Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Dealer Edition Restoration

This is Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports restoration/preservation.  The chrome Raleigh Sports where only given to top Raleigh Dealers in England and the east coast.  They where for display purposes only and not for sale.  No serial numbers where even on the chrome sports.  They are pretty rare, I have only seen on in photos, they where given out in only two years, Joel's is a 1966.  Joel knows even more about the chrome Sports than I do.

I was very excited to restore the Sports, its a Sports but one I have never worked on.  The Sports is in pretty good starting shape.  It has a lot of issues from just sitting.  I find sitting issues to be worse than issues from use.  Sitting issues the bike never moves and just keeps getting beat by the same moisture or sun in the same spots.

The Sports will get a complete restoration/preservation.  I am going to try to keep the original cables as they are the pear end cables and they look in descent shape.  I didn't really think the rear wheel hub would take much work but it turned out to need a complete rebuild, the old oil in the hub probably baked in the sun hanging in a window and was completely hardened. The hub would not shift, the pin would not slide in and out and the wheel would hardly spin.       

I can't wait to test ride the Sports and see the results.  Most of you out there already know how much I love 3 speed bicycles.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Handlebars

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Fender

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Saddle

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Drive Train

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Guard

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Fender

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Reflector

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Rear Rim

The crank cotter pins where stuck solid.  I have a in press, I have other tricks of removing pins, I have drilled out 100's of pins and they are just a pain.  It might me the beginnings of mechanics arthritic hands that also have been making pins harder than they once where for me.  I know use a air hammer with a chisel in it.  I have domed the end of the chisel to fit over the end on the pin.  It works wonderful and super quick.  About a second long pull of the trigger and the pin flys out.  The pins are not damaged either although these pins where not usable because of rust.   

  

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Works Fantastic Removing Tuff Crank Pins

With the Sports broken down to the frame it I can see some rough spots here and there, mainly just from sitting.  Overall the frame is in nice starting shape.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Out

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Drop Outs

The frame polished beautifully, the rough spots cleaned up pretty nicely.  The decals are in fantastic shape.  The frame polished so nice that it made taking photos difficult from the glare.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blades

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Drop Outs

The headset grease was dry and hard, the bottom bracket grease was better then I was expecting.  The pieces had some time in the crock pot for cleaning and then a little time on the polishing wheels.  Installed the headset and bottom bracket look great and spin great with new grease.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Pressing Headset Cups

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Headset Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Headset Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Headset Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Headset Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Complete

The stem and handlebars and some light rust and grime.  Cleaned and polished the stem and handlebars look brand new.  I did not even remove the handlebars from the stem because the stem bolt probably never had a wrench to it before and I did not want to scratch or mare it.  The brake levers where quite dirty but also polished beautifully.  I soaked the handlebar grips and they turned out fantastic for the age.  Over all the handlebars, cockpit and stem are in spectacular condition.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Handlebars & Stem

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Grips Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Shift Lever Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Pear Shaped Cables

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Handlebars Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Handlebars Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Stem Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Stem & Handlebars Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Complete

While some of the components where soaking I worked on the wheels.  The wheel rims had a few small rough spots but over all a good starting point.  I rebuilt the rear hub, I should have taken photos but I concentrate so hard on not loosing paw pins or paw pin springs is I forgot the photos.  The rear wheel sins ans shift like it was the first time it shifted.  I don't know if these are the original tires but they are in fantastic condition.  No cracking or dry rott.  I am super happy with the results of the wheels.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Wheel Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Old Grease

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Wheel Axle
Ready

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Rear Wheel Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Rear Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Rear Wheel Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Wheels Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Crank Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Crank Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Levers Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Levers Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Grips Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Shift Lever Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Levers
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Shift Lever Ready

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Grips Ready

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Grips Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brackets Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brackets Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Cable Guides Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Shift Cable Guide

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard Guide

The is amazing.  Probably only sat on a few times and not dried out to much or hardened.  I treated the saddle a few times and installed it.  It is just amazing, I love this stuff!

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Saddle Treated

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Saddle Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Saddle Installed

I have probably restored 500 sets of these Raleigh brake calipers.  No matter how careful I am I also seem to get a blood blister from the springs, these where no exception!  The calipers polished look amazing.  Installed the calipers with all the chrome are stunning.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Calipers
Exploded

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Calipers
Polished

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Brake Calipers
Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Brake Caliper Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Crank Installed

I never see Raleigh Block pedals in this good of condition.  I good cleaning and lubricating and the pedals spin tight and smooth.  Sometime polishing and they look just as nice as they spin.

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Pedals Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Pedals After

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Pedals Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Installed

The fenders ans chain guard are in great condition on the outside.  On the inner side they had a lot of rust.  I cleaned the inside surfaces the best I could and polished everything.  Installed the fenders are amazing !! I love this stuff!

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Chain Guard
Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Fender Before

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Cables Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Front Fender Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Fender Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Front Fender Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Fenders Complete

Joel got a copper bell for the Sports, a perfect choice!  I think a little time and tarnish on the bell and it will be even better!

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
New Copper Bell - Perfect

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration
Bell Installed

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete

I have restored a lot of Sports, and have many many miles on Sports, even restored and every mechanical part of a Sports working perfectly they don't have the feel of this Sports when shifting and riding.  I don't think there are more than a mile or 2 of riding on this Sports, that is an amazing feel when you ride it!  Amazing!!

The Sports looks even better!  It is a challenge to take photos of it in the sun.  I am very glad the Sports came through the shop!!

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Fork Blade

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Fender

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Chain Guard

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Crank

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Bottom Bracket

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Brake Caliper

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Rim

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Fender

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Saddle

Joel's Chrome Raleigh Sports Restoration - Bicycle Complete

Thank you! 

JOhn Z.