My little white dove - possible coventry eagle

[Tony Raynor]

I picked this up yesterday. Was advertised as a raleigh but it's certainly isn't. It had a coventry eagle sticker on the front which I removed but I'm not sure really what make it is.

Managed to strip and regrease the bottom bracket and headset, cleaned and a quick polish. Some of the chrome work is pitted but it's not too bad.

Changed the saddle from a black one to this white one to try and keep that "Daz" look.

Not sure of the pipeage as the seatpost stem is 26.6 which means it's not gaspipe but probably not 531. That said it currently weighs between 11 and 12kgs so it's not to shabby.

Need to give it a spin to see how it goes then it's off to fleabay as Mrs T wasn't too impressed with another bike.

 

[AndyRM]

One of his balls has fallen off, poor chap!

 

[Tony Raynor]

It is pretty cold up here today. Hope you didn't cycle to work today.

 

[Rooster1]

Very nice indeed.

 

[raleighnut]

Very nice, I've used a couple of those Stronglight cranks on my rebuilds, they have just the period look.
Does look very Raleigh though.

 

[Tony Raynor]

@raleighnut when I first saw it I thought it was an early 80s rapide or corsa with that oyster pearlescent finish. Checked the serial number and it's definitely not a raleigh format.

Having said that I couldn't leave it so had to buy it

 

[mjr]

Can we see close-ups of the lug clusters, please? The things that stop me suggesting it's a Universal (who prominently said they were based in Rayleigh and are often misadvertised as Raleigh by confused sellers) are the fair-looking brakes and the cable stops on the top of the top tube (Universal more often seem to put them underneath). Is there anything distinctive or could it be another make using the same fairly plain lugs? What diameter is the seat post? EDIT: sorry, I see it's 26.6.

Does the frame number begin with a 2-digit year?

 

[midlife]

Nice . What was the serial number?

Shaun

 

[Tony Raynor]

The serial number is underneath the cable guide on the BB. Will try and loosen the cables to have a look later.

It has proper dropouts, not stamped ones and even the luxury of a chain hanger off the rear stay. Dropouts are not marked with a name.

I did see a Coventry eagle with reynolds 453 tubing that looked very similar but who knows what 453 tubing is supposed to be.

 

[raleighnut]

@raleighnut when I first saw it I thought it was an early 80s rapide or corsa with that oyster pearlescent finish. Checked the serial number and it's definitely not a raleigh format.

Having said that I couldn't leave it so had to buy it

I'd have bought it if I was in the market for another old un but I think 4 Raleighs, my Carlton, Ridgeback and the unknown maker 653 are plenty to be going on with for now (with the double disc Saracen the trike and dual suspension BSO as well )

 

[Fab Foodie]

Whatever it is it's very pretty. Slack looking seat-tube too.

 

[Tony Raynor]

Have to say it looks similar to this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-E...Frame-Cycle-Road-Racing-Vintage-/171701177048

 

[raleighnut]

Have to say it looks similar to this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-E...Frame-Cycle-Road-Racing-Vintage-/171701177048

Good price and that Brooks only needs wetting and a band/luggage strap to reshape it.

 

[Tony Raynor]

Took for a spin this morning to the newsagents to pick up supplies. It rides nice but oh those brakes have to go. Might need to strip them down but I might just get it drilled and put modern dual pivots on. Also need to tinker with the rear derallieur. It's index shifting but it's not quite as smooth as I would like but that could be me being picky.

Good news is that I've weighed it properly by setting up a new pet called bike on the Wii fit. It's lighter than I thought coming in at 10.5kgs. Always thought those cruddy luggage scales were off.

That now poses a question on what the pipeage actually is.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd be a bit wary of drilling the rear brake out but there is an easier solution, just use a front brake on the rear and the longer bolt will accept a normal Nylock nut or 2 nuts locked together (the only difference between a front and rear caliper is bolt length)