Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Bluesbreaker]

Lately I've started to like old racing bicycles, and I've added them to my list of hobbies.. So, I'd like to gather some info on Raleigh Bicycles. Doesn't seem to be all that common, do they?

My younger brother has a Red 1969 Raleigh Royale that he "inherited" from our dad. Together we polished it and made it work properly since it sat in a barn for about 30 years. My dad bought it new in 1969, at 12 years of age. It's completely original, except for the pedals that broke in the early 80's. Does anyone of you guys remember or know what the original pedals looks like?

I have only got one old racing bike (yet), and it's also a Raleigh Royale, except it's a 1975 model. Mine is a greenish, sort of dark turqoise colour. Also all original, except for the pedals.

Our bikes looks almost the same, except for a few details. My brother's bike has got the bottle holder and the original bottle left. Mine doesn't have a bottle holder.

My brother's bike has got the Simplex gears, and mine has got a Huret Allvit system. I think the Simplex is much better than the Huret. The Huret needs so much fiddling before it works, and even then it doesn't work properly.

So, has anyone got any info on these bikes, or any raleigh racing bicycles at all?
I've browsed on the internet, and found a little, but not nearly as much as I was hoping for.


Cheers!

Niko
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I just love old cars!

Saab 96 V4 1973
Saab 96 V4 1974
Saab 96L V4 Super 1977

[Jim.Walker]

I wonder if you might get some info on the internet by searching for Reg Harris, Their World Champion racing cyclist?
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Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[Geoffp]

I worked for Raleigh in the early 1970s and by then the racing bikes were sold under the Carlton brand. They were handmade in a separate factory in Worksop and tended to have lighter components and different frames from the Raleigh equivalents. The Raleigh models would normally have had fairly standard steel (without rubbers) pedals so you shouldn't find it too hard to source a pair.

If you want to find out more about your bikes, this might be a good place to start:
http://www.raleighbikes.com//

Geoff