Raleigh Royal

[Bonefish Blues]

Same size as that one too - 23 narf inches.

I should have kept it - it was in similar condition, too, and as finally built was absolutely great. Let me have a bash...

Wheels changed for 27" super champ rims on Maxicar hubs with a Hi-Lo 40 at the rear.
Duopar Titanium at the back with some deep cage Huret at the front
TA Triple with 26/36/46 rings
Brakes were 605 sidepulls

Funny what you remember, isn't it?
Sigh, happy days.

 

[biggs682]

Let me have a bash...


Funny what you remember, isn't it?
Sigh, happy days.

You are welcome to come and try it

 

[Bonefish Blues]

That's very kind thanks

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Love the box lining on these .

You're right, it does look good. Very discreet and old-fashioned, not in-yer-face garish. I do actually prefer the colour on the late 531ST ones though, with the contrasting head tube. The Randonneur was also a very nice looking machine, but they seem ultra-rare. Presumably they were significantly more expensive to buy than the Royal.....

 

[biggs682]

Only second Time that I have seen Reynolds actually stamped in the tubing .

Previous time was on a similar aged Claudia Butler .

 

[12boy]

What a gorgeous machine. Beautiful color, subdued, confident decals. I am impressed and envious.

 

[biggs682]

What a gorgeous machine. Beautiful color, subdued, confident decals. I am impressed and envious.

Thanks @12boy , it's the nicest example i have seen and owned

 

[Boon 51]

Whilst I was looking at the Rider brand ?? the same seller mentioned that he had owned a Raleigh Royal from near enough new .
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So once I had dismissed the Rider I asked to have a look at the Royal .
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Big mistake as I ended up bringing it home .

Can't be a mistake if you bought it, lovely looking bike.

 

[biggs682]

Can't be a mistake if you bought it, lovely looking bike.

I am trying to reduce numbers so I can get into the garage

 

[bigjim]

I have a brand new, never assembled frame from one of these sat in the attic. I bought it on the bay a couple of years ago. One day I might build it up. I had one of the late ones that I used for continental touring until the frame was bent by baggage handlers. I liked it a lot and thought it was a better ride than the Galaxy. They were 531 throughout whereas the earlier ones are Chromo rear ends. I don't like the cantilever brakes on the later ones.

I've also got one of the silver/grey models. The original owner had rode it once for ten miles then stored it. It is as new. I don't use it much though as bothered about damaging it. Thinking about moving it on this year.

 

[biggs682]

I have only seen a couple of the silver and grey ones .

They ride well and happy just to plod along which suits me fine.

Looking forward to getting a few miles on my one .

And the one in your loft was a good find for sure . What size are yours?

 

[bigjim]

I have only seen a couple of the silver and grey ones .

They ride well and happy just to plod along which suits me fine.

Looking forward to getting a few miles on my one .

And the one in your loft was a good find for sure . What size are yours?

Mine were and are 25" apart from the silver/grey which is 23.5". I did buy a 25" silver/grey from ebay complete for £40 but it was well worn with a small dint in the Top Tube. though no rust. I only really wanted it for the forks for the Attic one. I tried spraying the dinted one with aerosols. Not very well, I still have it. One of the reasons I haven't built the Attic one up is I've been quoted £45 just to spray the forks which I thought was over the top.
There is a nice one on the bay for £250 but it's hanging around at that price.
I think it's us that's plodding along. Not the bike.

 

[biggs682]

There is a nice one on the bay for £250 but it's hanging around at that price.
I think it's us that's plodding along. Not the bike.

Yeah i have seen that one on e bay and at £250 for the condition it's a fair price imho all things considered as what do you get new for that ?

You might be right re us being the plodders not the machines

 

[bigjim]

Yeah i have seen that one on e bay and at £250 for the condition it's a fair price imho all things considered as what do you get new for that ?

My problem with classic bikes is, if I wish to use them for club rides and touring I tend to change them to suit with stuff that was not available in the day. Wider bars, lower rear cassette and triple front. Plus better brakes and maybe 700c wheels. So much of what I've bought on a complete bike is discarded. How much is a new steel frame and forks from the likes of Planet X?

 

[Cycleops]

Chinese cromo or Reynolds 531. I know what I'd rather have.