1935 Raleigh Sports Tourist - Vintage Bicycle "Oily Rag" Restoration

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In this video: A couple of months ago I was entrusted with two very special bikes. While the Sun Supalite is getting a full restoration - I felt this Raleigh was more suited to a preservation. This was filmed over a few weeks (working on the weekends) with hours of cleaning cut down in to this video. I hope you enjoy.

[@waltbellamy9739]

i suer miss your old show i love old bikes

[@jdsgotninelives]

A really sensitive and respectful restoration. A total transformation. Thanks and subbed. Really appreciate the respect you show for these old horses.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@MM33545]

I like that you only cleaned it real good and didn't repaint like a lot of people do, kept the character. Great job!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you! It looks much better in it's original paintwork :)

[@gubbins1933]

Quite mesmerizing. Tell us more about that brass bell. 10:17 That chime would certainly clear the way. Also, nice to see cats take an active supervisory role.

[@MonkeyShred]

It certainly did. It was a thing of beauty.

[@steveaguinaga3821]

..... Oh.... Boiled linseed oil.. 😀 Such a great job. Beautiful bike to be appreciated

[@MonkeyShred]

Yup! Works a treat as preserving patina!

[@ormsk954]

This is a real sympathetic restoration keeping most of the original rather than just using an old frame to build an all new bike.

[@ralphbenitez4407]

That’s a survivor restoration. Nice.

[@MonkeyShred]

It definitely is.

[@mixdiver]

What a lovely sympathetic restoration totally stunning with the right amount of patina

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@worldofameiso5491]

I have a 1947 Bates Vegrandis which I am planning to do a similar restoration. Very useful video. A great piece of work as usual.

[@clearprop]

Love this. A beautifully edited video of a very worthwhile project. The restoration itself does justice to the bike without erasing history. A credit to you.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@flaviojunior4218]

My granfather always said that things made before ww2, whatever they were, were made to last. Thank you and well done job, as always.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! This has definitely lasted well but it was also looked after.

[@raymondsymington7987]

Love your work!! Keeps me motivated to work om my bike projects...Thanks for all the handy tips

[@cortomal]

In the beginning of the video : "And today, I'm just going to give it a quick...a quick service really" Good one ! This is well done job, I really enjoyed watching it. And I do agree with what you said at it the end of the video: a good restoration should also try to preserve some of the wear, which is part of the object's history. Thank you for sharing this with us, keep up the good work, I'm always looking forward to seeing your now posts !

[@MonkeyShred]

HA yes. I realised I said that at the start while editing and just let out a big sigh. A quick service haha, oh boy was I wrong. Still, it was worth all the cleaning and polishing in the end!

[@AhmedElSayed-vb2ik]

@@MonkeyShred ء.ؤ سؤصءسءءء.ش

[@Merlmabase]

Your hard work was generously rewarded I would say - well done. And let's all thank our lucky stars that schwalbe is still making a good quality, attractive tire for this wheel size. That cream colour somehow just beautifully matches all these old designs.

[@MonkeyShred]

It does! The cream is perfect for these bikes! They work so well on my red Norman too!

[@johnwelch557]

Beautiful! I rode one in the early 60's as a kid. A friend let me try it. If memory serves it was appointed like yours. Holy cow, I thought I was riding in the TDF! I still had an old cruiser that weight about 12,000 lbs.with one gear only suitable for riding dowhill. HA! That's when I fell in love with Brooks saddles. I still only ride them and are on several bikes here at the house. One is still in use from 1964! Saved all year for it.... Ha! Thanks!

[@MonkeyShred]

They do make very comfortable saddles! I had a 1954 Raleigh Trent Sports once and it still had the original saddle. 60+ years of use and it was a joy to ride still.

[@richardharvey4013]

Absolutely lovely piece of cycle engineering. Well done

[@MonkeyShred]

It is a beauty and now in another owners collection. Definitely in another appreciative home!

[@ashleytaylor9651]

Best resto, keeping the history of the bike intact, well done.

[@MonkeyShred]

That's what I like to try and do with these bikes if they're like this :)

[@georgejohnson1498]

Easily the best restoration of a classic I have ever seen. Totally sympathetic to what is was, and it survives as an original. Myself, I have a gifted Carlton from 1984 [I am the second owner], which is such a juvenile in comparison, and I got my "old lady" back on the top-line with additional period parts to replace the worked out and hopeless Shimano Golden Arrow group-set. I used Gran Sport, Super Record and Record "C" and had a nice set of Mavic rimmed Chorus-hubbed wheels to fit. Those old bike parts were so well made in my experience. This was my full first bike rebuild, and of course it was over many months, while using the bike daily for commuting. There are no vids or photos. It did not occur to me at the time. But your splendid work on a real "old lady" is an inspiration. Thanks for such a nice and respectful rebuild, so well caught. Best wishes from George PS: The Carlton is still my daily bike, wet or dry, cold or warm. Too nice for that really, but it is so nice to ride, and if I get it wet, I clean it off once home. The bike was meant to be enjoyed, and so long as I can I'll keep on enjoying it as intended. It has a North Road Bar on as this is as close to a racing bar as I can still use for long rides ...

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. I appreciate those words! Hope your Carlton gives you many more miles riding.

[@georgejohnson1498]

@@MonkeyShred This is not a restoration! It is better!! It is a saving of a beautiful old bike. Without spoiling its history. Keep it dry. Look after it. Since my last post I have been given a pre-1970 Raleigh Wayfarer - three speed Sturmey Archer. Lovely bike in good original condition [chrome is un-blemished], but I have no idea how to get the paint as good as it should be. Not repainted, but preserved. It will be a regular rider rather than a historic beauty. The Carlton needs to be rested a bit after about fifteen years with me and a complete nut and bolt and bearing rebuild. But I want a bike with mud-guards for use when it is raining so the protection on the Wayfarrer needs to be robust, but sympathetic. I hope you see this reply. Best wishes from George

[@nickdavis9280]

Fabulous! Love the gear shifter. Another great restoration.

[@MonkeyShred]

I was lucky to find a brass one in such good condition I think!

[@leecollins390]

It is a restoration, it's the best sort of restoration. Just clean the shit out of everything, new cables bearings and grease so it works and keep all of it's age and history. Love it, good job. bon continu..

[@MonkeyShred]

New cables still to come though!

[@imbalolpro]

Agreed! So boring when its "Oh I found this bike, let me remove everything, sandpaper it, spray it and put a new Shimano105 with Mavic wheels on it". This is pure pleasure.

[@stephenbass3103]

I adore this build! Great turn around! Thanks for sharing these older bike rebuilds.

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamesb1717]

I think this is one of your best restorations so far. Lovely looking machine.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@chr1sda1sey]

This bike was built at a time when entire factories would shutdown for a week or two during the summer so that all the workers could go on holiday and that is what the paper labels under the old grips are referring to.

[@MonkeyShred]

That'd be nice. A 2 week summer shutdown

[@RC.Time-Crawlers]

Great job 👏 I just Restored a Hercules 3 speed one week ago.I couldn't be happier with a bicycle that was made far before I was a thought. For those who may travel this rode.It's incredible how well Aluminum foil and water will do to clean all the chrome,it's like magic, know kidding .Well take care 🙋‍♂️

[@767bob]

Great work on bringing this bike back...it looks great! 👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks! 👍

[@vintagelugs1708]

Absolutely elegant restoration!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@RobertMcDonnell-w8l]

Yes I do like your bike. My wife and I both have a much newer version of that same bike, and we love them. By the was, I have a BRAND NEW "never used" shifter like the one you have on this bike. Maybe you would be interested in it?

[@C345OFR]

Wonderful! The revival of the paintjob and the brass are particular highlights, but stunning overall.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks :)

[@theacornproject121]

Awesome job, looks stunning! A very considered and sympathetic restoration, well done!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@ChrisDemers23]

Well done. Such care taken to give it a good polish without changing its story.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@ChrisDemers23]

@@MonkeyShred You do fine work. I've learned a lot from you. And you've got a cute cat. Be well.

[@ChrisDemers23]

What's the name of the car polish that you used? It leaves quite a shine.

[@luckyram3461]

Wonderful restoration mate. Really enjoyed this one & you included all the best parts. No doubt a lot of elbow grease you have used . Thanks for sharing .

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@GABRIEL_CRAFT]

Good job ~ looking forward to the next vintage MTB build ☺️

[@MonkeyShred]

Me too!

[@jrmatter74]

WoW! Amazing looking bike. I love the "saved" look myself. It's only original once. That Sturmey Archer low/high shifter is killer! Great job.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. The SA shifter really is eye catching

[@lenefischer3773]

Beautiful work, thank you for saving this treasure!

[@MonkeyShred]

It was my pleasure!

[@williamhilliard7386]

Very nice,keeping original paint #1.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much

[@FrancoDX]

That looks awesome! The brass parts are a really nice touch and the tyres, grips and saddle all work well together. Amazing how well these bikes clean up, gotta thank the old lads for getting grease and oil everywhere haha!

[@MonkeyShred]

That oil certainly helped preserve a lot of the paint!

[@elmercuba272]

Beautiful work love and passion congratulation

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@truckertom3323]

Beautiful looking Bicycle, outstanding. And of course, the one and only, Torvy the Cat.

[@MonkeyShred]

I try and get her in every video ;)

[@emiliejade1910]

That's perfection in bike form, I'd just love to get my hands on a bike like this to restore to that condition.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you! They are still out there but are getting quite rare!

[@kevindavidson1410]

Absolute beauty. The details of the crank and bell and badge are something else. Nice job, good as new with all it's character.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@dermotmaguire607]

A beautiful machine and great results thanks for sharing mate

[@MonkeyShred]

No problem 👍 Thanks for watching

[@tatetara2710]

The guy has done a great job same as he say dont have to go down to bare metal

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks.

[@worldofameiso5491]

Beautiful sympathetic restoration, a joy to watch.

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@lindathrift4805]

Enjoy ur commentary so much as you work thru ur projects. Love the cat.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you! 😊

[@SmallGadgetMan]

I will never know why cats love bikes so much. lol

[@hoverbotfpv1425]

God bless good British enamel paint! saved many Norton's and BSA's because you can buff it forever.

[@MonkeyShred]

The BSA I have from roughly the same year could probably be buffed up on the frame too! Unfortunately the fork suffered from the weathering and rust :(

[@chrisallen7956]

Looks great. Its nice to still see some age but being clean and well maintained at the same time👍

[@MonkeyShred]

It definitely has the right balance of wear (story) and looks!

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Superb content. Great that you don't use music.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks

[@jamesporter5630]

Beautiful. The bike turned out great. Classic. I love the shifter. Just the kind of bike I am looking to add to my (small and modest), collection. The fact that it isn’t a “perfect “ restoration is just what I like. No worries, just climb on and pedal.

[@MonkeyShred]

They're pretty rare to find in this condition. Good luck on your search. I was super lucky.

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

lovely bike that - the black paint almost looks like chrome it's come up that nice

[@MonkeyShred]

I was super impressed with how well it came back to life.

[@neilhamilton2621]

I get so much joy cleaning old bikes

[@MonkeyShred]

It is nice to see the transformation

[@wcronin7307]

Great job! My late cousin had a smaller version of a bike just like this. It had a three speed hub and we thought it was magic.

[@gaddmeister]

That is absolutely stunning!! 😍 You should be so proud of yourself! Perfect patina on it, I love it!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you so much!

[@raleighnut]

Great job on a great bike. And a lovely cat, as well.

[@MonkeyShred]

The star of the show!

[@macpdm]

Utterly fascinating watch of a stunning bike. Love the original patina which you have maintained in your thoughtful resto 👍😀

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@oterocarbonell1665]

I totally agree with you about the restoration! I remember the Claud Butler you did a few years ago, i think it was just a perfect restoration!

[@MonkeyShred]

That was a beautiful bike. I always regret selling it.

[@ndavies5968]

Gorgeous bike mate, the end result you got is bloody eye candy! I've just been given a 1953 Raleigh sport 4 speed Stermy archer ( all original parts but not paint work) and it's in need of a good bit of tlc. It still rides nice though, but I'm going to fix it up perfect. My brooks saddle has gone really bad though, maybe too far for repair. Il try and save it

[@MonkeyShred]

Be gentle with those old Brooks. I bought one once that looked in great condition but it failed after 2, maybe 3 rides. I'm sure it had been repaired, maybe the nose glued back on and it just didn't hold up.

[@ndavies5968]

@@MonkeyShred il be careful, thanks for the head up. It seems OK but the front 2 rivets have worn through the leather, and the sides have spread out. I might lace it through and under the saddle to fasten it back, and then just put some dummy rivets in the front.. Somehow

[@richardwaterman2867]

Ahhh Now that was a satisfying watch. Paint looks absotively grand! Looks Money Mark!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks 👍 Yep, paint came out beautifully. It was really nice to find that underneath.

[@and6239]

100% a restoration! Fine job of cleaning and relaxing video to boot too.

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Armin_27]

Hey everybody! Oh shit I‘m late!!😱☺️ What a stunning restoration, such a beautiful Ride! 🖤

[@MonkeyShred]

Late to the premiere but early to the comments ;)

[@markbattista6857]

Beautiful job , one of my favorite bicycles , thanks

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad you like it!

[@joecity9]

Nothing today matches the elegance of those Raleigh forks. No better geometry. If you ever rode one you know what I mean.

[@philipbarrett3151]

I think it's fantastic! Perfect balance of returning a bike to a fully rideable condition with out losing the character acquired over the years.

[@maverick51]

I actually prefer this type of restoration because it keeps the character but everything mechanical works well

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@johnkelleher4338]

A respectful restoration of a good old bike. Thank you. P.S. 'Beausage' is beautiful.

[@MonkeyShred]

Beausage. Never heard that one before! Mix of "beautiful" and "usage"?

[@streetcar6896]

Stunning! Excellent job!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@chriskappert1365]

That lovely cat must be the custodian ! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@stephencopeland238]

Absolutely lovely - leave it as is. Heaps of history. Well envious

[@meadows408]

Ha, typical supervisor, no dirt on her hands. Great video.

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh she's always got mucky paws.... It's just not from helping me.

[@Tom-vc5jn]

Awesome video. Great work .

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@pauljubb7104]

Looks amazing. So nice to see it’s be given a new lease of life 👍🏻

[@paulobrien4794]

Looks so good. Brilliant job.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks so much 😊

[@RutherfordRyan1]

Interesting detail where the chainstay meets the seat tube….do you think that there would be a pin through there not visible ? Thanks for your videos …these old bikes are disappearing and current generation examples are disposable. The fact that this one has survived and shone through the years of goo build up says something of the build quality. Perhaps they could have thought a little more about corrosion …but…it’s a great bike

[@MonkeyShred]

The boss on the chainstay is actually for one of those huge crankcases. This frame would have been used on various models so it's just an option for those other models.

[@RutherfordRyan1]

@@MonkeyShred Thank you and best wishes

[@matthewlewis9356]

Well done excellent job 👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@stephaniekent8483]

magnificent! what a beautiful job you have done, nice to see the love and care pouring out on this old lady of the road :)

[@VickersV]

Excellent job and very relaxing to watch, thank you for that.

[@vincentkeefe5776]

Wow. So gorgeous. Great work as usual, MonkeyShred!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@100363Boil]

I watched this some time ago and was inspired to try such a restoration. I got ahold of a Norwegian made DBS bike from 1944. The frame looks to be only rust but I can see it was black with some nice pin stripes. What can I do to bring back some kind of surface without removing the color that is still there?

[@anders8707]

So therapeutic to watch!

[@knifecharlatan8912]

I'm with you, this is beautiful with character that can't be fabricated.

[@MonkeyShred]

It was in the PERFECT condition.

[@greg1268]

fantastic video! LOVE those grips!!

[@Onedutchbikeinvalencia]

Exactly what I have on my mine for my restoration bike project

[@MonkeyShred]

What do you have on yours?

[@jaimzb60]

I like this bike’s “oily rag restoration” much more than I would have with a strip/repaint etc. Nice work!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@thedude2178]

Nice work Mr Monkeyshred

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@rafaelarezende2631]

The supervisor looks very happy 😂

[@MonkeyShred]

She is! Lots of purrs.

[@michael61985]

This is a beautiful bike glad its orginal or close to original as possible

[@MonkeyShred]

It was the best way to keep this one alive.

[@michael61985]

​@@MonkeyShred glad you chose to keep it that way

[@maskedavenger2578]

Nowt like a bit of age patina proper bike built to last not like the over priced rubbish they try to flog you now .Nice Brooks leather saddle will wear in nicely . I was offered an old Atlas bike from the 1930’s back in 1990 ,but the van was overloaded already with building materials .I regret not going back for it now as only needed tyres inner tubes brake blocks ,new bearings & a good oil rag clean up .

[@MonkeyShred]

They’re the best kind of finds right? This one turned out great

[@ashpunting]

This is a cool bike it belongs in a frame its to nice to ride.👍🏾

[@StoccTube]

As we used to say at Uni in 1996 “that’s top banana”. I love a full restoration, but I also love a conservation, a modification and a “re-cycle”! I really need to try the boiled linseed oil too.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks. I think it works quite well as a glossy protective coat.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That’s froogin’ nuts!

[@MonkeyShred]

Pretty huh?

[@yesidsierrarojas5654]

Great job, in my town there are lot of vintage english bikes such a humber, raleigh, philiphs, rudge. Is a small town in colombia. Ubate.

[@jembo1959]

Well done I really really loved the video thanks for sharing, you did a super job.

[@bobby3704]

beautiful ... and you are absolutely correct-AH-muNdO it is a restoration . Great job !

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@jpspider]

Beautiful. Great, great job.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@stevecurtis9886]

Nice! Very entertaining to see your work.

[@stevencowles8419]

Well done, looks lovely. I'm glad you kept the used look rather than going for a full repaint etc. There is room for both types of restoration in my view and I believe the full 'as new' type should be kept for those bikes where it is the only realistic option.

[@MonkeyShred]

I'd agree too. I think I'll be going full on the BSA I have because the fork has lost most of it's paint and the chrome is peeling so I have no real choice there.

[@antoniocorigliano68]

Bravo good job 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@grantperkins368]

Top job, mate! It looks fantastic. That seat suits it perfectly :-)

[@oswaldconsultancyltd3150]

Great job. Fun.

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you!

[@mcmurph101]

Looks good!

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers!