Irish Raleigh

A Piece of History

This bike also came from the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition. Most of the parts were original and the geometry of the frame makes it easy to ride. It was made by Raleigh in Dublin, not Nottingham.

The Huret Allvit derailleur is a classic.

With the Brooks seat the bike showcases its Irish roots.

The Irish Raleigh before.

Raleigh Green 60's Mixte Florena

Built to Last



This Raleigh is like a truck, a British delivery van.

brake levers, rounded ends, others called stabbers


Beautiful power train. Cottered cranks like Peugeot.

 This bike came from the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition.

The frame was in really nice shape and I liked the deco inspired graphics.

Notice how the rear brakes are supported on this mixte. 

Biscayne Blue Mixte

Biscayne Blue Mixte

This mid 80's Japanese mixte came from the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition. It was in pretty good shape to start with and it cleaned up nicely. The geometry is inspired by Raleigh.

It looks better with handlebar tape, brake pads and tires.

Cammo Bike

American Eagle Touring Bike

A neighbor had a big pile of trash in front of his house. In this pile was an early 70's American Eagle touring bike. I had a bike like it back in college so I was already inclined to take on the project.

The bike is Japanese so the parts are Japanese too. Since they are inspired by the most popular bike of the time, they are compatible with Raleigh. The fact that I had a shed full of parts that would fit it clinched the deal. 

What about the paint? 

Easy is the theme here. First I looked at the camouflage pattern from a WWI Spad biplane. Then I figured out the colors and went to the local hardware store for paint remover, spray on primer, brushes and paint.