My dads old bike

[Gixxerman]

Had to clear my dads old house after he went into a care home.
I knew he had his old Raleigh in the shed that he used to bike to work on in his 50's (he's 97 now BTW).
I think it is a Raleigh roadster.
It was originally a Sturmey-Archer 4-speed, but he had issues with the gears and couldn't get parts, so he had the rear wheel rebuilt with a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub instead.
It did spent a bit of time outside after he finished with it, so it has got a bit rusty.
I made the promise to him to do it up, but I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
I am an engineer and do all my own bike repairs and have all the necessary tools, and I have the time, but I fear that maybe it has gone too far to get back.
My original plans were to return it to as near original as possible.
That would include returning it to the original 4-speed, but that might be very much a bridge too far. I beleive Rolof do equivalents these days?
Are parts still made for this bike? It needs new mudguards and a chaincase at the very least.
Some parts will need some rechroming as well. Are there places that still do this in today's throwaway society?

 

[Roseland triker]

That's awesome.
I'm sure you can get it sorted out.

Tyres might be awkward to find but I'm sure they are out there rembering rightly

 

[Cycleops]

Lovely bike but it's going to take a lot of time and money if you want to restore it. Cycle parts should be available used. Looks like it's all there and in reasonable condition. It's not too far gone.
You could always do a 'oily rag' restoration just depends on what you want to achieve.
This video from Monkeyshred might give a few pointers:

View: https://youtu.be/5jjCmGtwqhg


View: https://youtu.be/6E-9gzOh8uc

 

[Roseland triker]

https://www.jmhcycles.co.uk/Bike-pa...age-antique-raleigh-roadster-triumph-imperial

Good available sizes here for rubber

 

[raleighnut]

Should be easy to rebuild if a bit time consuming, those old Raleighs are bombproof

 

[Blue Hills]

I think it would be great gixxer to get this thing going again in prime condition - look forward to updates - though would avoid anything too complicated like Rohloff - would in fact be inclined to stick to 3 speed. I'm pretty sure lots of 3 speed bits would be easily sourced,.
Amazing looking bike in some ways - puts me in mind of the sort of thing folks might pedal around wartime France looking very inconsequential/casual/inoffensive whilst undermining Nazi tech.
Dare I ask what your attitude was at the time to your dad cycling to work on the bike?
Keep on riding/it.
And do show your dad a pic of you riding it.

 

[roadrash]

built like tnks they are , shouldnt be too difficult, it all depends how far you want to go with the restoration, good luck with it and dont forget .....we like photos

 

[Chris S]

There's no problem getting Sturmey Archer parts off ebay. The headset and bottom bracket cups will have Raleigh's proprietary threads but even these are still available on ebay as well.

The mudguards and crankcase don't look to bad. These are difficult to obtain so I'd keep them unless they've rotted through.

 

[Paulus]

Had to clear my dads old house after he went into a care home.
I knew he had his old Raleigh in the shed that he used to bike to work on in his 50's (he's 97 now BTW).
I think it is a Raleigh roadster.
It was originally a Sturmey-Archer 4-speed, but he had issues with the gears and couldn't get parts, so he had the rear wheel rebuilt with a Sturmey-Archer 3-speed hub instead.
It did spent a bit of time outside after he finished with it, so it has got a bit rusty.
I made the promise to him to do it up, but I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
I am an engineer and do all my own bike repairs and have all the necessary tools, and I have the time, but I fear that maybe it has gone too far to get back.
My original plans were to return it to as near original as possible.
That would include returning it to the original 4-speed, but that might be very much a bridge too far. I beleive Rolof do equivalents these days?
Are parts still made for this bike? It needs new mudguards and a chaincase at the very least.
Some parts will need some rechroming as well. Are there places that still do this in today's throwaway society?

Looks like a good old bike.
At first glance it doesn't look in too bad a condition.
Once you start stripping it down you may find it better than you think.
The mudguards and chainguard, unless the photo doesn't any rot look ok.
As said before, we really like photos as you progress.
Good luck.

 

[raleighnut]

These are difficult to obtain so I'd keep them unless they've rotted through.

Mine are still in the shed, admittedly not a full chaincase like the OP's more a 'P' shaped one but the mudguards are very similar

Original



My 'modified' one

 

[BoldonLad]

If you tire of the project, perhaps, "The Repair Shop" would oblige?

Seriously, best of luck with the project, hope you can get it all finished for your Dad (and, yourself).

 

[Gixxerman]

If you tire of the project, perhaps, "The Repair Shop" would oblige?

Seriously, best of luck with the project, hope you can get it all finished for your Dad (and, yourself).

That is a superb idea. That programme is one of my dads favourites. I have applied.
He would love to see it being repaired and picked up by my sister and myself.

 

[Chris S]

If you tire of the project, perhaps, "The Repair Shop" would oblige?

Seriously, best of luck with the project, hope you can get it all finished for your Dad (and, yourself).

I think the chances of the OP getting his bike on 'The Repair Shop' would literally be thousands to one. They've already repaired a bike with a Sturmey Archer hub which would reduce them even further.

 

[BoldonLad]

That is a superb idea. That programme is one of my dads favourites. I have applied.
He would love to see it being repaired and picked up by my sister and myself.

Good luck, I will watch out for you.

 

[BoldonLad]

I think the chances of the OP getting his bike on 'The Repair Shop' would literally be thousands to one. They've already repaired a bike with a Sturmey Archer hub which would reduce them even further.

Well it was a light hearted suggestion. They “repair” a teddy bear every other week, so, don’t see why they shouldn’t do another bike. Plus, if you don’t apply, you won’t get selected, nothing ventured, nothing gained.