1953 Raleigh Lenton

 

I rebuilt this 1953 Raleigh Lenton over the second half of the winter and start of this past spring. This is a Reg Harris model with Reynolds 531 main tubes. The frame is a 23 inches and wonderfully light in weight. It has the ornate lugs and a very nice green finish with white/silver type stripes.

 

This bike started life as a road model and at some point in the distant past was converted to an upright utility type configuration. As a utility type bike, it's very light and quite a lively rider. 

 

The wheels are 26 x 1 1/4 (AKA 597mm, 650) endrick rims - Dunlop Special Lightweight steel type. The hubs are a basic Raleigh steel front and a 1953 Sturmey AW rear. 

 

The bike originally came with celluloid Raleigh fenders in the style of Bluemels. Like so many other sets of old, celluloid fenders, the ones with this bike were wipes out long ago. I replaced them with a nice set of chromed steel Raleigh fenders. They're a little heavier, but much more durable.

 

This bike is quite lively, and a lot of fun to ride (think Raleigh Sports, but sportier).  

 

The previous owner opted to add an aluminum Raleigh Industries kickstand. Kickstands were very popular in the US as a means of parking the bike. The stand is a 1950s era stand, so it probably was added very early in the bike's life. I re-added the stand, but used rubber padding to prevent it from injuring the chain stays. I think it's sufficiently old and has become part of the bike's history.

 

 

The pump is an aluminum Raleigh pump from a 1960s era Raleigh Sports. This bike also has some attractive, period decals on the frame.I like the silver lettering and the lightning bolts - a change of pace from the also nice, more conservative Raleigh Sports type transfers of that time.

I still have some final tinkering and set up, but this project is mostly done. It should be a good addition for the coming warm weather.

In a few places, I used clear heat shrink to reinforce and "bandage" small cuts in the vintage cable housings. These creme colored housings are from a 1960s Raleigh Sports, but the color works nicely with the green frame. Heat shrink can be an effective bandage if you want to save period cable housings that are a little damaged, but still functional. The clear heat shrink is visible up close, but from a distance, you won't even notice it.