1960's Classic - Raleigh Riviera
Discussion
Something a bit different - this bike was an early Christmas present to myself. I was on the look out for a Raleigh three speed to enjoy 'slow riding' around town. Once ten-a-penny, this type of bike has gradually disappeared and it took a while to find something that appealed. I spied this one on eBay, in time-warp condition but needing work to get it rideable again:
I wanted to try and keep the bike in as original condition as possible, but making it usable and comfortable for me. First thing to go was the saddle. I would've loved to have kept it, but the plastic base had badly cracked, so I swapped it out for a Brooks B66. I then set to on the rest of the bike. I stripped and rebuilt the rear hub. It was in remarkably good condition. The worst part was that the oil had dried to a varnish, but white spirit worked its usual magic:
There was zero wear on the bottom bracket as well. Disassembly, clean & re-grease.
Original Dunlop tyres, way past their best (replaced with some DSI tan-wall tyres):
The worst parts of the bike was the chrome - no corrosion, but the chrome had lifted badly - too far gone to polish out. So I decided to replace the rims with Raleigh Stainless Steel rims. I had hoped to re-use the original galvanised spokes, but they were just a little too long, so replaced them with stainless steel spokes as well. I'm waiting for the spokes to do the front wheel, but here's the rear:
Having test ridden the bike, I lowered the gear ratio to a 46t on the front and a 22t on the rear, keeping the original chain (a reduction of around 15%, which works nicely).
I've also swapped out the handlebars for some Raleigh 'North Road' (I think they're called) bars - again much nicer, both in terms of condition and comfort. I've kept the original gear and brake outers, but replaced the inners. The brakes are still utterly rubbish though, as are the working lights.
Once the nice weather has arrived, I'm thinking of stripping it all down and lacquering the frame - the paint is beginning to lift/show it's age and I want to preserve it and the original decals and prevent any corrosion from setting in. I've also got a Carradice saddle bag on it's way, to complete the bike. Other than that, plan is to use it to ride around and explore at a leisurely pace, stopping at the occasional pub.
Anyway, thank you for reading (if you got this far)!
I wanted to try and keep the bike in as original condition as possible, but making it usable and comfortable for me. First thing to go was the saddle. I would've loved to have kept it, but the plastic base had badly cracked, so I swapped it out for a Brooks B66. I then set to on the rest of the bike. I stripped and rebuilt the rear hub. It was in remarkably good condition. The worst part was that the oil had dried to a varnish, but white spirit worked its usual magic:
There was zero wear on the bottom bracket as well. Disassembly, clean & re-grease.
Original Dunlop tyres, way past their best (replaced with some DSI tan-wall tyres):
The worst parts of the bike was the chrome - no corrosion, but the chrome had lifted badly - too far gone to polish out. So I decided to replace the rims with Raleigh Stainless Steel rims. I had hoped to re-use the original galvanised spokes, but they were just a little too long, so replaced them with stainless steel spokes as well. I'm waiting for the spokes to do the front wheel, but here's the rear:
Having test ridden the bike, I lowered the gear ratio to a 46t on the front and a 22t on the rear, keeping the original chain (a reduction of around 15%, which works nicely).
I've also swapped out the handlebars for some Raleigh 'North Road' (I think they're called) bars - again much nicer, both in terms of condition and comfort. I've kept the original gear and brake outers, but replaced the inners. The brakes are still utterly rubbish though, as are the working lights.
Once the nice weather has arrived, I'm thinking of stripping it all down and lacquering the frame - the paint is beginning to lift/show it's age and I want to preserve it and the original decals and prevent any corrosion from setting in. I've also got a Carradice saddle bag on it's way, to complete the bike. Other than that, plan is to use it to ride around and explore at a leisurely pace, stopping at the occasional pub.
Anyway, thank you for reading (if you got this far)!
That’s brilliant, reminds me of a bike my next door neighbour gave to me in the early 70’s, three speed sturmy-archer gears , fully enclosed chain, full mudguards and hub breaks, great for doing skids on wet grass.
Didn’t to take long to get rid of all the surplus items and stick on some cow horn handle bars, used to ride it off road around the local woods.
Didn’t to take long to get rid of all the surplus items and stick on some cow horn handle bars, used to ride it off road around the local woods.
Similar to my mid-90s Raleigh (I think!)
Under £100 in local rag 2021
Hardly used
Fitted kevlar tyres for under £20 in sale a couple of years ago (originals perished)
Great bike to pop down the shops / lock up & not worry about it.
Rides nicely, quiet & comfortable
The pump is the last remaining part of a ‘racer ‘I had in the 80s!
Under £100 in local rag 2021
Hardly used
Fitted kevlar tyres for under £20 in sale a couple of years ago (originals perished)
Great bike to pop down the shops / lock up & not worry about it.
Rides nicely, quiet & comfortable
The pump is the last remaining part of a ‘racer ‘I had in the 80s!
Thanks all.
re. upgrading components. I'm a compulsive upgrader - I just can't help it. With this bike I'm trying my best to keep it as original as possible (not very well so far).
Brakes - part of the issue is that the lever is very close to the handlebar, so there's not much brake travel (as you can sort of see in the photo below). I might see if I can find some similar period brake levers which offer better leverage.
Lights - I'm going to keep them as standard (bar removing any accumulated grime). They are utterly rubbish - it shows how far technology has moved on, but as I won't be using the bike at night, it's not an issue...
re. upgrading components. I'm a compulsive upgrader - I just can't help it. With this bike I'm trying my best to keep it as original as possible (not very well so far).
Brakes - part of the issue is that the lever is very close to the handlebar, so there's not much brake travel (as you can sort of see in the photo below). I might see if I can find some similar period brake levers which offer better leverage.
Lights - I'm going to keep them as standard (bar removing any accumulated grime). They are utterly rubbish - it shows how far technology has moved on, but as I won't be using the bike at night, it's not an issue...
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