My 50's Raleigh Roadster

[biggs682]

This is the second Raleigh to arrive this week, I have wanted a 50's or 60's roadster for a while but wanted one that was fairly practical and useable.

Not done anything other than unpack yet .

But it has a 4 speed hub and a 2 speed block so eight gears , original steel rims have been replaced by alloy ones .

 

[stevevw]

I like that.

 

[raleighnut]

nice.

 

[biggs682]

just had 5 mins looking at tyre sizes which are 26 x 1 1/4 or 32 x 597 so off shopping in a mo for a pr of tyres

frame number stamped on top of seat tube is 16951 T

 

[biggs682]

Just had first ride around the cul de sac on this, and it felt good not sure if all of the 8 gears worked.

The brakes surprised me for sure , tempted to try a set of later flat bars and a longer stem but will see, but turning the saddle around on the post might help re positioning .

Just need to work out why the rear mechanism is not pulling the chain tighter .

 

[Daddybus]

Are those lenton lugs?

 

[raleighnut]

Just had first ride around the cul de sac on this, and it felt good not sure if all of the 8 gears worked.

The brakes surprised me for sure , tempted to try a set of later flat bars and a longer stem but will see, but turning the saddle around on the post might help re positioning .

Just need to work out why the rear mechanism is not pulling the chain tighter .



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I'd check the hub, if the cones are too tight it affects the freewheel (they like to be quite loose) and get some oil in the hub, the tension could be a weak spring I think it may have 2 alternate positions for it.

 

[biggs682]

Are those lenton lugs?

i am not sure what model it is at all , the owner of my lbs has a similar spec and age one so i need to go and pay him a visit

I'd check the hub, if the cones are too tight it affects the freewheel (they like to be quite loose) and get some oil in the hub, the tension could be a weak spring I think it may have 2 alternate positions for it.

i need to spend some time looking at it but time is not on my side at mo poor excuse i know

 

[shadaboot27]

Are those lenton lugs?

I think they are yea.

 

[biggs682]

I think they are yea.

@shadaboot27 must admit just looking at the pictures you put up of a green one they do look the same , and yours looked to have a similar frame number ie 5 digits and a T

 

[shadaboot27]

@shadaboot27 must admit just looking at the pictures you put up of a green one they do look the same , and yours looked to have a similar frame number ie 5 digits and a T

I would say it's 100% a Lenton. Probably about mid 50's. The only other Raleigh s that has similar lugs was the Clubman, but the Clubmans had braised on mudguard mounts mid way up the forks and dropouts, but yours does not have this so it's got to be a Lenton.

 

[Daddybus]

531 lightweight frame with 8 gears then, very nice... Are you fitting drops on it?

 

[biggs682]

531 lightweight frame with 8 gears then, very nice... Are you fitting drops on it?

not really sure yet certainly need to put a longer stem on , tempted to swap to a newer 1980's set of flat bars

will keep you posted

 

[raleighnut]

Some handlebars like these maybe,

 

[biggs682]

When i get home got to get cracking on this and the 531 Peugeot projects before the next one arrives