vociferous
Dirt Disciple
I have the Lenton Grand Prix, not the Sports. The decal set is different.
Trying to identify my 1950s Lenton Sports
- Thread starter Fanguson
- Start date
Aah, the new-fangled derailleur version. With only 4,000 frames apart mine must have been one of the last Lenton Sports and yours one of the earliest Lenton GPs.
Does your bike have 27 inch wheels (and if so, do they fit in the frame with mudguards?). I am trying to work out what to do with wheels for mine - the originals were 26 x 1-1/4" (597mm), now too rare to consider using. I'm considering going down to a 26 x 1-3/8 (590mm), up to a 700C (622mm) or a 27 inch (630mm). The 590 wheels look a bit small and my GB Coureur brakes can't reach them, the 700Cs fit well and the brakes reach (but that is not an original size on any 50s Raleigh). I don't have a pair of 27 inch wheels to try in the frame.
vociferous
Dirt Disciple
Mine is just a frame (but that in very nice condition) so I am rebuilding it. I tried a pair of 650B wheels but the GB Coureur brakes I have won't reach the rims (582 diameter vs the original wheels at 597mm). The brakes will reach 622 or 630 rims so I will go up in size. I've found a set of SKS Bluemels mudguards which are the closest thing to the originals (sadly without Raleigh logos).
My Lenton history comes mainly from the "on-the-drops" blog which says the Lenton Sports Mark II (mine) was discontinued early in 1957 while the Lenton GP and the "Lenton Sports Mark III" were released later that year. So I guess I should have said I have one of the last Mark II Lenton Sports and you have one of the first GPs.
Feature Mark II (until early 1957) Mark III (from 1957)
Frame tubing Reynolds 531 Reynolds 531 main triangle
Wheels 26" x 1 1/4" (ISO 597mm) 27" x 1 1/4" (ISO 630mm)
Geometry Shorter wheelbase, classic "Clubman" geometry Longer wheelbase, slightly racier angles
Fork rake Curved fork blades with moderate offset More rake, resulting in slightly quicker handling
My Lenton history comes mainly from the "on-the-drops" blog which says the Lenton Sports Mark II (mine) was discontinued early in 1957 while the Lenton GP and the "Lenton Sports Mark III" were released later that year. So I guess I should have said I have one of the last Mark II Lenton Sports and you have one of the first GPs.
Frame tubing Reynolds 531 Reynolds 531 main triangle
Wheels 26" x 1 1/4" (ISO 597mm) 27" x 1 1/4" (ISO 630mm)
Geometry Shorter wheelbase, classic "Clubman" geometry Longer wheelbase, slightly racier angles
Fork rake Curved fork blades with moderate offset More rake, resulting in slightly quicker handling
vociferous
Dirt Disciple
It seems like you may have made the decision to go to 27" wheels, but have you thought of trying to find vintage brake calipers that have a longer reach? I have a source for N.O.S. Bluemels mudguards, too, if you need that.
I would love the source for NOS Bluemels mudguards please. On the wheels I would actually prefer to go smaller than larger as it is closer to the original size (a 650B rim is half an inch smaller while a 27 inch is over an inch and a quarter larger) but I have been constrained by the brakes which I want to keep reasonably original (certainly 1950s and preferable Raleigh, GB Coureur or Weinmann). I will happily check out vintage long-reach brakes.
