Raleigh Twenty Folder - worth rescuing?

[bgnukem]

In the bike sheds at work there's an old Raleigh Twenty folding bike in a quite nice light metallic green colour. Looks very original, with matching white grips, white saddle, whitewall tyres and pump, Sturmey rear hub, bottle dynamo and rear rack. It's all in pretty good nick though the rear caliper brake seems to be seized.

It's been untouched and unmoved for months and I suspect will disappear over Christmas as there will be a security sweep to remove abandoned bikes and bike locks during the holiday.

This type of bike would be no use to me (I'm 6'5) but seems a shame for a rare survivor of the 1970s to be scrapped given it's good condition. I gather from other threads on here there are various technical issues with the 20 including headset bush, non-standard wheel/tyre size and bottom bracket shell width, etc. but would there be any point rescuing the bike or could anyone on here use such a machine? I'd say with a bit of light recomissioning and maybe a service it could be used as-is.

I'm based in Yeovil, Somerset.

Cheers,

Ben

[mmcnay]

I've got one. It's great for local journeys, in the city, and when cycling with my seven year old. (I can't go fast on it.)
I swapped the sprocket for a larger one, and it is much nicer to use.
The brakes aren't that good, but I don't go fast in it anyway. There's a really handy site https://raleightwenty.webs.com/apps/auth/?next=
with hints and tips.
The folding models are more sought after, so might be worth saving. They're definitely a good sturdy bike, and unattractive to thieves, so marvellous for leaving outside shops etc - and they are good mules for the shopping.
I did buy mine with the view to doing it up, replacing BB etc and going cotterless - but I can't be bothered. I just keep it oiled and it's trundeling on nicely.
I'll probably sell it to a student at some point.

[Cyril Haearn]

Definitely worth saving, but does it still belong to someone, can you just take it?

[pete75]

Look what Sheldon did with his definitely worth saving. Lots about them here https://www.sheldonbrown.com/raleigh-twenty.html

[tatanab]

Certainly worth saving. Not a 20 but a Kingpin, it is my round town hack.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=120037&p=1206387&hilit=kingpin#p1206387

[colin54]

Definitely worth saving, but does it still belong to someone, can you just take it?

Good question.

[rjb]

Stick a notice on it indicating if it is not collected within a set time scale it will be removed. Leave your contact details on the notice. You could then donate it to a bike recycling scheme. I know there is one in Taunton with a branch in Bridgwater.
http://on-your-bike.org
Speak to the grounds maintenance dept first.

[bgnukem]

Cheers for the replies.

Seems to have been abandoned but will stick a note on it requesting it isn't removed and then next year will put a note on asking if no longer required.

Too small for me but would be a shame for it to get scrapped if a charity would accept it.

Rare to see a bike suitably equipped (mudguards, rack, hub gear, chain guard, dynamo for utility riding these days!

[TooManyBikes]

I remember seeing a very original looking Raleigh 20 in pretty decent nick in a derelict former RAF building I was taking photos and nosing around in, and although of no real use to me, regret not saving it from being wrecked by chavs who tend to trash these derelict sites, apart from flat tyres and the chain being missing it looked to be in pretty good condition and ideal for passing on to someone short commutes or shop trips, narrowboat use etc.