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Post by wheelson on Mar 31, 2021 21:00:32 GMT
I wish there was an affordable way of shipping to the USA, there’s still decent deals here. Picked up this Stowaway on Monday, mint condition, the seller on eBay sent me an offer with a big discount on his asking price because I was local and I just couldn’t pass on it. It’s a beauty. AF4E6CDD-B88E-45CE-A193-892EF69CBF8B by Franco_AC, on Flickr Franco, I wish there was an inexpensive and reliable way to ship to the USA as well. These bikes intrigue me. Best, John “wheelson” If I owned one of these folders it would “live” in my old Jeep Liberty for those times when I’m out and think “Darn, wish I had a bike”. Best, John “wheelson”
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Post by franco on Mar 31, 2021 21:19:05 GMT
Franco, I wish there was an inexpensive and reliable way to ship to the USA as well. These bikes intrigue me. Best, John “wheelson” If I owned one of these folders it would “live” in my old Jeep Liberty for those times when I’m out and think “Darn, wish I had a bike”. Best, John “wheelson” That’s my plan as well John. I was working on the coast last year staying in a bed and breakfast hotel, the weather was beautiful and I just wanted to leisurely ride along the seafront in the evening. Next time I’ll have the bike onboard
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Post by wheelson on Mar 31, 2021 21:37:06 GMT
At the shop I contract with, I've only seen a couple of the small folders in the past 5 or 6 years and these were more modern ones of unknown origin. Mostly now I see folding adult "senior" trikes. If I were better with the brazing torch, I'd take one of those and build a folding 2-wheeler around the folding joint. More projects than I can possibly complete, so best if I keep my eyes open for at least a complete frameset. Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by franco on Apr 6, 2021 20:17:07 GMT
I picked these pair of projects up on Monday. Got zero room at the moment for more bikes but the seller wanted £10 for the pair, what do you do? I’m hoping I can rebuild the folder for my dad as he wants one for the caravan on the coast instead of borrowing him my Trusty or Stowaway folder. A quick inspection of them I think it’s possible and I hope to start work on them next week. E64602CD-1DB9-4959-A712-1697FE7CEA0A by Franco_AC, on Flickr 7526715B-0F0C-47F6-A0EA-92C7572B7A67 by Franco_AC, on Flickr
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 6, 2021 20:21:16 GMT
Who could resist? Less than a round in the pub.
I love the brown colour . That and the green were common around here in the '70's.
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Post by franco on Apr 6, 2021 20:34:59 GMT
Who could resist? Less than a round in the pub. I love the brown colour . That and the green were common around here in the '70's. I sat looking at them on gumtree thinking I’ve got no room then thought what else can you buy for a tenner? The cranks, pletscher racks and other parts sell for more than that on eBay. But between the two I’m optimistic I can rebuild one leaving a spare frame for daft ideas like a BMX hybrid. I love working on old bikes, can’t wait for a quiet week at work and some nice weather to get stuck into these pair.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 6, 2021 20:39:48 GMT
Who could resist? Less than a round in the pub. I love the brown colour . That and the green were common around here in the '70's. I sat looking at them on gumtree thinking I’ve got no room then thought what else can you buy for a tenner? The cranks, pletscher racks and other parts sell for more than that on eBay. But between the two I’m optimistic I can rebuild one leaving a spare frame for daft ideas like a BMX hybrid. I love working on old bikes, can’t wait for a quiet week at work and some nice weather to get stuck into these pair. Even at a bike jumble the Pletcher is £5. Roll on some more sunny weather . Well, it was sunny here today but felt like -1 and was snowing at times.
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Post by franco on Apr 6, 2021 20:45:53 GMT
Same here Jem. This afternoon
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Post by wheelson on Apr 7, 2021 13:14:22 GMT
I think Spring has finally arrived here in Western Pennsylvania USA. After some light snow and cold nights a week ago, now its hitting 75dF the last few days. Time to finish those Lambert and Viscount projects and start riding for sure!
Franco, nice finds (as usual!). I continue to be intrigued by these little bikes.
Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by franco on Apr 14, 2021 18:14:55 GMT
It’s took some work cleaning this one up, the evaporust didn’t touch the chrome parts but a brass wheel on the dremmel got them looking presentable. Removing the cotter pins on the crank broke my car ball joint puller! But some brute force got them out. Frame scrubbed with a Brillo pad then t-cut to bring some shine back, all the rust has been treated as well. Bearings cleaned and greased in the bottom of the forks and crank. F9B530AD-FC8F-411C-A113-C6E66AFD6836 by Franco_AC, on Flickr
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 14, 2021 21:23:58 GMT
The pink is really poppin' there Franco, good work!
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 15, 2021 0:32:36 GMT
The classic 20s seem rather expensive; at least out my way.
Jim
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Post by franco on Apr 15, 2021 7:39:36 GMT
They do Jim, perhaps due to a resurgence in niche popularity? When I check the The Raleigh Twenty Group on Facebook it is a busy page with newcomers appearing regularly.
Thanks Jem.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 15, 2021 9:47:00 GMT
Nothing says '70's more than a fluorescent paint job!
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Post by franco on Apr 15, 2021 16:50:43 GMT
Nothing says '70's more than a fluorescent paint job! The colour and decals ooze 1970’s don’t they. According to the hub it’s a 1978 model. The front wheel has defeated me today, quite badly buckled, got it a bit better then a spoke broke Ah well, you don’t win them all.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Apr 15, 2021 21:48:42 GMT
Nothing says '70's more than a fluorescent paint job! According to the hub it’s a 1978 model. I think if I could only have music from one single year of my life it would be 1978.
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Post by franco on Apr 15, 2021 22:12:58 GMT
It’s coming together, spent way too much time on the wheels today, swapped the front axle, polished the rims... I’d make no money as a bike mechanic. I will change that saddle as well. 522F040F-3991-43F5-A5D7-9E85A1243D8B by Franco_AC, on Flickr
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Post by wheelson on Apr 15, 2021 23:21:42 GMT
It’s coming together, spent way too much time on the wheels today, swapped the front axle, polished the rims... I’d make no money as a bike mechanic. I will change that saddle as well. 522F040F-3991-43F5-A5D7-9E85A1243D8B by Franco_AC, on Flickr Nice job as usual, Franco. Don’t worry, NOBODY makes much money as a bike mechanic! It’s nice, though, to be able to support this habit. Best, John “wheelson”
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Post by sprockit on Apr 18, 2021 20:41:11 GMT
This started out as a Raleigh Twenty - now stretched, modified, and perhaps the ultimate . . .
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 19, 2021 1:01:02 GMT
No derailleurs to worry about , either! My dad was a WWII-era US Navy pilot, single-prop Corsair fighters. On short runways they could attach a JATO (jet assisted take off) bottle to the plane for rocket propelled acceleration. One day a couple of pilots got the bright idea of attaching them to cars for drag racing. The cars accelerated and lifted off to about 100 feet altitude before crashing back to earth. As long as the Twenty "pilot" sticks to propane and rain gutters he'll probably be OK.
===== Edit: Hmm, this seems to be a myth. Good story anyway and I believe it was told to me in good faith.
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Apr 22, 2021 4:25:01 GMT
Corsairs, so very cool. In 1942-43, My dad was a flight engineer on PBYs in the South Pacific. Dad loved the Corsair; it could be easily identified as a friendly and it could tear up most anything that came after them.
Ride Safe.
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 22, 2021 12:14:13 GMT
My dad's fighter career literally came to a screeching halt in 1946. He left the regular Navy (somewhat voluntarily) and joined the Navy Air Reserve, flying P2V anti-submarine aircraft for the next 25 years. I'm glad he walked away from this. I was still at T minus eight years.
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Post by franco on Apr 22, 2021 19:41:37 GMT
Interesting posts! I’m close to completing the Twenty Folder, just brake cables and test run. It’s been a pain to do, I won’t lie but I’ve learnt plenty about these models doing it.
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 24, 2021 0:26:36 GMT
I guess reasonably priced Twenty folders do come up once in a while in the US. I am thinking about this one but it is a long drive. At the moment I am not motivated to add any more bikes or projects but if it lasts until Sunday I might spend the rainy day picking it up.
$50 USD, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 24, 2021 12:55:30 GMT
I said I would take the Raleigh Twenty. No reply, then the buyer increased the price to $125 and added a disclaimer that it needs work. I upped my offer to $75 but that's as far as I am going. Not interested in playing games.
Brian
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Post by franco on Apr 25, 2021 9:52:15 GMT
I said I would take the Raleigh Twenty. No reply, then the buyer increased the price to $125 and added a disclaimer that it needs work. I upped my offer to $75 but that's as far as I am going. Not interested in playing games. Brian How frustrating, gives you no confidence in the seller when they pull stunts like that. It’s bad enough when it’s local but to do a long drive to collect then possibly get messed around would put me off as well.
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 25, 2021 12:21:23 GMT
It turns out the seller is acting on behalf of an elderly neighbor and had received an immediate offer of $125 despite the listing price of $50. He emailed me the explanation. I heard from him later saying the buyer had backed out when he heard the bike needed work. He said I could buy it but I would have to offer at least $50. Well, I had already offered $75 so I reiterated that offer. To make the trip worthwhile, I was trying to coordinate with another seller in the area on another bike but never heard back from the Twenty seller, so forget it. Just as well since I am sick of working on bikes at the moment and would prefer to be out on the road. But no doubt as soon as my bike hangover clears I will be looking around for my next fix.
Brian
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Post by franco on Apr 25, 2021 14:32:32 GMT
Same Brian to be honest, I’ve done little riding and a lot of fixing. Once the folder is with my parents I’m going to make more effort to get out and ride more.
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Post by wheelson on Apr 25, 2021 15:04:21 GMT
Same Brian to be honest, I’ve done little riding and a lot of fixing. Once the folder is with my parents I’m going to make more effort to get out and ride more. Great points. My situation is even worse because of my bike shop gig and working on my own bike projects so riding comes in a distant third. Hopefully the weather will be better and I can actually ride the 10 mile round trip rail trail to the shop. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Best, John “w”
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 25, 2021 15:58:38 GMT
Same Brian to be honest, I’ve done little riding and a lot of fixing. Once the folder is with my parents I’m going to make more effort to get out and ride more. Great points. My situation is even worse because of my bike shop gig and working on my own bike projects so riding comes in a distant third. Hopefully the weather will be better and I can actually ride the 10 mile round trip rail trail to the shop. Not ideal, but better than nothing. Best, John “w” Sounds pretty good actually. Brian
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