Uh-Oh! I found an old Raleigh 20 folding bicycle

Someone threw out an old Raleigh 20 folding bicycle on trash day. The more I look at it the better shape it is in. I have ordered some chrome cleaner and need to fix the 3 speed Sturmey Archer shifter but it looks like a tough bike. I wiped the dirt and grease off of the rear hub and found the date, the bike was made in November 1972. I plan on seeing if I can figure out a way to add a sail to the bike and ride it on the levee roads out in the Florida Everglades a few miles from my home.
I will do a few videos showing how well the bike cleaned up and what I had to do to get the shifter to work and obviously whatever happens to my sail lunacy. Stay tuned.
PS
I am not a bicycle guy and haven't messed around with them since I was a kid, or before this bike was made. I know there are a lot of bike experts on YT, if I get something wrong in my technical or practical description or application don't go crazy on me, not a bike expert, just trying to have some fun.
Robb Moffett
Robb's Homemade life / mrhulot101
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[@HaphazardHomestead]

That's a great find! It even has a little rack on the back. I'm looking forward to seeing it all rehabilitated and lubricated - and sailing!

[@harryjoe860]

I have one of these! It was my father’s in the 1970s and we have exchanged ownership multiple times and now it’s mine again! In the process of making it into a folding motor bicycle for my future airplane. My dad tried to sell it a year or so ago and it couldn’t sell priced at 50$!!! So it’s gonna get modified!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

That's a pretty good price for $50 I'm surprised. Glad you liked the video much appreciated.

[@harryjoe860]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife I just took it to the bike shop to have the tires replaced and a new seat put on, get this the guy who is working on it collects these bikes! He has more than 3!

[@garybivens3236]

I love dumpster diving especially when some local colleges have spring graduation get tons of great used and some new stuff

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

yeah, I think sometimes people put out good stuff in hopes of people taking it to use, they just don't want the hassle of taking it to the thrift store to donate.

[@lalaprepper]

Brilliant find

[@journeybrook9357]

I once rolled a sand dollar on a windy beach ( Netarts Bay) It roll almost a mile. Can't imagine sailing on a bike with crosswinds but straight direction winds I sure could.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I am still thinking about making a sailing bicycle

[@ChefBuckRecipes]

nice find... looking forward to seeing how it cleans up

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

thanks Buck, the fenders need to be wire brushed and primed and painted but I am trying to keep the original paint. We used ospho on the ships to convert rust but I have been experimenting with Turtle wax Chrome polish on the chrome and paint with aluminum foil to scrub. It is working better than I imagined although some parts are toasty. I will coat with wax and just let it go and see what happens. I need to find or make a small buffer.

[@PecosNM]

You might want to replace the brake pads too. The rubber gets brittle with age and could possibly give you some unexpected trouble. Have fun with your bike, it'll be fun.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

yeah, the brakes are a weak spot in the raleigh 20. I thought I could replace the rims with 20 inch BMX rims but reading the forums it looks like they will not fit the brakes without extra mods.If I keep these rims I will have to remember to remove any polish after I clean them if I ever hope to stop with the brakes.. I am planning on fixing the front bearings tomorrow. I wonder what the bike shop wil say when I tell them i just want to buy 18 ball bearings,LOL

[@journeybrook9357]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife 🤔😂😂😂

[@nyx0838]

Someone gave one of this to me years ago, she's an elderly and she's had it since she was kid, I'm thinking of restoring it. 🤞

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

give it a try, you can still get parts and even the lettering

[@nyx0838]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife yeah will do, thank you!

[@ShalimarPerfume]

Last fall my Hubby picked me up a vintage 3 speed 1970's ladies Huffy Sea Pines bike. It is not as tall as my 18 speed mountain bike and easier for me to ride. I only go one speed now a days anyways. LOL.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hey Shalimar, that is one advantage of the Folder as the seat height is super easy to adjust.

[@IvorMektin1701]

Great find!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

I like it-thanks for watching, Rick.

[@roystoys3099]

Gotta Love Those Special People That Throw Away Good Things That Can Live Another Life With Someone Else!! Re-use, Repurpose Or Donate!!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

One of the best things about my community is we have a specific day each week we can leave out large trash items so if a good item that can be reused is left it almost always gets taken by someone who cruises by in a pick up.

[@bctruck]

Man, the things people throw away! That salt air sure is hard on chrome.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Hey Brad, we have a trash day every Thursday and there are 100s of apartments here in the community. A person could make a living recycling and reselling the furniture and items that are discarded. Most of the wood is particle board but occasionally I have seen quality wood- mahogany and even teak. the bike goes for $100-$250 on eBay. I got the cleaner yesterday evening and it did a good job on the handlebars but the rims are too far gone. I will clean it up and post a video before and after next week.

[@maintoc]

Good find and vid, Robb. Also, I got a chuckle from the in-video text line about the lubrication and "..., the bike too." :p I look forward to seeing how the bike looks after you've refurbished it. I read your comment, in reply to BCtruck, rebuild, repair,repurpose, saying that the rims are too far gone. Best wishes to you. :)

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

hey maintoc, I think I am going to try some more on the rims, the rag and cleaner did not help much but this morning I used foil and it is much better. I rode some more and the front bearings sound bad . I got the shifter to move but it still does not shift into all 3 gears. The fenders are pretty rusted, I think I will just use ospho and then coat them with a paste wax. thanks for watching.

[@maintoc]

Cool. Also, I was going to suggest that you try aluminum foil on the chrome, but I figured you'd already know about that. Sorry to hear about the bearings and the shifter. For the latter, maybe try 3-in-1 penetrating oil or WD-40.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

it is funny, there are a dozen different ways people remove rust from chrome on YT but can't find any good DIY ways to remove rust from painted surfaces that will not destroy the paint or require soaking the item.

[@JoeLarge]

Ok I'm looking for an electric bike. So keep an eye out.the more I saw the video the more that you have a perfect place for an ebike. thanks for posting.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

hey Joe, good to hear from you, we are pretty flat down here but the gators make big speed bumps.

[@gandsnut]

What of a handle-bars basket for your crazy pooch to ride with you? Oh, and playing cards on the spokes. Gotta have those.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

she prefers to walk so she can stop every 4 feet and sniff stuff for an hour or eat something that will make me take her to the vet.

[@stephaniehamilton6217]

I had a red one like this when I was 14.

[@dm93627]

I recently bought one from ebay for 99p, brilliant little bike

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

They are so well built. Thanks for watching!😎👌

[@NatureRecycleFlorida]

cool find

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

thanks NCR.

[@NatureRecycleFlorida]

NRF :)

[@oxbadcode6573]

How can you tell what year it is from?

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

yes, the axle says 1972

[@oxbadcode6573]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife really I checked mine and it didnt say anything

[@oxbadcode6573]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife and in the back hub are you supposed to put like oil on it?because it has like a little opening that you can close and open

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

"uh-oh"?! Loox like you got a pretty good one! What's the problem with that?!

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Uh-Oh. I was afraid somebody was going to ask me that.

[@HelloHello-hk4sx]

@@RobbsHomemadeLife sorry. 🤭

[@zonasepedaku3075]

cool bike

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

thanks!

[@joeoconnor8106]

Just bought one today

[@joeoconnor8106]

Just bought one today

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

they are fun but I am too tall for mine.

[@eg6970]

Me too. Need advice on restoring

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

Sweet Raleigh folder, you might like to check out a vintage folding bike I have on my channel, thanks.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

your Peugot looks neat!

[@pennsyltuckyden9823]

Thanks Rob glad you liked it.

[@sidwhitten7126]

Heaviest bike ever made lol. They had their own gravity.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

Ha! you got that right.

[@franco912]

i'm 103 kg will it withstand my weight

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

yes, I am over 200 puonds, it is a bit too small for me though as I am 6 foot tall.