Raleigh Courier - £30 Gumtree find

[ibbz]

Was actually after a Raleigh Roadster with rod brakes from 1970 - my late dad bought one and sent it abroad then as a present for my uncle.
Also one of my heroes HW Tillman rode one across Africa - from east to west in 1929.

Looking on Gumtree I found this local to me for £30 so picked it up.

A Raleigh Courier. 3 speed.

I’m still after a Roadster but very happy with this.

Almost everything works fine - the gears need adjusting (more or less single speed for now as can’t shift) and there’s obvious patina and rust on the rims etc but seems totally original and rides beautifully!

Smooth and so enjoyable!

Very comfortable and can load it with shopping - and also my wife has been giving me lifts to the station saddling me at the back!!

Anyone know much about these?
And how easy are the gears to adjust?
I’ve no experience with these Sturmey Archer hub gears.

And do you think it may be worth a little restoration ?

 

[Gtpulse]

Classy! Looks like you’d get away with a wipe of fine wire wool on the rims and the bars and you’d have a minter there?

Every time I see a set of those fork crowns on eBay I think I’m seeing Uglis!

Great buy for £30

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Result!

 

[Markybeau]

Wow: A bicycle type bicycle! That's in great nick

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I prefer cable to rod brakes, I know roadster fans will not like that, but there it is

 

[ibbz]

Classy! Looks like you’d get away with a wipe of fine wire wool on the rims and the bars and you’d have a minter there?

Every time I see a set of those fork crowns on eBay I think I’m seeing Uglis!

Great buy for £30

Good idea! I’m going to do that!
The wheels are true and everything seems solid. A shame the Courier gold painted font has faded.

 

[ibbz]

Wow: A bicycle type bicycle! That's in great nick

Exactly my thoughts - i bicycle looking bike!

 

[ibbz]

I prefer cable to rod brakes, I know roadster fans will not like that, but there it is

Same here! The roadster idea was for nostalgia sake and in memory of dad

 

[ibbz]

If anyone has any clue as to which year and perhaps a catalogue picture - I’d very much appreciate it

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Should be a date on the hub, failing that the frame number should begin with N first digit is year. Its in great shape too. Lovely.