Current Projects chat and miscellany

Apologies for delayed reply, been a bit busy - still too busy to clean the rear hub and check for sure on the date, but I'm sure it's not a 53 now - it has these Raleigh bolts which were only fitted in '69 according to Sheldon (photo not of my bike):

Plus a '53 would be black and wouldn't have the new logo on the chain guard. Here is a '69 - different colour to mine but logos match and it has the gold bands too.

I thought the saddle was brown, but having been rehydrated it turns out to be black! Which would suggest original saddle (Sheldon says Black B-72 is OE) unless there was another reason you thought it was the second saddle?

The rubber bullet grips are original, although I think cork/leather might look nicer. We'll see. The tyres are original Dunlops, may need replacing though, not sure yet. Source for NOS Dunlop White Sprites anyone?!

You're very welcome mate. I knew Vaidas was on to a winner with that bike. My guess about the saddle, is that its the second saddle on that bike. The bike I'm pretty sure tallies up with the paperwork, so is from 1953, but the later saddle could just have been a replacement due to wear-and-tear.

I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job on the restoration to its former glory. Some cork grips, or leather handlebar tape, would be an improvement over the rubber grips; Oh yes, and some gumwall tyres, or new black ones would sort you out. I didn't check if the gearing was still ok. After so long, it might need some TLC also. Still, great buy though.