[Closed] Turning an old 50's roadster into a 1930's looky likey race bike.

Is that one of these?

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If so it looks a lot like the Wayfarer, I seem to remember my dad's being quite a short wheelbase for general roadster requirements but could be wrong. Lovely old things tho - I'd say if it's beyond professional restoring to original spec then why not have at it, have fun with old bikes!

Why not give it a period 1958 restoration?

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

That's what I've got, but mine was propping up a barn for forty years.

Here's something to model it on. My 1932 Sunbeam Road Racer. (These were used in the Olympics)

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To my mind the ultimate 1930s road race bike was the Lauterweight by Jack Lauterwasser (ex Olympian)

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8197/8254135771_0dd62776bd_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8197/8254135771_0dd62776bd_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

You'll need decent brakes. A suitable period brake is the Resilion which can be made to work as well as a modern brake.

The correct size rims to use are 26x1¼" - slightly different size from what will be on the Raleigh, but it's hardly noticeable and your Raleigh probably has Westrick rims and spokes if it has the original wheels, so it can use calliper as well as rod brakes.

Laid out all the parts, going to swap the rods for cable brakes fit dropped North Roads and black enamel the lot.

Sounds good.

Going to do a set of progress pics in this thread?

Starting with the before pics. 🙂

You'll need butterfly nuts too.

pinstriping always looks good. some stuff is easy, tanwall tyres, cork grips, brooks.

With ref to epicyclo's Lauterwasser comments.....these photos may help a little. They show my '34 Lauterweight machine......it was refurbished some years ago and the original transfers came from Jack himself. Plus an original Lauterwasser pump!

<img src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/rickymontego/1934%20J%20Lauterwasser%20Lauterweight/DSC06751_zpswwhr7dt4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06751_zpswwhr7dt4.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/rickymontego/1934%20J%20Lauterwasser%20Lauterweight/DSC06768_zpswcli3fmv.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06768_zpswcli3fmv.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i1290.photobucket.com/albums/b531/rickymontego/1934%20J%20Lauterwasser%20Lauterweight/DSC06759_zpsnrbrixwo.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06759_zpsnrbrixwo.jpg"/>

thegeographicalnortherner - Member
With ref to epicyclo's Lauterwasser comments.....these photos may help a little. They show my '34 Lauterweight machine......it was refurbished some years ago and the original transfers came from Jack himself. Plus an original Lauterwasser pump!

That is beautiful.

When I was a lad working in a bike shop in the 60s, the owner used to tell me I'd never get my bike as light as a Lauterweight. It became my dream bike, but I never have seen one for sale, ever. Let me know if you ever want a new home for it. 🙂

I even bought a late 1930s Rudge because Jack Lauterwasser had a hand in the design - with the intention of building a look-a-like.

In the meantime I make do with the Sunbeam Road Racer. I even have a set of Lauterwasser bars for it, but need the stem.

Your pics have also convinced me to refurbish my Sunbeam. The bikes look better when they are as they were intended to look.

[img] [/img]

Any chance of some close ups of the cranks? - I believe there was a lot of work went into lightening them, especially redundant metal around the cotter pin.

Jack Lauterwasser at 92

If you send me your direct email (epicyclo) I'll send you some direct photos....cheers.

http://www.pashley.co.uk/bikes/bicycles/speed-5.php

I've actually done the reverse and taken one of these and put 'vicar' North Road bars on for riding sedately to the shops...

thegeographicalnortherner - Member
If you send me your direct email (epicyclo) I'll send you some direct photos....cheers.

Thanks

brian AT brianmacleod.com

thegeographicalnortherner - Member
If you send me your direct email (epicyclo) I'll send you some direct photos....cheers.

Thanks

brian AT brianmacleod.com

Would love to get some as well, I've tried to PM you but can't find the link on your profile - perhaps not able to yet as I have a new account.

I have lauterwasser handlebars on my 1947 Raleigh Lenton clubman and was a top bloke who had a very interesting history in cycling. the moulton bikes being particularly important - can't find any other pictures of his 'lauterweight' bikes on ebay but did once miss out on getting a lauterweight tandem frame - someone got a bargain for £65!