Raleighs Page

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The cylindrical part had two viewing holes to facilitate visual checking of the cable adjustment. Some time in the 's, they changed to a two-piece system, with a plain hex nut the same as on the left side and a separate cylindrical nut, knurled on the outer end. Sometime in the 's, they went back to the one-piece design. These hubs used a special left nut that resembled the conventional right nut, but which lacked the rounded interior lip for the chain.

These nuts were designed to protect the left end of the two-piece indicator spindle, and to allow visual adjustment by observing the position of the left end of the spindle against the end of the axle. A common cause of malfunction of these hubs is that people get the left and right nuts reversed, so the indicator chain hangs up on the sharp edge of the nut that belongs on the left. Older Raleighs, those with forged front drop outs, used a special axle nut with a narrow rounded section toward the hub. This rounded section fit through the axle washer, and into a recess of the forged drop out, to provide positive front wheel retention.

Later Raleighs used conventional nuts, and provided a shoulder on the outer face of the cone for wheel retention. The stamped dropouts had a keyhole shaped axle opening, and the shoulder on the cone fit into the round part of the opening. Some years used plain hex nuts with separate flat washers, other years used track nuts , domed and decorated with a red "R" on the end. Older Sturmey-Archer hubs used beautifully made forged serrated washers between the axle nut and the fork end.

These older washers are easily identified by the knurled edges. These were used in conjunction with separate, stamped anti-rotation washers, which should go on the inside of the fork end. Sturmey-Archer's term for the clamp-on cable housing stop usually mounted on the top tube was "fulcrum. This was a sort of ferrule, with a flange on one end to keep it from sliding through the fulcrum clamp.

It was slotted to facilitate cable installation, and had a flat side which rested against the frame tube. Earlier fulcrum sleeves were metal, later versions are plastic. This was one of the first Sturmey-Archer parts where plastic replaced metal. The metal ones last forever, but the plastic ones are easily crushed and ruined. Until fairly recently, all Sturmey-Archer hubs were designed for oil lubrication. An oil cap, or, in Sturmey-Archer terminology, a "lubricator" was set into the hub shell.

The actual cap assembly screwed into a threaded hole in the shell. Earlier versions uses a hinged metal cap, but this was replaced in the late '50s or '60s by a plastic cap with a captive plug. This was one case where the plastic part was an improvement over the metal one, because they made a better seal, preventing the oil from dripping out. It may also be possible to date your bicycle from its frame number which on early models is usually located underneath the seat lug, under the saddle. This only applies to a genuine Raleigh, not to other makes.

The list below will help with dating your Raleigh bicycle from the frame numbers, but is not a definitive list, it simply notes occasional frame numbers that coincide with certain years of manufacture. It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age. Prior to , genuine Raleighs not necessarily brand names made by Raleigh had a straightforward numerical frame number.

Early years have been estimated by the Company. After the war, Raleigh began adding letters after the running number series which restarted when a new letter was used. A new numbering system was introduced in , though this ran concurrently with the old one for two years.

The new system involved a second running letter, added to the first, which began at the start of the alphabet. The material above was gathered from the Nottinghamshire Archives by Jim Burton. Accessories Bicycles Parts Specials Tools. For many years, in many parts of the world, the Raleigh "Sports" three-speed bicycle was considered the ultimate in human-powered transportation. These bicycles were not toys, and, despite the model name, they were not sporting equipment The men and women who built them, by and large, also rode them, as their primary means of transportation. Contemporary bicycles have many parts made of aluminum or "aluminium," if you prefer for lightness, strength and corrosion resistance.

Contemporary bicycles that have steel rims, or cranks, or handlebars, or brakes do so as a way of cutting corners and saving a little bit of money, for a low-end bicycle. Modern steel rims, cranks, etc are of low quality, because they are aimed at the cheapest possible price point.

When a modern company sets out to build a bicycle, what they really build is the frame if that. They buy sets of tubing from a tubing company, cut and weld them together into a frame, paint it and install parts which they buy different specialized parts companies. Actually, many well-known brands don't even do that; they order bicycle frames to be built to their specifications, with their name painted on, and equipped with parts from a variety of vendors.

These companies are actually trading companies, even though their image is that of a manufacturer. If your bicycle has a Sturmey-Archer hub cs , it should have on the hub a date of manufacture, which would normally also be the cycle's date of manufacture. In the s, they only used a single digit, i. The tables below are being compiled by examining bicycles that come in for service, and appear to be in original condition.

It is possible that some of the equipment listed is anachronistic, but I believe this information is good. Installing a plastic lubricator into a hub can be quite tricky if you don't have the special tool. The special tool is a dull pencil, poked into the open lubricator. This will let you turn the lubricator to get it started into the threads.

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I do not vouch for the accuracy of this information. Do not write or phone me to ask the age or value of an old Raleigh. All of the information I have on that is on this Web page or sheldonbrown. Between and the cessation of cycle production during the Second World War, letters prefixed or suffixed the running frame number although no indication is given of the starting point of the numbers. They seem to reflect only the number of machines produced whilst each letter was in use. All dating would therefore be approximate. May 15, This was definitely a war-time bike.

The handlebar, cranks, brake levers, fork crown and cable hardware were painted black, not chrome plated chromium was a strategic material, not available for civilian use.

The Raleigh Factory

Stem and brake calipers were chromed. This bicycle has Endrick rims. The lamp bracket attaches to the handlebar binder bolt, rather than to the headset. Threaded oiler on bottom bracket shell. Made in England italic script Down Tube: Lamp bracket on stem binder bolt. Black hex-head fender bolts. Black painted aluminium pump. Although this bike is a sports model, it certainly seems deluxe with the B66 saddle, gearcase, Dynohub with front and rear lights, AND a Raleigh Industries kickstand!

Sturmey Archer SW hub with date "57 2" and metal oiler, bottom bracket [metal] oiler right side, Brooks B66 saddle, front Dynohub. Cotter nuts have red "R". No bottom bracket oiler. Old-style type on down tube, new-style on chainguard. Front axle nuts and cotter nuts have red "R". Small logo on down tube; gold tape on seat tube. Shiny rims; Rear fender has 4 stays; red "R" nuts on cotters. Chainguard encircles chainring, bolted to tapped hole under bottom bracket. Frame features "Pletscher"-type plate bridges, but otherwise is a dead ringer for Nottingham production, including label.

In or , Raleigh returned to England. Between and , Raleigh took part in the suppression of the Desmond Rebellions. He was present at the Siege of Smerwick , where he led the party that beheaded some Spanish and Italian soldiers. This made him one of the principal landowners in Munster , but he had limited success inducing English tenants to settle on his estates. Raleigh made the town of Youghal his occasional home during his 17 years as an Irish landlord, frequently being domiciled at Killua Castle , Clonmellon , County Westmeath.

He was mayor there from to His town mansion of Myrtle Grove is assumed to be the setting for the story that his servant doused him with a bucket of water after seeing clouds of smoke coming from Raleigh's pipe, in the belief that he had been set alight.

But this story is also told of other places associated with Raleigh: Amongst Raleigh's acquaintances in Munster was another Englishman who had been granted land there, poet Edmund Spenser. In the s, he and Raleigh travelled together from Ireland to the court at London, where Spenser presented part of his allegorical poem The Faerie Queene to Elizabeth I. Raleigh's management of his Irish estates ran into difficulties which contributed to a decline in his fortunes.

In , Queen Elizabeth granted Raleigh a royal charter authorising him to explore, colonise and rule any "remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries and territories, not actually possessed of any Christian Prince or inhabited by Christian People," in return for one-fifth of all the gold and silver that might be mined there. Raleigh and Elizabeth intended that the venture should provide riches from the New World and a base from which to send privateers on raids against the treasure fleets of Spain.

Raleigh himself never visited North America, although he led expeditions in and to the Orinoco River basin in South America in search of the golden city of El Dorado. Instead, he sent others to found the Roanoke Colony , later known as the "Lost Colony". These expeditions were funded primarily by Raleigh and his friends but never provided the steady stream of revenue necessary to maintain a colony in America.

Subsequent colonisation attempts in the early 17th century were made under the joint-stock Virginia Company , which was able to raise the capital necessary to create successful colonies. In , Raleigh attempted a second expedition, again establishing a settlement on Roanoke Island. This time, a more diverse group of settlers was sent, including some entire families, [16] under the governance of John White. Unfortunately for the colonists at Roanoke, one year became three.

The first delay came when Queen Elizabeth I ordered all vessels to remain at port for potential use against the Spanish Armada. After England's victory over the Spanish Armada, the ships were given permission to sail. The second delay came after White's small fleet set sail for Roanoke and his crew insisted on sailing first towards Cuba in hopes of capturing treasure-laden Spanish merchant ships.

Enormous riches described by their pilot, an experienced Portuguese navigator hired by Raleigh, outweighed White's objections to the delay. When the supply ship arrived in Roanoke, three years later than planned, the colonists had disappeared. White had arranged with the settlers that if they should move, the name of their destination be carved into a tree or corner post. This suggested the possibilities that they had moved to Croatoan Island , but a hurricane prevented John White from investigating the island for survivors.

No further attempts at contact were recorded for some years. Whatever the fate of the settlers, the settlement is now remembered as the "Lost Colony of Roanoke Island". In December , Raleigh returned to England from Ireland as his company had been disbanded.

Living the Gospel by Loving the Fatherless.

He took part in court life and became a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I because of his efforts at increasing the Protestant Church in Ireland. He sat in parliament as member for Devonshire in and Raleigh commissioned shipbuilder R. Chapman of Deptford to build a ship for him. It was originally called Ark but became Ark Raleigh , following the convention at the time by which the ship bore the name of its owner. As a result, the ship was renamed Ark Royal.

He was appointed Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard. However, he had not been given any of the great offices of state. In the Armada year of , Raleigh had some involvement with defence against the Spanish at Devon.

She was one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting , 11 years his junior, and was pregnant at the time. She gave birth to a son, believed to be named Damerei, who was given to a wet nurse at Durham House, but he died in October of plague. Bess resumed her duties to the queen. The following year, the unauthorised marriage was discovered and the Queen ordered Raleigh to be imprisoned and Bess dismissed from court. Both were imprisoned in the Tower of London in June He was released from prison in August to manage a recently returned expedition and attack on the Spanish coast.

The fleet was recalled by the Queen, but not before it captured an incredibly rich prize — a merchant ship carrack named Madre de Deus Mother of God off Flores.

Walter Raleigh

Raleigh was sent to organise and divide the spoils of the ship. He was sent back to the Tower, but by early had been released and become a member of Parliament. It was several years before Raleigh returned to favour, and he travelled extensively in this time.

Raleigh and his wife remained devoted to each other. They had two more sons, Walter known as Wat and Carew. Raleigh was elected a burgess of Mitchell , Cornwall, in the parliament of Since extended, it is now known as Sherborne new Castle. During this period at a dinner party at Horsey's, Raleigh had a heated discussion about religion with Reverend Ralph Ironsides. The argument later gave rise to charges of atheism against Raleigh, though the charges were dismissed.

He was elected to Parliament, speaking on religious and naval matters. A year later, he explored what is now Guyana and eastern Venezuela in search of Lake Parime and Manoa, the legendary city. Once back in England, he published The Discovery of Guiana [27] , an account of his voyage which made exaggerated claims as to what had been discovered. The book can be seen as a contribution to the El Dorado legend. Venezuela has gold deposits, but no evidence indicates that Raleigh found any mines. He is sometimes said to have discovered Angel Falls , but these claims are considered far-fetched.

In , Raleigh took part in the Capture of Cadiz , where he was wounded. He also served as the rear admiral a principal command of the Islands Voyage to the Azores in The Armada was dispersed by a storm, but Lord Howard of Effingham and Raleigh were able to organise a fleet that resulted in the capture of a Spanish ship in retreat carrying vital information regarding the Spanish plans.

In Raleigh was chosen member of parliament for Dorset , and in for Cornwall. From to , as governor of the Channel Island of Jersey , Raleigh modernised its defences. Royal favour with Queen Elizabeth had been restored by this time, but his good fortune did not last; the Queen died on 24 March Raleigh was arrested on 19 July , charged with treason for his involvement in the Main Plot against Elizabeth's successor, James I , and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Raleigh conducted his own defence. The chief evidence against him was the signed and sworn confession of his friend Henry Brooke, 11th Baron Cobham.

Raleigh repeatedly requested that Cobham be called to testify. Were the case but for a small copyhold , you would have witnesses or good proof to lead the jury to a verdict; and I am here for my life! He remained imprisoned in the Tower until While there, he wrote many treatises and the first volume of The Historie of the World first edition published [34] about the ancient history of Greece and Rome.

His son, Carew, was conceived and born while Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower. In , Raleigh was pardoned by the King and granted permission to conduct a second expedition to Venezuela in search of El Dorado. A condition of Raleigh's pardon was avoidance of any hostility against Spanish colonies or shipping. In the initial attack on the settlement, Raleigh's son, Walter, was fatally shot.

Keymis informed Raleigh of his son's death and begged for forgiveness, but did not receive it, and at once committed suicide. On Raleigh's return to England, an outraged Count Gondomar , the Spanish ambassador, demanded that Raleigh's death sentence be reinstated by King James, who had little choice but to do so. Raleigh was brought to London from Plymouth by Sir Lewis Stukeley , where he passed up numerous opportunities to make an effective escape.

I would not have my enemies think I quaked from fear. Thomas Hariot may have introduced him to tobacco. Engraved upon the pouch was a Latin inscription: Comes meus fuit in illo miserrimo tempore "It was my companion at that most miserable time". Raleigh's head was embalmed and presented to his wife. His body was to be buried in the local church in Beddington , Surrey , the home of Lady Raleigh, but was finally laid to rest in St.

Margaret's, Westminster , where his tomb may still be visited today. God hold me in my wits. Although Raleigh's popularity had waned considerably since his Elizabethan heyday, his execution was seen by many, both at the time and since, as unnecessary and unjust, as for many years his involvement in the Main Plot seemed to have been limited to a meeting with Lord Cobham.

He wrote not about England, but of the ancient world with a heavy emphasis on geography. Despite his intention of providing current advice to the King of England, King James I complained that it was "too sawcie in censuring Princes. Raleigh's poetry is written in the relatively straightforward, unornamented mode known as the plain style.

Lewis considered Raleigh one of the era's "silver poets", a group of writers who resisted the Italian Renaissance influence of dense classical reference and elaborate poetic devices. His writing contains strong personal treatments of themes such as love, loss, beauty, and time. Most of his poems are short lyrics that were inspired by actual events. In poems such as What is Our Life and The Lie , Raleigh expresses a contemptus mundi contempt of the world attitude more characteristic of the Middle Ages than of the dawning era of humanistic optimism.

But his lesser-known long poem The Ocean's Love to Cynthia combines this vein with the more elaborate conceits associated with his contemporaries Edmund Spenser and John Donne , expressing a melancholy sense of history. The poem was written during his imprisonment in the Tower of London. Both were written in the style of traditional pastoral poetry and follow the structure of six four-line stanzas employing a rhyme scheme of AABB , with Raleigh's an almost line-for-line refutation of Marlowe's sentiments.

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