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The bedraggled Raleigh

The Raleigh Sports, as found.

I've had an urge to take experience a classic three-speed for awhile now. The laid-back geometry, relaxed, upright ride and smooth internally-geared hubs just speak to me.

In the time of COVID, even ragged projects seem to be fetching an awful lot of money, and since I already had too many projects going anyway, I figured that would have to just remain a daydream for awhile.

And then this turned up, literally asking to be picked up from the curb. Who could resist a free Raleigh Sports? So, after taking just enough time to be sure it was mostly all there, I drug it home.

And quickly discovered there were reasons it was free. It was really in pretty rough shape. I expected the tires to be flat, and for it to be grimy. Honestly for free, I didn't expect much, but figured even if it was a total bust I could just tuck the Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub away for some future project.

Even so, I really didn't know what I was getting myself into.

The battered chainguard appeared to be held on mostly with grime, and that three-speed cable may be past its prime. The decal style places it somewhere in the mid-70s, probably.
The battered chainguard appeared to be held on mostly with grime, and that three-speed cable may be past its prime. The decal style places it somewhere in the mid-70s, probably.
The rear fender is similarly battered and grimy.
The rear fender is similarly battered and grimy.
Lots of surface rust and grime.
Lots of surface rust and grime.
So filthy. So very, very filthy.
So filthy. So very, very filthy.

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See all the Raleigh Sports posts.

Tags: raleigh