Abandoned Raleigh town bike, Abingdon Rd Oxford

[wafter]

Spotted this down the bottom opposite the Travelodge.

It's black so not a posh model, but does have a full chaincase, rim brakes and nice mudguards with the peak bit on the front. Seatpost and saddle are absent. I reckon maybe '40s - '60s..?

It's tatty and rusty; perhaps not beyond redemption if you're really determined but I did wonder about use for spares since the chain case looked in reasonable nick and I know often their "pie plate" gets lost.

I'd consider rescuing it myself but I can't be arsed with the walk tbh and realistically already have too many bikes.

Apologes for the crap pics - was shooting into the sun..

Coincidentally there are also some cheapo single-walled ally rims abandoned up the tow path, which would probably make a decent replacement for the chromed steel on this one..

 

[Chris S]

Put it on ebay as a barn find

 

[biggs682]

Come on @wafter you have a duty to rescue it

 

[Gunk]

It was on its way to the tip, which is just around the corner!

 

[Chris S]

Somebody has had the saddle off it (probably a Brooks) and the pedals have been replaced with modern ones. Apart from that it looks fairly original.

 

[FrankCrank]

Reckon it could be turned round with a little TLC, would make an ideal pub bike - cheers

 

[Paulus]

It would need rescuing quick before the Eastern European scrap fairies beat you to it.🧚‍♀️🧚‍♂️

 

[Drago]

Spotted this down the bottom opposite the Travelodge.

It's black so not a posh model, but does have a full chaincase, rim brakes and nice mudguards with the peak bit on the front. Seatpost and saddle are absent. I reckon maybe '40s - '60s..?

It's tatty and rusty; perhaps not beyond redemption if you're really determined but I did wonder about use for spares since the chain case looked in reasonable nick and I know often their "pie plate" gets lost.

I'd consider rescuing it myself but I can't be arsed with the walk tbh and realistically already have too many bikes.

Apologes for the crap pics - was shooting into the sun..

View attachment 777551

View attachment 777552

Coincidentally there are also some cheapo single-walled ally rims abandoned up the tow path, which would probably make a decent replacement for the chromed steel on this one..

That's not a bicycle. Its the Iranian Republican Guard's last remaining mobile launcher.

 

[wafter]

Thanks folks

The thought of recovering it has weighed on my mind, however I'm resolute as I already have more than I can cope with and it looks like it would need a lot of work; as appealing as it would be both to rescue and subsequently use.

I did have another look today; rims are unsurprisingly 26", hub is a 3sp SA dyno job. I did try to find a date but couldn't.

Were it closer I'd stick in the garden and try to find it a home, but its location's a bit of a pain

 

[wafter]

For those of us with a sensitive disposition this has now been snaffled by a fellow enthusiast, so hopefully will be kept away from the scrappies

 

[biggs682]

For those of us with a sensitive disposition this has now been snaffled by a fellow enthusiast, so hopefully will be kept away from the scrappies

Oh that's good

 

[Chris S]

It was posted on the Facebook Raleigh Roadster Club group so it wouldn't have been around for long.

 

[kyle_h]

Has the newer lugs with pointy cutouts, but the chain case still has the oil port. Early/mid 60s sports tourist. Not a bad bike at all, one down from being a superbe, which at that point just got you green paint, better mudguard stays, fourth gear and a mudflap.

That one will come up very nicely with hardly more than some cleaning. The mountain bike handlebars are horrible though.

 

[wafter]

Has the newer lugs with pointy cutouts, but the chain case still has the oil port. Early/mid 60s sports tourist. Not a bad bike at all, one down from being a superbe, which at that point just got you green paint, better mudguard stays, fourth gear and a mudflap.

That one will come up very nicely with hardly more than some cleaning. The mountain bike handlebars are horrible though.

Thanks for your insight; I agree about the bars!

Hard to tell from the pic but it was pretty grotty with significant surface rust over probably 50%+ of the frame, although I didn't spot anything that looked like it would immediately write it off. Hopefully will do it's new owner as a nice wafty pub bike