.

 

[SirMike1983]

Really, "Superbe" is not actually a model in and of itself. It denoted a deluxe version of whatever the actual model was. The "Superbe Sports Tourist" for example, "Superbe Dawn Tourist", etc. In the US, "Superbe" became the short-hand for the Superbe Sports Tourist model because the predominant model here was the Sports. We had very few "Superbe" anything else, so "Superbe" became synonymous with what really was the Superbe Sports Tourist.

 

[Jesper]

I like seeing that you got it out on the trails. That is where I enjoy riding my Sports and Robin Hood. Much preferrable than an mtb or gravel given the fun factor.

 

[humberchristopher28]

Hey all!

Got this great Raleigh 3 speed from a shop in Philadelphia, and its a phenomenal rider. Not entirely sure what model it is, but the 3 speed sturmey archer dynohub has 62 stamped on it so I assumed that was the date, but the serial number is throwing me off on the seat post stem. Has a two letter prefix of D V and then the 5 digit number following. Everything ive read on line suggests that its maybe alot later than 62. Could be very wrong, but maybe some experts could chime in.

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All replacement parts are available for this type of bike. Everything .From variours places. Let me reccomend. Andy Muzzi at Yellow Jersey bike shop. 608 257 4737 They have 28 x 1 1/2 Westwood rims 28 inch Enclosed Chaincase cables for 3 speed hubs tires and everything. YOUR FRIEND CHRISTOPHER ROBIN.

 

[Rusty McNickel]

Thank you for the replies! I guess what is throwing me off is the ‘DV’ prefix in the serial number. Cant really find anything in the online serial charts that matches.

When Ti merged with Raleigh in 1960, Raleigh revamped their frame number conventions (only four years after the 1956 major overhaul) yet again.
I have a 1961 Superbe Roadster Gents 3 with a DU serial. That's an export pattern from the early 60s so your hub is almost certainly original.
You can't find any reference online because the export serials are unrecorded in the archives. They began circa 1938 with AA1 and tick over to AB, AC and so on with every 99999 to 1 changeover.
By the time DA is reached, the hub dates get a bit haywire but all other indications place this Raleigh at 1962 rather well.