1950's Raleigh Clubman Restored... Value?

[raleighclubman]

So, I bought this bike recently and although I don't have any real intention of selling it, I'm unsure of how much its worth! I just wanted a retro looking single speed at the time, but after someone that saw it a couple of days ago offered me a lot of money for it, I thought it'd be worth finding out how much its really worth...

I bought it in an auction off a guy that was really passionate about restoring vintage bikes, and he took this frame down to the metal, resprayed it, re applied the graphics and added all the right period correct Raleigh Clubman parts.
The 531 frame (22" CTT) and forks date to 1950 using Sheldon Brown's information, frame number 999946P, and the bikes in immaculate condition. The sprocket has the Raleigh Heron symbol around it, and a similar detial is engraved up on the handlebars. The brakes and brake levers are all period correct Weinmann too. There is a new 18T freewheel and chain, 1/8" to match the sprocket, new tyres, cotter pins and cables.
The Blumels pump is even from the 50's!

I've attached a picture of the bike (that doesn't do it justice at all) and would love it someone could shine a bit of light on how valuable the bike is! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[keithglos]

I would have expected GB brakes and bluemels mudguards. The rims would have been Dunlop steel lightweight (24 ounces!!)
Peter Kohler has revised his site with full catalogue entries for Raleigh, and is on here.
Value and sale price are not related.

Keith

 

[Spokesmann]

You will get better money with a little effort put into presentation, bars/tape and angle would be one of my first ports of call.

 

[Robbied196]

Re:

Its the old line of, 'its worth what someone is prepared to pay for it!'

'Restored' reduces the value against a completely original bike. The Clubman was an expensive machine in the 50s at between £27 - £30. It would be good to see more close up photos. The paint looks right but a few things don't. Non original wheels as Keith has pointed out, the original spec would be Dunlop Stainless, the seat and post are non original, should have a Brooks B17N. Brakes would most likely be GB, its hard to tell from the photo but the handlebars and stem may be later additions, and it needs white celluloid mudguards.

You could spend quite a lot of money getting it back to original spec but I'm not sure that would reflect in its final value.

 

[raleighclubman]

Thanks for all the information so far! The photo is from the auction advert where I bought the bike, but the only difference is that it now has brown faux leather grip tape. I've done some more digging too and found the wheels are from a Coventry Eagle, and the brakes and handlebars are off a Raleigh Zenith. I agree too, a Brooks saddle would look great, definitely something I'm on the look out for!

I've seen similar, slightly (not fully original) earlier Raleigh Racers advertised online for £500+ ... is this figure going to be similar, or even higher for mine?

 

[raleighclubman]

Bump

 

[Robbied196]

Unfortunately, at the end of the day you only have the frame, forks and chainset, the rest not being original. If you are lucky, you could find a pair of Dunlop stainless 27" wheels but they are getting pretty rare. Ebay might be the most likely place to find a pair but they easily make £100+, A good 1950s Brooks B17N is going to be around £50+

The prices you are seeing for Clubmans sounds very optimistic, did they actually sell? Here's a completely original Clubman that sold for £311 on Ebay where prices tend to be top. They turn up much cheaper through specialist auctions and magazines like the V-CC's News and Views.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1950-Raleigh- ... 7675.l2557

This illustrates how a 50s Clubman should look, and being original its of more interest to collectors than a restored version would be. As you can see, you need to spend £150 on wheels etc, plus a few other parts to get the bike looking right. I'm afraid that puts a big dent in its value which I'd guess (for what its worth ) would be around £140 - £180 on Ebay

 

[keithglos]

Re:

Take the money and buy a quality 1970s hand built lightweight.

Keith