1980 Raleigh Esquire

[DarrenW]

Hi

I thought I'd post up my new-to-me bike for general commuting duties when the weather improves a bit, a 1980 Raleigh Esquire.


1980 Raleigh Esquire by retromotoring, on Flickr

I was given it by a friend, and so far I'm very happy with it!

The tyres appeared to be the originals and were very cracked/perished, so it has a set of whitewall Schwalbe Delta Cruisers on it now, and I've spent a lot of time cleaning it up and polishing it.

The front hub seems to have some play in it so I'll have to sort that.

The SA 3-speed AW hub all seems to be working fine but I need a new cable for the twist-grip shifter, does anyone know where I can source one?

I can't seem to find anything that looks the same. In the mean time I've got a new trigger-shifter and cable on it now.

Other than that I have a rack to fit on the back and I need to get some lights for it, but that's about it really!


1980 Raleigh Esquire by retromotoring, on Flickr


1980 Raleigh Esquire by retromotoring, on Flickr

I'm really looking forward to using it properly

 

[jCymbal]

lovely bike in lovely color!

 

[klunkerbr]

Really nice style! Liking the colour!

 

[Goldie]

That's the mutt's nuts - it is in spectacular condition. 3 speed SA and 26" wheels make me go giddy at the moment, although our lass would kill me if I brought one home.

How good a colour is metallic bronze as well? The colour of so many great things (well, approximately...) - bitter, Mk 3 Cortinas, Hawaiian Tropic, curry..

 

[cmccuaig]

raleigh esquire

My dad just found one in a skip a month or so ago, immaculate and absolutely nothing wrong with it, even has a bell and pump.

 

[Spokesmann]

These are solid old bikes, didn't change much over the years. In the 1970s they could be had with dyno lighting too. Ill dig out a scan when I can.

 

[DarrenW]

I thought I should post some more pics... I've done 4-500 miles on it now, it's so comfortable! I'm using it for work most days now the dark nights have gone, 12 miles a day, and when I've got time I get about 30 miles in at the weekends.


DSCN1973-Edit by retromotoring, on Flickr


1980 Triumph Traffic Master and 1980 Raleigh Esquire by retromotoring, on Flickr

No real problems, the crank was a bit loose and needed attention, I got that fixed for a tenner and it has been fine ever since.

I made a front lamp for it too, took a broken original lamp and fitted/soldered/modified an LED camping lamp and battery pack to fit inside. Works well

I love it

 

[Spokesmann]

Love those images, they are very 70s in their look.

The lamp is somewhat different.

I have a few of these which I can use with a special insert to take the old HP11 batteries.

 

[Captain Bb]

This is my first post and I guess I'm digging up an old thread but here goes anyway.

I wanted an old jollopy for riding to the pub - something I can leave outside without worrying about it too much (my other bike being a Cannondale Classic road tourer) - so recently picked up a Raleigh Equire. She needed some TLC and a little research on the model soon lead me to this forum, so I decided to join up.

Anyway, here's my "Pub-Master Deluxe" after I'd just finished getting her sorted and about to go for an initial trial run.

I have to say, I'm quite impressed how spritely this Ole Girl rolls along and I'm becoming quite attached to her.

 

[supercourse]

I have a 1978 Triumph Trafficmaster that my dad gave me as he didn't use it anymore, at 85 he decided he'd pass it on to me. It's just such a great bike to ride I agree with Captain Bb its very easy to get attached to it