Help to identify a Raleigh please

[SW99]

Thank you for your replies to my plea to help identify my grandmas bike. Just to clarify though - the bike was originally black, it was painted pink, badly, in the 90's. I will look for the date stamp, which may help to identify the model. I am having to downsize so sadly it needs to go, I have a lovely memory of being told her father removed the saddle to stop her roaming the countryside for hours on it, so she used a cushion instead! I don't intend selling it, just hope to find a charity that may benefit. Thank you.

[rjb]

In the absence of any more information, post some pictures of it and some members on this forum may be able to advise you.

[JohnW]

Raleigh did a lady's bike called 'Pink Witch'.
I'd guess 1960s - I recall it - there was a 'Blue Streak' man's 10 speed bike at the same period.
Early 1960s, I had a Carlton Clubman.
I'm not sure from the picture - no transfers.

[rjb]

The rear hub will have its date of manufacture stamped into the centre barrel. A 4 digit number indicating month and year.

[djnotts]

If attempting to put a value/price on it then, whatever its ID, almost certainly not "worth" more than 50 quid.

[thirdcrank]

The Pink Witch was branded Triumph and I don't think they were all-pink, although I don't know if they were all pink-and-blue like this one. I do know they were not all exactly like this one because the first one I saw had deraileur gears: the rider had unsuccessfully tried to change gear back-pedalling

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PS If you are trying to sell it, I think that that Pink Witch advert may hint at why girls may not want a girls' bike anymore. Your target market is older people looking for a bike they can easily mount. The description then is "open frame" but it would probably need to be in sound working order. Sourcing any new parts might be a problem.

[steve.y.griffith]

Certainly not a pink witch if it was originally black .Judging by the wingnuts in the front and the leather saddle a better than a average model probably but hub will have a date.
Bike charity is the best place no real value I am afraid .

[Carlton green]

The top of the front forks tells us that it’s a Raleigh though it might have had a sister brand on it.

The hubs / wheels might or might not be original, the date in the rear hub is a guide, I guess that we’re looking at a bike that’s from the 1940’s or 50’s. My suspicion is that the handle bars and stem aren’t original, I quite like the pattern and suspect that swept back gave a more comfy ride.

Whatever, I’d have thought that the bike would have little value beyond Utility. Someone might be glad to use it as it is; it might suit a young woman for getting to college lectures or work, or an older person wanting an open frame. If it were mine then I’d change the colour to something neutral - don’t do a pristine job - and use it for around Town ... in general a three speed Ladies bike isn’t worth nicking so it’s virtually always likely to remain where you left it. The brakes will work better with special fibrex blocks - there are threads on which one - and modern cables + outers.

A few bike charities would take this and sell it on to someone needing a cheap pair of wheels.

[SW99]

Hi

Thank you, the number 57 is on the rear hub so I'm assuming that is referring to 1957.

If one can suggest a charity I can contact, preferably in the north of England, I'd be grateful.

[Carlton green]

Hi

Thank you, the number 57 is on the rear hub so I'm assuming that is referring to 1957.

If one can suggest a charity I can contact, preferably in the north of England, I'd be grateful.

IIRC the hubs are stamped with year and month, 57 would be 1957. Having dated the bike this way it might be possible to look at some late 1950’s Raleigh sales literature on-line to see what looks similar - I’ve search some out before today but now can’t say where I found it. Have a check on the tyre size too.

In the first instance I’d have thought somewhere like Bike Hive in Manchester would provide some helpful signposting towards a suitable local charity to give the bike to.
http://www.thebikehive.co.uk/about-us.html

Alternatively why not just list it on eBay ‘as per photographed’, for local collection, and if you wish then give the proceeds to some charity. So long as it’s not near given away whoever buys it might well do so with the intent of restoring it to working order and to (then) give someone the pleasure of riding it. Whilst to me it’s a gem worthy of rescue the restoration of an old three speed ladies bike might be too much of a job for some general bike charities.