My vintage 2 wheel project...
 

OK, so it doesnt have an engine, but i thought id have a go at restoring this.:smilie_re:
http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...psd10cc4ed.jpg


It was my mum Raleigh Bicycle. She bought it when she was 16, so that makes it..... eh about 50 odd years old.
We brought it home from her "homeplace" about 30 years ago, and it became my "wheels".
All the other lads had BMX's and Racers, but i have to say, much like today, i opted for comfort in the saddle dept.:D
Years of neglect had taken their toll, so it became pretty much as you see below.:(

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2839bb62.jpg

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8d2614a.jpg

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...ps415f1fe5.jpg

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ed976cf.jpg

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9eab1b1e.jpg

Firstly, all the shiney bits were stripped off.

All nuts and bolts are stainless steel, and i had no problem removing any of them. A quick rub down with wire wool, and most of them are as good as new.
Youve got to hand it to Raleigh... these things were build to last.

The black bits were stripped back to bare metal, and after a couple of coats of primer and a top coat, things are starting to look better...

Work in progress, more to do...

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44d747c1.jpg

I'm in no rush with this project, so ill work as and when it suits.

(Every time i go to do a bit, i have to make space in the garage, so the other old timer, on the left, has to be moved.)

http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/...psf45de054.jpg

Will post up progress, as and when...

Get it stripped down and then send it out for paint, powder coat and chrome! ;) :D

Where've i heard that before:cool::D

Nubby!!!!! :d

Oh yeah,American Chopper :bowdown::D

Sean, I used to build bikes from the last ball bearing. Used to have some weird shape ones some frames from America and my favourite was my Chopper push bike with massive extended forks, I had 5 Chopper Rallies at one time with the gears in the middle.
I did do up a bike like that which had 3 gears coming from the back central hub with the rod brakes and it was black and cool from what I remember after I had finished with it. Wish I had taken some pictures

Keep me informed on this project because I think it is a brilliant one and would love to see it back to its condition:bowdown:

Thanks Jay. I remember the choppers well:) A cool bike! If I remember correctly, they're quite collectable now too. Have yours disappeared over the years?
I Don't think I'll be building this one up from the ball bearings, though I have cleaned up all the stainless and chrome bits as far as I can. Some bits, like the front brake rods, and saddle springs have some corrosion beyond what can be polished out. I know I could go and buy replacements, but I'm going to try to keep it as original as possible, so it will still bear some old battlescars. The rear wheel looks like it is the only part that needs to be replaced, rather than refurbed, but the centre gear hub is still fine, and will be transferred to the new wheel in due course.
Will keep the post updated as work progresses.
Just need to remember where all the bits go back on! :)

The rim is called a Kendrick and may still be available enabling a rebuild, alternative is to dismantle the wheel, have rechromed followed by a rebuild at a good cycle shop.

They were a lovely bike.

Rover invented that style of cycle, it was known as the 'safety cycle' and was featured in Portillo's railway program, when he visited the Coventry Motor Museum. This safety cycle design is the origin of the modern bicycle, that is a chain driven rear wheel by crank and pedals, and replaced the earlier Bone Shakers, Penny Farthings, etc. The 'old' Rover company were great innovators, they were a leading light in Gas Turbine development and obviously became very well known for their four wheel drive initiatives.

Does anybody on here own a Rover cycle? There are a few belonging to Rover Sports Register members.

Roverite.

Project Raleigh!
 

Really great to do something that's been in the family. There's several sites that do repro Raleigh decals I saw when looking for something else eg

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Bi...item4ac0cb571c

Not a bad price either.

More pics as the work progresses please!