Beautiful Vintage NOS Pair/His & Hers 1959 Delux Raleigh Sports Cycles - $12000 (Clinton Hill, Brooklyn)
A Collectors Dream - Museum Quality in Complete & Original Showroom Condition
Gleaming Like New - A Very Special Pair Beyond Compare!
These are Ultra Deluxe and Fully Equipped.
They are unmolested and remain exactly as ordered - by the original owners - from a New York Raleigh Dealership in 1959!
These are essentially two brand new bicycles that were special ordered 54 years ago and stored in a garage until now.
One must remember that this was during a time in America when service was everything for retailers.
Some rare & wonderful all original features include: Original Showroom Hang Tags!!! Booklets, Instructions, Raleigh Guarantees, Tool Sets, Pant Clips, Locks w/ Keys, Saddlebags, Battery Operated Honking Horns, Dual-Beam Headlamps, Tail Lights, Frame Pumps, Dynamo Generators, Custom Ash Flash Power Pack Canisters, Hub Shiners, Brooks B72 Leather Saddles with Brooks Tools, Sturmey Archer TCW "Tri-Coaster" Patented 3 Speed Hubs, High Quality Raleigh Stamped Kickstands, Original Dunlop Sports Tires and Tubes, Extra Rear Caliper Brakes, Deep Rich Black Baked-Enamel Original Paint, Lots of Creamy Heavy Chrome and more!
There are so many beautiful details including original full color decals/transfers and headbadges. These also have the famous Sir Walter Raleigh logo nicely stamped into the steel of many parts including the handlebars, handlebar clamps, seat posts, TCW brake-arm clamp sleeves, brake lever clamps, brake caliper arms, rear fender brackets, kickstands, pumps, and crank arms - and is also stamped into all four sides of each rubber block of the pedals.
Here's a link to 375 additional must see photos of these beautiful bicycles:
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/supergymnast/1959%20His%20and%20Hers%20Raleigh%20Sports/?start=all
For Pleasure, Sport, and Transportation, The Raleigh is Known as the King of all Bicycles.
These incredible machines come from the original owners in upstate New York. They were manufactured in Nottingham, England in 1959 -- imported by Raleigh Industries of America in Boston, Ma. -- and distributed to Towner's Bicycle Shop in Rochester New York - which is where they were special ordered & purchased in 1960. At that time Raleigh bicycles were sold exclusively by authorized Raleigh dealers, not department stores, and Raleigh stood behind their bikes as evident by the "Lifetime Guarantee" provided to every Raleigh owner. The Raleigh was new in the United States, and going against Schwinn and Columbia's heavy weight designs did not at first appeal to the American Market. Marketed as adult transportation and not a child's toy, the Raleigh opened up a whole new world of cycling pleasure for the United States. These were apparently ridden around the block once for a test ride, and then put away in the garage where they have been kept all these years. The original Dunlop Sports tires still have the excess rubber seam from the factory mold. This is definitely one of those lucky "time capsule" finds!
A truly incredibly rare and unheard of find. These are the real deal - from top to bottom, inside and out. They are the finest example of a His &Her pair of complete, deluxe, fully equipped, all original & unrestored Raleigh bicycles. Valuable pieces of history perfectly preserved. You will not find a pair better than these. I've searched extensively and they simply can not be trumped. They're true gems of elegance and excellence. Magnificence manifest in the ultimate expression of human-powered transportation. The 54 year old paint is deep and lustrous, the surprising lack of scratches a testament to the durability of the original workmanship. Every nut and bolt turns with the precision that comes from precisely machined tolerances and expensive materials. Since its formation in 1887, Raleigh was a manufacturer that put quality above any concern of cost. The Raleigh Bicycle was compared to the Rolls-Royce Motor Car, both companies famously striving to produce the best without sacrifice, and all of it's 72 years of technical innovation and knowledge is evident in these cycles. Ultra class and utility rolled up in one - true Ladies & Gentleman's bicycles representing the product of an independent company at its height of manufacturing ability. It shows everywhere you look and touch on these machines, from the quality of the chrome to the smoothness of the bearings. These are fantastic vintage bicycles that are a joy to have.
I take great pride in finding, carefully and lovingly cleaning, servicing, owning, and ultimately presenting such beautiful vintage British built bicycles. It begins with my great passion for collecting only the most well preserved, all original, unmolested and complete cycles. I don't compromise on quality, condition, or authenticity.. as the saying goes, "It's only original once." These are not too good to be true - believe it! I put in the work. I'm extremely diligent in my search for the best bikes of this kind - primarily vintage Raleigh and Rudge 3 speed all-steel beauties. I've learned through my interest, experience and extensive research over many years how to identify these needles in the proverbial haystack.
Original features of Matching Ladies & Gents 1959 Raleigh Sports:
- 1959 Raleigh catalog Model No. 22 for the Gents -- Model No. 22L for the Ladies
- Included is the original 10 page fold-out 1959 Raleigh brochure.
- Included is the original 39 page "Raleigh Industries Limited" Cycle Maintenance Handbook. This is a staple-bound booklet with black & white pages and a color cover.
- Included is the original 6 page fold-out "Maintenance Instructions for the Sturmey Archer 3-speed Hub Gear"
- Included are both original "Raleigh Guarantee" Hang Tags! These hung on every new Raleigh bicycle in every Raleigh dealership at that time.
- Included is the original 34 page Raleigh Industries Limited "Care for Your Cycle - Cycle Users' Handbook"
- Included are the original Dunlop Tire Maintenance cards for each bike.
- Included is the original Maintenance Card for the Royce-Union Horns
- Included are 2 sets of the original black steel pant-clips! These clip around your ankle to keep your pants out of the way.
- Serial number stamped at top of Gents seat tube is 21294 RA
- Serial number stamped at top of Ladies seat tube is 91737 RA
- Frame size as measured from center of bottom bracket to top of seat tube is 21" for both Ladies and Gents.
- Mechanically flawless. Gears on both bikes shift exactly as they should through all 3 speeds. All bearings in the wheel hubs, bottom bracket, and headset have been carefully cleaned and re-greased. Pedal bearings are still fast and smooth - spinning forever. All caliper brakes function as they should. All wheels spin fast and smoothly. All wheels are straight and true. Both horns honk at the press of a button. Power Packs and Dynamos power up headlamps and tail lights. Original drive chain linkages are like new - lightly lubricated and move smoothly & freely. Frames and forks are straight. Frame pumps have good pressure and function as they should.
- Ladies & Gents equipped with their original Sturmey Archer 3-speed TCW (Tri-Coaster) rear wheel gear hubs (40 spoke). The TCW hub design was brand new in 1959 and had to be special ordered for these Raleigh Sports models. Both hubs are chromium plated steel and stamped "Sturmey Archer England TCW" and "G.B. Patent 72316 - Other Countries Applied For" (Ladies hub is dated/stamped 59/1 denoting January 1959 --- Gents hub is dated/stamped 59/12 denoting December 1959)
- Original Sturmey-Archer 3-speed handle bar trigger shifters on both bikes. Flawless functional condition.
- Original Sturmey-Archer steel gear cable wheels, fulcrums, and hardware are stamped with "SA" and are flawless. Gear cables and indicator chains are also perfect. Original vinyl gear-cable housing is still flexible and flawless.
- Original Dynamo Generators attach to the forks - and when clamped down on the tire provide power to the lights when riding. These are in beautiful condition.
- Original "Ash Flash" custom-made canister power packs with handlebar toggle switch. These were custom ordered upon purchase by the original owners to provide auxiliary power to the lighting system. They were custom-made by Towner's bike shop for the customer. Each canister holds 6 DD batteries - heavy-duty!
(One must remember that these bike were ordered during a time in America when SERVICE was everything for retailers.)
- Original "dual-beam" headlamps was another feature that was special ordered for these machines. Each lamp has 2 working original bulbs. The hardware, chrome and 'reflector cups' on these is in excellent condition.
- Original Raleigh "Heron Logo" headlamp brackets on both bikes. Perfect chrome.
- All electrical wiring is in its original pliable, flawless condition.
- Ladies model is fitted with her original Dunlop Sports Tires. Rubber is still strong and supple with no wear to treads. The raised text on tire walls reads: DUNLOP SPORTS...
26x1-3/8... To Fit Rim B.S. EA3 & E4 & E.A.3... MADE UNDER D.R.C.O'S PATENTS SEE CONDITIONS OF LIMITED LICENSE... INFLATE HARD
- Gents model is fitted with his original Dunlop Roadster Tires. Rubber is still strong and supple with no wear to treads. The raised text on tire walls reads: DUNLOP ROADSTER...
26x1-3/8... To Fit Rim B.S. & E.A.3 & F4... MADE UNDER D.R.C.O'S PATENTS SEE CONDITIONS OF LIMITED LICENSE... INFLATE HARD
- Original Dunlop tubes on all wheels are also strong with like new rubber. Schraeder brass valve stems and brass screw-on caps. Tube valves will still hold air for a few weeks. Regardless, they are original and very nice to have.
- Raleigh Westwood steel rims on both Ladies and Gents. Raleigh Chromium plated (with a very nice "center-dull" finish on spine).
Straight and true. All stamped 'RALEIGH' / PTT No. 522483 / '26x1-3/8'
- Matching Raleigh black Bakelite(early version of plastic) frame pump/inflator is beautifully molded with Walter Raleigh logo on handle and stamped 'MADE IN ENGLAND' around top rim. Both pumps have good functioning original hoses and leather washers.
- Original Brooks B72 black leather saddles on Ladies and Gents cycles. Under carriage with black enameled springs and chrome hardware. These are both like new with no wear.
- Included are the 3 original Brooks steel tools for making saddle adjustments!
- Ladies and Gents chain-guards with all original hardware in place. Note: Full chain-cases were quite the rarity here in the States because of a high tariff on machines weighing more than 40lbs.. hence the lighter weight "hockey-stick" style here. Paint and transfers on these is immaculate.
- Ladies and Gents front and rear mudguards in beautiful condition from end to end, inside and out. Glossy, heavy black baked-enamel with gold lining. Beautiful detailed Raleigh Crest transfer on rear Mudguards.
- 48 tooth Raleigh triple Heron-Logo chain wheel (teeth are factory sharp and square - NO wear) It's without a scratch in unused condition. Has nice chromium steel finish.
- Cottered crank-arms are heavily chromed and each stamped with Walter Raleigh symbol. Chromed cotter pins like new.
- Drivechain is like-new with the tiny texts "PERRY" and "ENGLAND" stamped on the links
- Original high quality Raleigh kickstands on both bikes. The Walter Raleigh logo is beautifully molded into the standing arms.
- Sparkling spokes. Every spoke has a little 'R' stamped at the end where they connect to the hubs.
- Original Hub Shiners! These are lovely.. perfect black leather straps with very nice red reflector clamps.. they fasten around the rear hubs to keep them shiny.. and safe!
- Original Raleigh rubber "Bullet-Grips" are incredibly well preserved. Ladies are white. Gents are grey. No wear. No cracks. Still dense, pliable and firmly in place.
- Original handlebars on Ladies and Gents are "North Road" raised (upright). The Chromium plating on these is heavy and perfect.
- Original front and rear caliper brakes in perfect working order. (NOTE: Models equipped with Tri-Coaster hub brakes came standard with a front caliper only. These bikes were special ordered with the extra rear caliper brakes.) Original rubber brake pads have absolutely no wear as indicated by the raised center line on the pads 'face'.
- Original vinyl brake-cable housing is still flexible and flawless.
- Original Paint is WOW - a deep, rich, high-gloss black referred to as "Stove Enamel", which meant the frame and painted parts were hand-dipped in black enamel then furnace-baked/cured creating an extremely tough durable finish. This is a quality of finish that has no equal. Heavy baked-enamel protects the steel beneath far more than normal wear and tear... and keeps on protecting these Raleighs long after ordinary bicycles have begun to rust. It is literally true that, in order to to chip an old Raleigh's enamel finish, you have to attack it with a cold chisel.
- The original elegant gold lining on the tubing was done by hand in the Raleigh factory.
- Original Safety Red rear mudguard reflectors on Ladies and Gents. White rubber housing is still supple. Prismatic reflector is deep red and in wonderful condition.
- Frame and fork: Beautifully lugged and brass-brazed British Steel tubing.
- Original Raleigh cable clips on top tube secure the brake cables and lamp wiring.
- Heavily chromium plated, their rust-proof shining parts stand out against the gold and deep lustrous black of the all-steel body. Heavy chrome protects the steel beneath far more than normal wear and tear... and keeps on protecting these Raleighs long after ordinary bicycles have begun to rust.
- Original pedals spin extremely well, with a smooth, heavy, well-oiled machine-like quality. End-caps unscrew for easy oiling. The rubber blocks still have pronounced casting seams as if just cut from the mold - no wear. Walter Raleigh logo is stamped into all four sides of each rubber block of the pedals. Chromed steel axle tube. End-caps and plates have nice frosted/dulled steel finish. Ladies pedals are 3-1/2" Gents pedals are 4"
- All transfers/decals and head badge are original, beautiful, fresh & colorful.
- Original flip-top oil ports on both the Sturmey-Archer TCW hubs and bottom brackets. Front hubs also have oil ports with original black clip-covers.
- Original black vinyl Kitbags/Toolbags are in great condition. These strap on to the Brooks saddles. Leather straps, buckles and clasp also in wonderful condition.
- Original "Royce Union" battery operated honking horns on both Ladies and Gents. Nice chrome - sound great!
- Included are the original 3 piece steel Raleigh Toolsets for each bicycle! These are in perfect shape, providing a multitude of functions for repair, removal and assembly.
- Included is an original "Made in England" dumbbell shaped bicycle multi-tool with 10 tool fittings -very useful.
- Included are the two original "Reese" locks and chains. Locks still have their original keys. Chains have their original protective vinyl sleeves.
- All assemblies are complete, undamaged, and in great working order. All original screws, nuts, bolts, clamps and clips are present, undamaged, and securely in their proper place.
- Everything is there, in original working condition. Everything operates beautifully.
If you're into beautiful vintage British machines when they were still hand-built by a reigning industrial manufacturer.. at a time when uncompromising utility, quality and class were king and bicycles were bicycles, then these are definitely for you. These were built during the Golden Age of Raleigh and their bicycles. A very collectable piece of bicycle history perfectly preserved. Raleigh bicycles are of the highest quality ever manufactured, made to last 100 years, so this still has at least that long even if ridden. It's good to know that they are very easy to pedal, and have a very comfortable frame geometry, you move fast on these -- not clunkers by any means. A dignified and classy way to travel on a solid machine. And anyone can work on these simple and dependable bikes, they're pretty much indestructible. Internally geared transmission, full chain-case, and full fenders allow trouble free riding for all seasons in any weather. Such a joy to ride, makes my smile muscles hurt every time!
A vintage deluxe Raleigh 3-speed from this era in excellent to mint condition has become highly sought after and is getting nearly impossible to find. They are commonly referred to by many as dream bikes. The ultimate in human powered transportation, vintage Raleigh produced 3-speeds were built as durable utility bikes made of quality steel. They were ridden to work by the ladies and gentlemen who built them at the factory in Nottingham, England, and that sense of pride in ownership comes through. I can't say enough good things about them. With their lugged, high quality steel tubing, deep-rich-durable-luxurious-glossy paint, gold pin-striping, leather saddles, lighting systems, internally geared hubs, stylish fenders, beautiful heavy chrome everywhere, saddlebags, frame pumps, and the list goes on! They really are the Rolls Royce of Bicycles - at the top of the line and undeniably in a class all their own worldwide.
Again - here's a photobucket link to 375 jaw-dropping photos of this incredible machine.
http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/supergymnast/1959%20His%20and%20Hers%20Raleigh%20Sports/?start=all
**I post a lot of detailed pics because it drives me crazy when I'm looking at an ad that does not show an item well. I tried to take a photo of every part of this bike from many angles. Keep in mind that as nice as the pics are, they pale in comparison with the beauty, brilliance, and elegance of these bikes first hand. I've been collecting only the best vintage Raleighs Rudges for several years now. Most of my bikes have hardly been ridden - and some never ridden at all. You will not be disappointed with these. I have rarely seen a more beautiful, elegant and well built pair of bicycles. I don't have bicycles of this caliber/condition very often, but when I do they always go to very happy, satisfied new owners.
SHIPPING: Available for local pick up and I will also ship domestically and internationally. Shipping is in fact free, as I get very good deals with FedEx via my shipping company. Also, I spend several hours packing a bike properly to insure it is secure for safe arrival to you.
Serious inquiries only. Sold as a pair only. These are beyond one in a million. Please contact me before buying. Also, if you are seriously interested and have any questions at all, contact me and I'll be happy to answer them as best I can. Please feel free to call me directly at 212-365-0652.
Thanks for looking and good luck!
Sincerely,
~Alex
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