The Raleigh - Lenton Sports(man)? Bike

[copperbeech5]

Hi,

I hope I am OK to put this query here, I want it to find the Nottingham experts!

I have an old photograph of my Dad standing very proudly with his new (infact- Pre production) Raleigh Lenton Sports(man) bike ( he started his working life in the drawing office of the Raleigh.) 

I am not sure of the date of the photo, I would guess about 1950 but I would love to know when this bike first became part of Raleigh's repertoire, and if anyone can tell me any other info about it? I know that Reg Harris was also a visitor to the office - does that ring any bells with anyone?

I am also curious to know what bikes models came next - the sequence if  anyone knows.  I believe that there was one called the Raleigh Record Ace?

Any information would be much appreciated

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[skewbald]

Hi Copperbeech5

I can confirm Reg Harris was a racing cyclist and had links to Nottingham.
Sorry I can't help with the rest, other than Radio Nottingham did an article on Raleigh design and development department, that was not part of the main factory.
Maybe getting in touch with radio Nottingham may help, as a lot of the old team seemed to still be around.

This site is interesting if you've not seen it before.

http://www.hadland.me.uk/raleigh.htm

Skewy.

[copperbeech5]

Hi Skewy,

Thanks so much for your reply!

I haven't seen the site you posted, so I shall enjoy reading through that.  I guess it is a list of models that would be useful too.

Glad you confirm Reg Harris's connection. Good idea about contacting Radio Nottingham, I shall do that!

Many thanks,
Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[skewbald]

Hi Copperbeech5, I've re-read the article and it was the Special Products Division that was featured on Radio Nottingham. Other than local interest it meant nothing to me, but lots of people involved phoned in, and it was in the last year, so hopefully still around.
If I'm right in my memory, the S.P.D. moved to worksop, taking over the place of a famous hand built bike. But can't remember what that was, unless it was the Carlton.

Skewy.

[gig]

hi
reg harris was a multiple world sprint champion ( on the track) the same as sir chris hoy today.
 reg rides a raleigh was one of the advertising slogans ,he rode in the 50s and 60s and i think he came out of retierment in his 40s to win the national sprint championships
raleigh took over calton cycles in the mid 1980s i have a carlton built in 1984 and was one of the last built at worksop.
the  raleigh record ace mentioned were the record which was black with gold trim made from either 501 steel tubing or more likley 531 tubing and the road ace which was white yellow and i think bits of red the road ace was a top line bike made from either 653 or 753 steel tubinf (the higher the number the thinner the steel/and lighter the road ace was ridden by the french system u team from about 1986/7 to 1989 there main rider as laurent fignon who lost the 1989 tour de france by 8 seconds
in the late 80s raleigh also made the bananna which was a popular bike in the day 
hope some of this is of interest
gig

[copperbeech5]

Hi Skewy,

Thanks very much for your work on my behalf, much appreciated, and I will see what I can find no you have pointed me in the right direstion.!

Hi Gig,

Blimey, you sound like you know your stuff too!  For me because of the photo I have I guess the earlier bikes are what I am more curious about, and you info is very helpful. Thank you!

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[aghadowey]

I bought an old Raleigh a few years ago and was able to find lots online- old catalogues, etc.

Perhaps some of these links will help you- this one mentions a 1946 model-
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-468420.html

http://v-ccnewengland.blogspot.com/2006/07/1950s-raleigh-lenton-sports.html
http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1955-raleigh-lenton-sports-reg-harris-road-model/
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15169953
http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1951-raleigh-catalogue/

[copperbeech5]

Hi aghadowey,

Blimey, thanks for all the links.... well, that is my day sorted for tomorrow!!

Much appreciated,

Best wishes,
Copperbeech5

[Raymond White]

I have a Raleigh lenton sport's reg Harris bike and worked 27 years at the 50 60 and 70s l saw reg Harris many times as l also worked in the design what do you want to know my email is ^(*) l will help if l can 

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