Posted by Les Faber in My Step-Mom (Helene) showed up over the weekend for a visit. Low & behold, what is that I see leaning up against the house? OMG, it’s a folding bicycle! Not just any folding bicycle. It’s a Raleigh Folder. I had totally forgotten that my Dad & Helene had bought this bicycle back in the 1970s. And guess what? It had not been ridden for at least 25 years!
I could hardly contain myself. I love bicycles – any and all bicycles. And this gets dropped in my lap. I must be a good person.
The bike is in pristine condition. Yes, the tires are dried out. But they can be replaced. Everything is original. Right down to the cheesy vinyl saddlebag. It has a 3 speed internal hub with a nifty Sturmy Archer shifter on the handlebars. I had a bike with the same shifter when I was a young lad (Does this age me?). Pedal backwards while you shift up or down.
My plan is to take the entire thing apart and rebuild it (replacing worn parts along the way). What an awesome project!
Here are some pics
Marc (Amsterdamize), eat your heart out!
This bike is great!
I love the color!
It is awesome. I couldn’t believe it — but I was actually able to pump up the tires to 45 pounds pressure. I ended up taking it apart on Saturday afternoon and cleaned it top to bottom. There are some minor cosmetic items. But overall it’s great. The Sturmey Archer gears work perfectly. I am one happy camper!
I have aready taken it on a short ride in the neighborhood. A bit slower than my Specialized Tarmac though –
Great gift! Man, forget your own age reference, I can so see you happy as a kid in a candy store (or whatever thrills them these days).
I am quite happy Marc. Every bike has its purpose. This one is a true GEM
Hey Les – nice bike! Especially nice photos capturing its beauty.
You must give us a play-by-play on the rejuvination.
Update is already in the works!
These really are great bikes. They go much better than people tend to expect, too. Not slow at all, especially with decent tyres.
A friend of mine used to ride one of these all the time, rode 200 km audaxes on it (much to the surprise of other participants) and can be seen here doing a stoppie part way along a 160 km ride.
In the UK they had 451 size rims, for which the Primo Comet is probably the best tyre. Yours looks to have 406 size rims as shipped to the US, but this means you’ve a wide choice of good tyres. I use the Vredestein tyres in this size, and if I had one I’d probably fit the “Perfect Moire”, that being the updated version of the tyres I have on my recumbent.
Thanks David. Your depth of cycling knowledge never ceases to amaze me.
The current tires are not too bad – despite their age. The rear one is worn a fair bit. I’ll spend the summer with what I have and try and source some proper replacements over the winter.
I hope all is well on your end!
Marc…do you want to sell your cheesy green saddlebag?