Raleigh Runabouts

[shadaboot27]

Admin please delete if this is not allowed. I guess these are 50% bicycles so hopefully will be okay.

I went to someones house to buy 2 bicycles, and I ended up buying 2x 60's Raleigh Runabouts while I was there. They look so cool! I was wondering is anyone on here knows much about them? Are they easy to fix up? The engine is seized on one but the other turns over. Im hoping that with some WD-40 and a bit of petrol I can get them going. I'd quite like to get them going then sell one and possible keep another as they look like they could be a lot of fun, and I would imagine they would be pennies to run and insure? Would be handy to go to the shops on.

 

[mjr]

I know nothing about them except that I saw one at the Fenman Classic a few years ago. www.fenmanclassic.co.uk

 

[Drago]

Not seen one of them for 30 years or more. What are your plans for them?

 

[shadaboot27]

Not seen one of them for 30 years or more. What are your plans for them?

I want to try get them both running. Then I want to keep one for myself and sell the other one.

 

[Oldfentiger]

My mother had one, which I borrowed on occasion. They get sooted up quite often, so a decoke would be the first thing on the list. About a 15 min job iirc

 

[shadaboot27]

Here's some more pictures. One of them is in much better condition than the other one. The good condition one was running the last time it was used and the engine and wheels both spin so I'm hoping with a bit of WD-40, some air in the tyres and some fuel in the tank it will start. This is also the one with the v5 present, so if I can get it up and running I will be selling it. The other one is really rusty and the engine is seized but I really love the rust and the patina so I want to try get it running and I will leave it looking exactly as it does now as it really shows its age and I think it's beautiful.

 

[Firestorm]

Just in case you didnt know, they are two stroke so will need a petrol oil mix.

 

[shadaboot27]

My mother had one, which I borrowed on occasion. They get sooted up quite often, so a decoke would be the first thing on the list. About a 15 min job iirc

What do you mean by decoke?

 

[biggs682]

What do you mean by decoke?

Take the cylinder head of and remove as much of the carbon build up as possible from the head and piston crown areas.

 

[Firestorm]

What do you mean by decoke?

Because Its a 2 stroke it will burn oil, which causes a soot build on the cylinder head, exhaust port and piston head, this soot sets hard , hence "Coke", a decoke is a top end strip to remove the build up

 

[Fab Foodie]

Tres cool!

 

[Drago]

Main bearing oil seals will be rock hard with age unless they've been run regularly. You might get them running, but to get them running consistently and properly they'll need a rebuild, but its not a major task.

 

[raleighnut]

Admin please delete if this is not allowed. I guess these are 50% bicycles so hopefully will be okay.

I went to someones house to buy 2 bicycles, and I ended up buying 2x 60's Raleigh Runabouts while I was there. They look so cool! I was wondering is anyone on here knows much about them? Are they easy to fix up? The engine is seized on one but the other turns over. Im hoping that with some WD-40 and a bit of petrol I can get them going. I'd quite like to get them going then sell one and possible keep another as they look like they could be a lot of fun, and I would imagine they would be pennies to run and insure? Would be handy to go to the shops on.

I thought you were selling your bike 'collection' due to moving/'downsizing' so where are you gonna keep these.

 

[shadaboot27]

I thought you were selling your bike 'collection' due to moving/'downsizing' so where are you gonna keep these.

No I sold my last bike collection because I moved into a small house. But I have moved again so now I have room again

 

[shadaboot27]

I know nothing what so ever about motorbikes so realistically how hard do you think it would be for me to get these running? Most of the bike is just a bicycle so all that stuff I'm alright with, its just the engine stuff i have no clue about. What would I have to do step by step to try start them? or where online is the best place to look for info or tutorials? I have rebuilt car entire car engines before at collage but it was under supervision. Any advice would be appreciated.