1931 Raleigh X Frame

[bagpuss]

Picture of my mates 1931 classic.Rolls well.Looks stunning!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74418119@N00/2536321373/in/set-72157604675787816/

Trying to talk myself out of buying it.Please help.

 

[rich p]

It looks lovely, but to be honest, you'd look a bit of a charlie riding it around!

BTW, what's a 22 c lining?

 

[bagpuss]

Looking a right Charlie is something I excel in.
Restoring a Saxon Twin tube tandem at the moment.Mrs Bagpuss is going to make period costume for us both.
22 c = 22 carot Gold liningA real statment of 1930's design from Raleigh:?:

 

[Baggy]

It's lovely, if I were you, I'd buy it

 

[Joe24]

Buy it, take it to Holland and cruise around on it, just dont leave it un attended.

 

[bonj2]

another example of a bike with the wrong number/orientation of tubes! Saddle looks like it's only held on by the very back aswell!

 

[Disgruntled Goat]

How much does he want for it? I'll av it!

 

[bagpuss]

another example of a bike with the wrong number/orientation of tubes! Saddle looks like it's only held on by the very back aswell!

I know ,but this makes for interest.It is why I like machines of the time between 1930 and 1955 .The designers pushed the rules to get their bikes noticed. This makes them a design classic.My mate who owns this X frame says its a pig to ride.It has even got a steering damper to help make it ridealble.He is also sorting the saddle out.When he rides it his kness hit his elbows
Other design classics that come to mind ; Saxon twin tube,Sun Manx tt,Paris Galibier,Hetchins,+ about at least 4 others.
Later and more recent .Kirk, various designs from Mike Burrows .
I am no expert on of any of this,I just enjoy the social history of the bicycle.

 

[TheDoctor]

Oh, Bonj, Bonj, Bonj...

Bike design was in it's infancy then. You can't say that that bike is 'wrong' because back then, no-one quite knew what was 'right'. It's an evolving art, and we ain't finished yet.
I think it's luvverly. I'd buy it.
*looks at flat with 3.5 bikes in. Remembers 3 bikes outside. Remembers bike stored elsewhere*
Well, I would, but I shouldn't.

 

[wafflycat]

Oh that is a lovely machine! Buy it! It deserves to be loved & cherished!