28 December 2009

Gentleman's Bike

We're not spending much time outside these (cold) days, but I did see this handsome bike.

9 comments:

cycler said...

Lovely.
Did you get any closer shots? I can see it has a wheel dynamo and rod brakes, but the fence is in the way and I can't tell how they're attached. I was trying to figure out how to put a generator on my DL-1 and not getting very far....

Charlotte said...

I did not get anything in focus up closer. Maybe someone else has ideas though?

Scott M. said...

Ha! I think I may be able to help you as that is me and my bike.

The generator just bolts on to the fork. Unfortunately the generator is broken and needs to be replaced.

Velouria said...

Nice Phillips!

cycler - "somervillain" has generators installed on several of his bikes of this type; he's the expert.

somervillain said...

looks like a mid-late 70s raleigh DL1 with a replacement phillips chain guard and some replacement rear reflector. the bottle generator appears to be a generic clamp-on unit, as does the lamp.

cycler, any generic clamp-on bottle generator should work okay on a DL1. just bear in mind that the clamp will leave permanent bite marks on the fork.

personally, i don't think generator lights are worth the cost or effort unless you're using high-efficiency LED lights designed specifically for generators. for an inexpensive "set and forget" lighting system just to provide maintenance-free visibility to others, and which won't mar the paint, i'd suggest a set of reelights (http://www.reelight.com/). basically a magnet-driven LED system.

Scott M. said...

You're right about the year and the replacement parts, it's a '78.

If you know where I can get a real replacement for the chain guard please let me know.

somervillain said...

scott, i would suggest two sources for raleigh DL1 chain guards: menotomy bicycles in the cambridge antiques mart (oldroads.com), or ebay. you should be able to pick one up for $20 or so.

Giffen said...

Scott M.,

http://www.yellowjersey.org/eastbits.html

About 3/4 of the way down the page, there is a link to pictures of their chain guards.

Not sure if those count as real, but they should fit, and several people, including Filigree from Lovely Bicycle, have had luck with them.

She Rides a Bike said...

That is indeed a very distinquished bike. Scott M., you are obviously a man with intelligence and good taste.