Raleigh Project One, The Frame

I won't bore you on how to take a bike apart. If you cant figure that out, don't expect you will be able to put it back together again.
Seperate all the parts in plastic bags to access later. Starting with the bare frame, Wash everything down with warm water. Stuborn "Baked" on oil and grease can be difficult, so take your time.
My five favorite things to clean and restore my bicycles are, White polishing compound, 000 Steel Wool, 0000 Steel Wool, Elbow Grease and some kind of hard wax. Paste wax is better then nothing, but whipping air into the wax and cleaner in one is in my mind, not as good. If you don't have or know what Elbow Grease is, Stop Here.
Dampen a cotton cloth and work the White Polishing Compound into the rag. Go over everything. Go extra lightly over the Decals or else they too will be polished off. Add extra Elbow Grease to the dropout and Bottom Bracket areas. After the frame and fork are covered with an almost un-noticeable coating of the water and polishing compound. let them dry.
With a clean cloth and more Elbow Grease start your polishing. This will take a fair amount of time. It you use too much polishing compound and see white around lug lines and welds, simply wash it away with warm water.
After you have polished the frame and fork to a level of satisfaction, wax the frame. Remember, Wax On, Wax Off Grasshopper? Sorry. Wax each tube at a time and apply the wax and then with a clean dry rag polish it. Don't wait for this kind of wax to dry first. Its not that type. Its not super important to have it perfect at this time because after the bicycle is back together again, You will be polishing it more. This is a step that will allow you to shine spots that will later be difficult with the components back in place.
Put the frame away and have a break, Spot of Tea anyone?

Raleigh Project One

Over the next 5 work days I will be restoring a customers Raleigh Sports. In fair shape with not having a whole lot of use in the past, the bicycle should turn out beautifully. Check back over the next few days as the Raleigh Project One goes back together, and get some tips and views for your next restoration. Here are some Photos of the bicycle:

The Raleigh Dawn Tourist

The Raleigh Tourist has was the premium Raleigh 3 Speed for years. First introduced to the American market in the 30's, The All Steel Bicycle, never meant so much. The braking system was rod actuated with a special "Westwood Pattern" Rim. Like what we know as a DL-1, but with 26 x 1 1/2 wheels.

Rod brakes never need cable replacement. Keeping the brake clean and lubricated was all that was needed for sure stopping. Brake levers needed to be adjusted by bending then out to increase the throw. After a while the levers would bend closer to the grip not allowing the brake to work as intended. Mechanics I have worked with hated to have to adjust these brakes, It only took raising the handle bars 1/4" to bring both the front and rear brake pads closer to the rim. Micro adjustment could be done with a rubber mallet moving the handle bar stem down slightly with a snug, but not tight stem Raleigh Dawn Tourist The bicycle pictured is from the 1967 UK market catalog.

1893 Raleigh Ad

I found this ad years ago in the back of a framed photograph as stuffing. It had been cut to fit the little frame. I no longer have the frame and can't remember what was in it but this is the oldest Raleigh ad I have ever seen.

The bicycle is the green Raleigh posted back on November 17th.

Happy 2012 Everyone!

This is the year! The year for doing all the things ,in time, that you thought about and really wanted to do! Living your life at a pace that allows you to take things important in stride and accomplish the goals you wanted in the past. Like taking your time and riding that Roadster, head up and aware of the beauty that surrounds you. Not just focusing on one spot, but 360 degrees. The heads up style of riding can be extended into your life as well. Constantly arriving, every moment! Rather heading off and after a while being someplace that you really don't want to be. For some, that's there job. Allowing the time to stop and be, is so very important too! "Enjoying The Ride" rather making record time has you ready to deal at a healthy and happier state. The BOSRUG2 way! Happy 2012 Everyone!

Happy Last Day!

I never understood the celebration name "First Night." I always thought it set a poor example for children like having a sign on a station wagon that says "School Bus" or miss spelled words in advertising just to be cute. We all know that in fact that it is that last night and the first morning but someone with an idea named it as it is and the rest is history, or Her-Story. That said, Here's wishing all a happy "Last Day." It looks like its going to be a good one!

Bring Your Raleigh Home

After finishing my road find 1937 Raleigh Golden Arrow restoration, one year later I brought it back to the UK for day tours from one B&B. Here is a shot of the bike and my first glimpse of the English Channel. Those white specks in the background are sheep.

My solo 2 week vacation and a Dream Come True!

One Week Ago,,,,

Raleigh Christmas Everyone!

Christmas for me is a great day for a ride. Traffic is low and as long as the roads are clean, A Raleigh Cyclist can enjoy the countryside like on no other bicycle. More to look at as you roll along, Homes are decorated for the day. Riding in New England at this time of year its hard not to notice!

Any bicycle will do but The Raleigh seems to stand out and is noticed by folks you pass on their Christmas Day walk. A ring of your bell always sets them smiling and wishing you a happy day!

Its cold this morning. One of the coldest this season. The thermometer on the deck here in Dover, Ma reads 14 degrees. A good morning to put another log on the fire and plan the perfect ride. Short but sweet. Check back here later today for photographs of my Christmas Ride. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Todays Bicycle of Choice, 1954 Raleigh RRA

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Photographs from Sundays Ride

Ride Report, 3 Speed, 3 Pub Tour

What a wonderful day and great group. Six riders, just large enough to stay together and enjoy the company of all. We were never too large going into the Pubs, all which were perfect for the style of riding. As close to being in England as one might imagine! A newer vision of the UK. Oh, New England!
The Group met as planned on the Salem Commons and after a spot of tea and a piece of excellent Shortbread for dipping, headed out on the ride.
As we rolled away with Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" playing from a hidden sound system, the sun came out in full force and warmed body's and souls.
The architecture along the way, perfectly lit, was a joy. Nothing like the "North Shore" for its antique views and splendid scenery. The 3 speeds blended in perfectly. All riders dressed for the location.
Our first stop. in Beverly,Ma was a little all wood Pub called "Kitty O'Shea's" All hard wood, and like going back in time. They offer a full Irish Breakfast. We stuck to the bitter that was Boddington's. A perfect pour for this side of the Atlantic. We agreed that a pint before noon on Sunday was perfectly OK, because we never got by the first question, "What's wrong with Sunday?"
From the Waterfront to the Woods, our tour never had us on roads with large up hills. Somehow though we enjoined miles of coasting on large down hills. Magic! Thank You Doug.
Our next pub was "The Black Cow" in South Hamilton, Ma. where I enjoined a bowl of Clam Chowder and a pint of "Old Speckled Hen". The Chowder was spot on and again, the bitter, a perfect pour. We passed around stereo slides of a ride I did on a 37 Raleigh Golden Arrow back in 2007. A lot of them looked just like the tour we were on today.


We headed out of town with a quick stop and bicycle ringing to try to arouse Christopher Igleheart at his cute cottage along the way. With no luck we headed back toward Salem.
Our next stop was a very nice Oyster Bar called "Cygnet" In Beverly Farms and had a plate of Oysters to share. The prizes were handed out. First went to Mark just for showing and being Mark. He was the driver from Concord NH. who brought Dave. Dave got Second Place, just because he is Dave. Barbara got 3rd place because she was the only one to wear a skirt. (Only Women Too!)
We headed back with still great sunlight and warmth for December, around 55 degrees. Beautiful sky. the waterfront looked like a postcard with all the sailboats. The moon was out in the full lit sky giving a extra special touch to the scenery and views of 1700's architecture.

We finished at a Pub in Salem called the "Old Spot" Again Perfect setting for the finish of our 3 pub, 3 speed tour.

A Toast was made to Doug, Us, And plans for our next ride!

The Birthday Ride

What a great way to spend your birthday! Riding a Raleigh that's as old as you!
The bicycle lends to the scenery as a work of art does to a view and no matter where you go, people notice.
My "Birthday Ride" this year was to the "Waterworks Museum" at 2450 Beacon Street in Boston. Closed on Monday and Tuesday, Admission if free and the folks running the show are happy to have you.
The "Great Engines Hall" is really something to be seen in person. The photographs here do not show the immensity of the machines that once pumped water from the reservoir across the street to building and homes at higher elevations in Boston not reachable by the normal gravity feed of the aqueduct system.
It was nice to see that rather close down the building that something positive had been done that allow one to see the greatness of our capital city.
A ride afterwards around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir was a good way to view the building in its grandeur.


The View From Across the Chestnut Hill Reservoir


The Grand Front Door



My 1952 Raleigh Sports Birthday Bicycle