But to end the year, I thought I'd post about a bike I recently acquired: A Raleigh RSW 16 DeLuxe
This bike was purchased from a local artist who had come by it many years back in a poker game. It is a gorgeous example of this particular bike. While it does have a few "love marks" and the Dynohub appears to not be functioning, overall the bike is in pretty good shape and lacks the cancerous rust that usually plagues vintage steel bikes.
I won't replicate the history of this bike… Sheldon Brown has it covered HERE. I particularly love the original brochure scan that shows this bike, exactly and in this color. HERE is another great history of the bike.
This is the "DeLuxe" version which means it has an integrated lighting system, twist grip shifter and color matched cable housing. Here are a few more pictures I took today in the flat light of a late December:
Above is a shot from the front. Notice the original lamp mounted on the fender… typically, in others I've seen, the mounting is rusted away due to moisture coming at it from underneath. This one is perfect. No rust inside the lamp housing either and the lens appears to be un-cracked and free of scratches.
Here now is a shot from the behind. The chrome rack is, again, a particular problem for these bikes and typically rusted. It has a special slide out portion at the end that was designed to clamp down on the frame of a "carry-all" that was built for this bike. I will be on the lookout for one of these bags…
Here's a rarity… a vinyl saddle without any rips in it! These are notoriously torn and worn. Not this one. Just a bit dirty.
These Dunlop 16 x 2" cream colored balloon tires are no longer available. As you can see from this photo, the tires are still serviceable, but are breaking down a bit.
My plan for this bike is to remove the white bits: tires, pedals and saddle, and store them for posterity. I'll clean her up, rebuild the bottom bracket, hubs and headset and install some new tires, brake pads saddle and pedals, get the Dynohub working then…. ride it!
Happy New Year everyone. Here's to riding into 2014
~charles
UPDATE: February 2, 2014
Here is an image of the same bike, now with the parts set up for riding. Comet 16" tires, a cheap set of platform pedals and a cheap vinyl saddle. I usually swap out a Brooks B-66 between bikes, so this saddle is just a filler.
I had one of these. It was my first bike, about 1969 when I was 9. It brings back great memories. Had my first bike crash on it when I was racing around Boscastle with the other kids and got the gear change between 2nd and 3rd. The pedals spun around madly, my foot slipped off the pedal, I slipped off the seat, landed on the 'cross bar' and dragged my knee along the road until I hit a hedge! Still have the scarred knee 45 years later! Would love to get hold of one of these little beauties now!
ReplyDeleteHey Fran, Thanks for the comment! OUCH! I now have a folding one too. I just can't seem to get enough of these little guys.
ReplyDeleteI have recently bought a RSW Mk II. It's frame is 1" higher and the head tube is longer too - all good for my 6' 190 lb body. I just can't help riding it. Every opportunity I'm on it. When these bikes are set up properly they just want to go. Last week I did a 37 mile round trip (with several pub stops of course), had some gruelling hills (which I walked up), and I didn't even feel as if I'd been out. And BTW, even with those little wheels they handle hard packed trails just as well as the road.
ReplyDeleteHey Nitty K. I had an RSW Mk ll not that long ago that I foolishly sold before I knew what the heck they were. Wish I had it back now. That is nice work putting 37 miles on one!! I have hopes of doing a century on one of my bikes next summer. It probably won't be an RSW, but possibly the Moulton "F" frame I just picked up.
ReplyDeleteSee ya' onthe road! - charles