Need help to IDENTIFY old Raleigh bicycle

[SirMike1983]

A number of countries in the Mediterranean received export models - Malta, Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, etc. all turn up some unusual Raleighs. If we can't go by a rear hub stamp, then a late 1970s or early 80s export model would be the best bet. Export models often turn up with anachronistic features - pedals without reflectors, old-style fender stays, old style narrow rod brake bars, grips from earlier periods, etc. I was also interested in the wheel size because both 28 and 26 inch wheels are possibilities with export models, even with that frame style. 28 inch wheels would be a full-size roadster while you can have bikes with 26 x 1 1/2 inch wheels but roadster frames as the mid-size roadster. People are amazed sometimes when an export model from, say 1980, turns up, but it's loaded with parts and features that would seem straight off a 1950s or 60s Raleigh. The export models are a different variation for sure.

 

[PatrickZ]

A number of countries in the Mediterranean received export models - Malta, Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, etc. all turn up some unusual Raleighs. If we can't go by a rear hub stamp, then a late 1970s or early 80s export model would be the best bet. Export models often turn up with anachronistic features - pedals without reflectors, old-style fender stays, old style narrow rod brake bars, grips from earlier periods, etc. I was also interested in the wheel size because both 28 and 26 inch wheels are possibilities with export models, even with that frame style. 28 inch wheels would be a full-size roadster while you can have bikes with 26 x 1 1/2 inch wheels but roadster frames as the mid-size roadster. People are amazed sometimes when an export model from, say 1980, turns up, but it's loaded with parts and features that would seem straight off a 1950s or 60s Raleigh. The export models are a different variation for sure.

I was also thinking 26 X 1 1/2 - those tires appear to have more volume than the typical 28 X 1 1/2 tire.

 

[dnc1]

A number of countries in the Mediterranean received export models - Malta, Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, etc. all turn up some unusual Raleighs. If we can't go by a rear hub stamp, then a late 1970s or early 80s export model would be the best bet. Export models often turn up with anachronistic features - pedals without reflectors, old-style fender stays, old style narrow rod brake bars, grips from earlier periods, etc. I was also interested in the wheel size because both 28 and 26 inch wheels are possibilities with export models, even with that frame style. 28 inch wheels would be a full-size roadster while you can have bikes with 26 x 1 1/2 inch wheels but roadster frames as the mid-size roadster. People are amazed sometimes when an export model from, say 1980, turns up, but it's loaded with parts and features that would seem straight off a 1950s or 60s Raleigh. The export models are a different variation for sure.

I agree, my friend Chris rides a 1981 model that is indistinguishable from a 1950s model.

 

[cudak888]

I already posted this on the concurrent thread on BikeForums, but figured I'd copy here:

Decal set firmly sets it in the "1973 or later" camp. Apparently, T-Mar (one of our members there) got to see the serial number in a picture I haven't seen; the serial indicates December 1979.

That said:

The left pedal is an older Raleigh rubber block that appears to be installed as a replacement. The right-side pedal is a period-correct, Raleigh-pattern Union pedal with reflectors. Sseeing that this model wouldn't have had to meet US CPSC regulations, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see reflectorless pedals in this era, but they probably pulled the same pedal out of the parts bin for every market at this point.

The international location, 26" wheels, slack geometry, and bolt-on seatstays means this is probably not in any catalog. This is one of many obscure Raleigh continuation models made available only for markets where rod brakes and slack angles remained popular for many years. Functionally, it's the same as a late-1930's Raleigh Dawn Safety, which - other than being scaled down - has identical geometry to the better-known DL-1. The Dawn Safety was gone off the UK Raleigh offerings by the mid-1940's.

EDIT: Correction to what I said above - this might be a standard DL-1-style frame with factory 26x2.0" ISO 559 tires and Westwood rims on it, not 26x1-3/8" as per the Dawn Safety I was speaking of. @kingsting's all-chrome example kicked my brain into gear that such a thing exists.

There's precious little documentation about these export models - they were never available in or shown as part of any UK/US/Canadian catalogs, and in 15 years, I've yet to see an export catalog with graphics emerge.

FYI, until the late-1950's, Raleigh's overcomplicated naming convention could be decoded as follows:

Dawn = Rod brakes
Sports = Cable brakes (with exception to Raleigh Model 10, Sports Roadster)
Light = No chaincase
Safety = Slack frame geometry
Tourist = Fitted with full chaincase (or Raleigh Model 21 Tourist)
Superbe = Green enamel w/double gold box lining + dynohub standard.

Keep in mind that by the time the 1960's came about, these names were either dropped or became arbitrarily applied to bicycles that did not follow this nomenclature.

-Kurt

 

[kingsting]

26 x 2.0 "Balloon tyres"? I've been trying to identify my big chrome balloon tire bike for years now and haven't been able to. Mine is a little older but looks similar.

 

[cudak888]

26 x 2.0 "Balloon tyres"? I've been trying to identify my big chrome balloon tire bike for years now and haven't been able to. Mine is a little older but looks similar.

Thanks for reminding me that these exist; I forgot that Raleigh did make some of the otherwise standard 28" frames with conventional ISO 559 26" tires and Westwood rims to match. That's likely what the OP has.

I think it's safe enough to call these DL-1 variants. Not likely DL-1 in actuality by whatever Raleigh badged them as out the door, but practically speaking the same frameset.

These were also produced under different Raleigh-owned marquees too. This is a 1979/80 Rudge that I've had for many years, even though Raleigh had dumped the Rudge brand 8 years prior for US/UK/Canadian markets. It's fitted with an AG hub, Sturmey-Archer badged Filter Switch Unit, and a locking Raleigh-pattern fork crown with a solid insert in the right side.

-Kurt

 

[PatrickZ]

I believe Raleigh also offered the 26 x 1 3/4 ISO 571 wheel size on the rear wheel of the low gravity carrier so that’s a possibility as well.

 

[cudak888]

I believe Raleigh also offered the 26 x 1 3/4 ISO 571 wheel size on the rear wheel of the low gravity carrier so that’s a possibility as well.

Pretty sure @kingsting will be able to clarify. The OP's 26" rim diameter measured ~24" according to their reply at BikeForums, so it's probably 559.

-Kurt

 

[PatrickZ]

Pretty sure @kingsting will be able to clarify. The OP's 26" rim diameter measured ~24" according to their reply at BikeForums, so it's probably 559.

-Kurt

Yes of course; I was referring to the OP’s bike.

 

[PatrickZ]

Yes of course; I was referring to the OP’s bike.

Oof. Just read your entire reply! I haven’t been to BF in awhile so I will go check out that thread.