1955 Raleigh Lenton Sports Reg Harris Road Model

1955 Raleigh Lenton Sports Reg Harris Road Model

This 1955 Lenton Sports has been in storage for the past 12 years.

1955lenton_02

And that’s why it’s in such good original cosmetic condition.

1955lenton_03

The paintwork is about as good as you can expect for a 54-year-0ld bike.

1955lenton_04

And even the mudguards are still in one piece – plastic mudguards do not rust like their metal counterparts, but are obviously not as robust.

1952lenton1

*********************

‘Follow my example and ride a Lenton’

The popular, well-tried Lenton Sports has proved its worth during the past years and today we know it to be the undoubted thoroughbred of its class. The name has come to be associated with all that is best in cycling, thanks to an outstanding specification combined with the high standard of Design, Quality and Finish so well known to Raleigh Dealers and their customers. This machine represents exceptional value for money.

–Reg Harris

In production for longer than any of the other Raleigh “club ” bikes (1949-1963) and indelibly associated with the immortal Reg Harris, Britain’s greatest cycle champion of the era and Raleigh spokesman, the Lenton Sports was indeed “the undoubted thoroughbred of its class.” More than that, it represented the last great era of traditional British club cycling.

…..Big changes for the Lenton Sports came in 1955. The frame was reworked with thin taper backstays and tighter geometry (head 73° and seat 71°). The lamp bracket was switched from the stem to the right-hand fork and hooded brake levers fitted. The improved model was sold as the Reg Harris Road Model in honour of the great British sprint champion who uses a Lenton Sports for his road training and each featured a torch motif transfer with Reg’s signature on the seat tube. The price, including FW gear, was £19 10d.

– ‘The Raleigh Lentons’ by Peter C. Kohler

*********************

1955lenton_051