Early 1950s Raleigh Clubman.

[Theodore Schefelbein]

I have been deep in internet sleuthing on a parted frame the was procured from our own Shirt tail Emeritus, who suggested I needed a worthy project and had several he hadn’t gotten to. I liked the idea of an early 531 frame bije, but, not to the tune (cost) of an actual RRA. If you have read this far, you likely understand what an RRA represents and why a cheapskate like me would balk at that.

The bike is an early 1950s Clubman, based on the very high P last  digit serial, 22” frame, and chromed fork tips and stays, and the brazed mount for the pulley wheel.. There were just a few bare frames sold in 1952, but, most of them didn’t have the chrome on the frame. The bike would have been blue, when it was new. Someone, painted it black, and in a bit of spoofery, put RRA transfers on it. Oh well.

The paint will clean up beautifully, so, I’ll color sand the RRA transfers off and apply proper Clubman transfers. I have perused used parts, and decided against trying to track down every, single, original part. It would have had 27” wheels, and 32 and 40 hole versions seem tough to score. I have new, 26” Sun rims on hand in those drillings. I’m a believer in building wheels with new rims.John very kindly supplied a clip stem and the proper pulley wheel mount, saving me a decade or so of hunting.

Jon Hanson has been generous with his time, and, warehouse, per usual. Thanks.

Progress will be noted, as it takes place.

Ted

[Theodore Schefelbein]

Photo of project. Sharp eyed folks will note the homeless Phil Woods lock rings already installed in the BB. I have the Shimano BB spindle that will allow for that spiffy Stronglight crankset to be installed.

Ted

[MarkSaltLake]

Looks like a great project.  As you probably know H Lloyd Cycles in the UK sells a full Clubman decal set

[Theodore Schefelbein]

I used the H Lloyd transfers on my International, and bought a new Raleigh fender Heron for the Sprite I cleaned up recently. Thanks.

Digging through my possibles box, I discovered the rear hub that will be on board. It is a 4 speed alloy FM with English market spec wing nuts. I don’t believe I will used the dynohub, even though it is a 32 hole hub and matches my Sun 26” front rim. I know many a Clubman had a dynohub on board, but, I’m thinking a 50s vintage high flange English alloy track hub will suit the bike better. I’ll try to use alloy bits, even if some of them are modern, where possible.

More thinking. I’m sad the bike got parted, but, the frame becomes a bit of a blank canvas after that. I can well imagine a young, ambitious Club rider, wearing out or breaking bits on his pride and joy, and upgrading and replacing parts, perhaps even respraying his bike to a color he preferred. The cars guys call efforts to preserve that a “day 2” restoration, leaving the modifications as they were.

Kinda’ where I am.

Ted

[MarkSaltLake]

I have a 40 hole alloy 27" inch Rigida rim (nos but a touch shopworn) i would give you free for just the cost of shipping. I also have another 40hole alloy no name 27". I also have a serviceable 32 hole Dunlop special lightweight i would give you for cost of shipping (has a very slight ding looks quite nice). The Dunlop and the Rigida rim profiles look compatible-ish from a few feet away if you are willing to mismatch (The Rigida is schrader, the dunlop is not it is presta/woods). I also have an unserviceable IMO 40 hole dunlop special lightweight iwould give you as above (if you are feeling super handy and could engineer out a subtantial tweek maybe the rim could work). Let me know if you are interested in any of the above. Another option (which i did on my 51 clubman) is to seek out and buy the lone brand new option out there of 700c with 40/32 these are kinlin (taiwan) adhn i think. despite being from taiwan, seems like the only way to get them is from an ebay uk seller! That's what i did for my clubman and shipping was high (and now there is a tariff on top of that) ....kinlins might be affordable if u could find a USA seller. Bear in mind shipping is high these days even in USA--i would use bikeflights which seems to be a bit cheaper.

Mark

[Theodore Schefelbein]

Let me know what you will need to pack them up and ship them. A magnanimous gesture, on your part, and, I’m not sure I’ve ever met you, Mark. Email me at:

te...@usfamily.net for details.

Thanks in advance,

Ted

[MarkSaltLake]

Hi Ted, not sure about the missing part in email....try me instead at mahark two (the two is actually the number not the spelling and is connected to that first part then at gmail dot com)

[Theodore Schefelbein]

The Kinlin.630 rims appear to be available on eBay, I ordered a 32 and a 40 hole, from a bloke in England, guess we will see what happens. He has been making sporadic shipments to the US, and, while the price is up just a bit, he can make it happen.

My preference, if I am to build a wheel or two, is to new rims and spokes. Nice to get the Clubman back up on the original size wheels, which, unbeknownst to me, are getting to be hard to find, on this side of the pond, anyway. I literally bought Sun Ringle CR-18 rims in the 630 size, with 36 and 40 drilling two years ago, and it is as if they never existed at this point in time.

Ted

[Theodore Schefelbein]

A little progress. Found a period BH Racelite 32 hole front hub, the rims are on their way from England. Cross three on a 32 spoke build, right? Should be a smashing pair when all laced up in new rims with a period FM alloy hub.

Ted