Raleigh Dynaflite SBDU 753.... 'Manager Special'

[vcballbat]

Just done the crucial weigh in and she's coming in at 9.1kg without mudguards or 20lb in old money... that ain't too shabby for an old hub geared roadster....pub bike..

 

[Nob]

Rear hub must weigh a large percentage of the weight

 

[vcballbat]

Rear hub must weigh a large percentage of the weight

Yeah...it weighs about 1kg on it's own.

 

[pigman]

It would amuse me greatly, parking the bike and most folk would just think it's a dated Raleigh sit up and beg roadster that probably cost a couple of hundred at most, when in reality the bike and it's history is gold dust

 

[peetee]

Good luck learning how to choose and use the Sturmey gears. I had that hub on my original R O Harrison build and I just couldn’t remember how to navigate through the gears. Perhaps if it was my only bike I might have been able to remember it.
Great build BTW. It’s such a bizarre mix of pedigree, frame spec and fittings. Just the sort of thing I like.

 

[AndyMart]

What a special find that one was, you'll be riding that into your 80s!

 

[Peachy!]

I've got mixed feelings about this.
Superb thread and great history and all the components have had such great work and attention that they all look superb, all that is except for the one unique and possibly best component, namely the frame. It looks awful in the photos which would normally hide such a lot, so I can only imagine how horrific the worming looks in the flesh!
No offence meant as obviously the reason it's in such poor condition isn't your fault and I think I understand the "it's only original once" reasoning, I just think ok if you don't want to completely re-finish it (although it wouldn't be hard to exactly replicate and would look amazing) I wouldn't be able to not attempt some localised repair work to the paint.

Sorry.

Bet it rides like a dream though.

I sound like a right miserable twat, sorry, I just like things to be shiny.

 

[Joe_Rides]

For balance, I like it being original. Shiny things aren't for me and I like 'lived in', or even 'ratty' bikes (and cars), albeit mechanically sweet. Especially when it's something special like this, kind of like a "sleeper" in car terms.

Of course, it would indeed look nice painted and shiny as well!

 

[vcballbat]

On a very windy Tuesday last week I did my first 13mile pub run to the Flower Pots at Cheriton, didn't smash my pb but managed to get over 30mph downhill. Getting used to the shifting and can use the gears in three different modes..
left shifter forward for a wide range 3speed, left shifter back for a narrow range 3 speed and using the left shift for all 5 speeds to maintain cadence. I'm also getting used to the paint not being in the best condition, something which I have now come to accept as it tells the story of how this bike has survived virtually intact having been unused for over 40 years. In the flesh it's not so bad and the dark blue metallic hides it well. I like the idea that it's a bit of a 'Street Sleeper' though I'm not sure if Chairman Ian Phillips would have pulled off the mudguards cruising Lenton Boulevard popping wheelie's..

 

[vcballbat]

For balance, I like it being original. Shiny things aren't for me and I like 'lived in', or even 'ratty' bikes (and cars), albeit mechanically sweet. Especially when it's something special like this, kind of like a "sleeper" in car terms.

Of course, it would indeed look nice painted and shiny as well!

My all-time favourite 'Sleeper'...I like Ford gave a little hint that it's something special... crazy money these days ... I'll just have to settle with the old Raleigh..