3 Raleigh RSWs conquer the Worcestershire Beacon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raleigh RSWs are Shoppers, not MTBs.

Right?

But we took 3 for a ride up the 'hill': )

On these 'mad', but very cool, vintage 3 speed machines.

To climb the Worcestershire Beacon.

For a picnic.

Was an amazing day. A proper 'one off'.
Check the pics below: )

Remember these bicycles are 50 year old, 3 speed Shoppers!

3 together is rare anywhere.
3 on top of the Malvern Beacon is unique.
Peter, Darren & John with our sturdy steeds. We hold this record!; )

We did it.

And we never saw a single MTB.

We set out from Worcester. That's where we're going. The highest bit between the two chimneys. Pete looking apprehensive!

On the way up we are looking down on houses...

3 little bikes two big smiles. Halfway up rest point.

Peter did check the skip before we set off: )

We thought these were after us, but we just lost them...

Were you calling the sheep here Pete? ; )

Final resting place on the ascent. We going to the highest point with the two little markers... This is the hardest bit.

Pete went for it!

Darren was a Hero! Just the last few yards here.

Done it: )

My machine here with its original white tyres. The highest RSW in Worcestershire ever!

The only pic we got of the three of us, courtesy of a lovely lady passer by. Thank you: )

Royal Enfield vintage machines

1950s Superlights? 1960s Revelations? 

I do like Royal Enfields: )

Here are 2 nice Superlights. One modernised & refinished. The other has its original paint & running as a Single Speed here.

The red one is 1955ish & the black one 1960.

Original spec was as a flat bar (Allrounders anyway: ) tourer, with a 531 main frame & 26" steel wheels, with Sturmey Archer hub choices.

Superlight was an optimistic description of a 35lb machine, but this was 60 years ago. The red one, weighing 26lbs here, makes a great Town Bike/Light Tourer, with a period FM hub, 700 alloy rims & mostly alloy parts, brakes especially. Good for another 60 years now.

The black one is trialling 27" wheels here. Not a lot of clearance but they work! (It'll get 700s eventually.) Was intending to refinish it when I got it, but when you look at the original paintwork/decals it'd be a shame to do that. So I'll tidy up the paint & polish it, & I think it makes a great comparison with the other machine.

I've got the original Ebay pics of these two machines to compare: )

Looks a little odd to me as seen, but although it was well used, it was well maintained also, & upgraded over time. Front wheel hub brake?? Raleigh Roadster rack! Big Sturmey Archer lamp: ) Interesting Raleigh chain-set...

This one is odd too, but in a different way. This was originally fitted with Allrounder bars. These are Track bars! And it has the original RE alloy chain set. I just wanted the 531 frame with the great Royal Enfield 'Made like a Gun' head-badge: )

My red RE Superlight is now in good hands: )

With Worcester Cathedral in the background. Nice bike & very cool new owner. In good hands now!
I'll take a better photo next time I see him, with my black Superlight hopefully: )

Another pic here of our group before we set off for a social ride along the River Severn.

Note the Social Distancing: )

Revelations revealed later...

Meantime here's a couple of interesting Revelation variations.

White one has it's original 20" steel wheels with an AG hub.
Blue one has 22" steel rims with a 2 speed coaster rear. One cable to front brake only.

Standard Revelations are cool too.

More anon.

Reynolds 531C versus Singer 431G

Vintage Reynolds 531C bicycle frame tubing & Classic Singer 431G Sewing machines?

Why? What is the comparison? 
Bit of a mad one maybe, but I was thinking 'Crossover'.

In the early 1960s if you were a cyclist in UK a top option would be a Reynolds 531 frame.

In the early 1960s if you were a 'sewist' in UK a top option would be Singers 400 series sewing machines. Slant-O-Matics. 

Both being at the top of their 'curve' in the 1960s. 

That's the connection. Experience with both tells me there is a considerable & satisfying crossover between the two. Knowledge of one helps the other, I say.

That is my 'Thought for the Day,' but more to follow. Possibly.

Classic Singer 431?

The Singer 431G is the last of the best machines Singer made. IMHO. The Japanese finished Singer in the late 1960s, (As they did with motorcycles/cars/electronics; ) by producing better items at less cost.



Classic 531 frame?

This is a late 1940s Bates Vegrandis, with its distinctive forks. Slightly exotic, amazing even, bulbous 531 tubing, but it was a top 531 choice in its day. 

Come the 1960s 531 was looking old, but cool technology. As with Singer? Alloys came along, then carbon fibre.

I rest my case here.