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Restoring Vintage Bicycles from the Hand Built Era
Portland, Oregon, USA
Hi Nola
I love your blog. Do you sell these bike you rebuild. I am looking for a vintage mixte bike to supplement my worn out 40 year Raleigh. Let me know. thank you for sharing.
Hi, thanks for your comments. I’ll get in touch with you via email.
thanks for the quick reply!
I would like an estimate for the old 1940s bike I inherited from my dad. It is currently in Europe but I plan to have it shipped over to the US soon. Is that something you could do and how much would it be (ballpark)? I can send some images.
Thanks
Hi Yves,
Do you know the builder/maker of the frame and what model? Before sending photos that would help. I don’t give value estimates but may be able to point you in the right direction.
Ms. Wilken; I recently acquired a Raleigh Sport 3speed. It has a 5 inch rear reflector; Shimano hub; no white fender trim. Can you guess how old it might be. Appreciate your work. Daniel Sinsley .Allentown, Pa.
Hi Daniel,
If it is a Raleigh Sport and not a Raleigh Sports model my guess is that this is a Taiwan made Raleigh for the US market. The Shimano hub would also indicate that the bike is not UK manufactured, or that it was later “upgraded” with the Shimano hub. You could try posting a photo on the Raleigh Nottingham Facebook page to see if anyone there might know more about the bike. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theraleighbicyclenottinham/
Ms. Wilken, I don’t know who else to turn to. I have seen pictures of bikes with a short, flat chainstay and a vertically inclined seatstay. This is most interesting but I can’t find out anything about it. Is there a time frame; was this a popular style? Thanking you in advance. Happy Holidys. Daniel in Allentown, Pa
Hi Daniel,
I can’t picture what you are referring to. A vertical seat stay and short chain stay would mean possibly a tiny rear wheel, and/or a non diamond shaped frame.
Short horizontal chainstay. The seatstay is angled closely to the seat tube. Rear wheel is close to the bottom bracket. I can’t find any pictures bu some of the Raleigh Technium come close. Daniel in Allentown
Ms. Wilken, do you sell Raleigh parts new/used?
Daniel in Allentown
Hi Daniel, here is one source for Raleigh spares. http://www.raleigh-katsaris.com/main-inner.php
You may also want to check eBay. I don’t stock Raleigh parts except for my own use for restorations. Good luck with your search!
Hi Nola,
Love your bikes and detailed internet presentations (wish I had that much patience for such Internet posting)! Hey you mentioned that you have many freewheel pullers except a TDC (three notched), I have three and if you’d like one and you could have it for free as long as you’d cover shipping. If you’d like I could send you photos.
Happy & Safe Cycling!!!
Thanks Donald. I would be interested. If you send me an email via my contact form on the about page I’ll follow up. Much appreciated!
HI Nola,
Gee sorry I haven’t seen your reply (I’m not so internet savvy) . Yes I still have the TDC freewheel puller.
Don
Hi Nola……I’m the guy with the TDC freewheel remover, contact me at;
donmac70@hotmail.com
Hello! Just wanted to see how the ProtectaClear is holding up on the fork? Or rather how the fork is holding up under the ProtectaClear. I’m about to follow your method for an early 70’s 531 frame. Thank you in advance!
It’s holding up quite well. If I were to do it again I would add a few extra coats.
Hi Nola,
i‘m trying since weeks to identify an old bike from france. I guess it‘s from 1960s or70s. It has no lugs, an old stronglight crankset and a small chain guard made of hammered sheed with a nice stamp (which i cant identify). The connections between the tubes are very smooth. Its painted all over black – just on the seat tube is a green part framed with french flag decals.
There was reynolds stem on it and a lucas bell no 73 on it.
Do you have any ideas what it could be?
Kind regards
Sebastian
Hi Sebastian, I don’t know what you have but there are plenty of forums you could try by posting photos. You could start with bikeforums.net, the Classic and Vintage section. Good luck.
Hi Nola,
My name is Tony and I live in Tualatin. I have a 1960s Norman of England rod brakes 28″. I got it as a gift when I was 15 in 1970. I need some parts and was hoping you could help. For example front rim and rear carry rack. Thanks Tony.
Not sure where to send a email.
Hi Tony, the best place to sort parts for your bike is probably UK eBay. Shipping might be expensive these days. You might also try bike forums to see if any enthusiast might have a stash of whatever it is you are looking for.