Mickhigham
Member
- Location
- Caithness, Highlands, Scotland
Brilliant, there is a wealth of information out there isn't there. I guess I'd better actually get on and actually get the bike rideable now.
Hi folks, first post as I happened by a rough old Raleigh today which I decided to adopt.
I'm trying to firm up a model and manufacturing date before deciding to either just give it tyres and tubes along with basic fettling and a wipe with an oily rag, or to take it further, but just a couple of things are throwing me.
All thoughts appreciated, I'm more used to playing with things with engines and actually trying to ride it will either finish me off or be the start of new found health
Careful cleaning revealed the remnants of a Raleigh decal on the headstock, and I found a number on the frame just below the seat. 27965P which from looking on the web dates it to around 1947? More searching has me thinking it is a "Dawn model 11"
Thoughts and clarification would be good if anyone knows for sure, there is also another number on the frame underside below the peddles that is 40832 with a Z above it.
What is puzzling me is the lack of bright work, what little there is has been painted black at one point though some of that has flaked away, handlebars and wheel rims show no signs of ever having had chrome but I suppose age could have done away with it, even the three speed Sturmey Archer AM hub was black before I cleaned the paint away to try to get a date, there isn't one, just "patent applied for" where the date would normally be. I'm also under the impression the quadrant gear selector should have been a trigger on the handlebar type under the "optional extra" geared hub.
So, do we think I'm right with model and age, or is there something more to all the black paint such as wartime issue, I wouldn't think so but wouldn't want to go removing the black if it should be there...
Photos below for you to laugh at and see how mad I must be, but I felt sorry for it and love old "machinery"
It looks older than 1947 judging by the gear shift lever. It may have been painted black during war-time. The rear SA hub should have a date on it which will be stamped on centre of hub in month/year format eg 02/47 which would be feb 1947.
Thanks, thats what I was thinking with the gear shift, I cleaned the hub up of the black paint a little, the markings look normal but where you would expect a date it just says "patent applied for"
I'm looking in the center on the main body of the hub across the width of the wheel, is there anywhere else I can look?
By coincidence, I see your in Chorley, if thats Chorley in Lancs I hail from there about seven years ago before moving to the wilds of Scotland, which reminds me I shall have to sort my profile tomorrow