[CR]REW Reynolds, Lenton Gran Prix, Rod-brake-Raleigh

This message is an exception to general list policy, one that I have cleared with Dale, whom WABA and I thank very much.

On Saturday, February 5, the Washington Area Bicycle Association will have its annual Gala fund-raiser (at the Embassy of Finland). It will include some vintage bikes in a silent auction. WABA (www.waba.org) has agreed to accept email bids from CR listmembers for these bikes, up to 6:00 am EST, February 5. Descriptions are supposed to go up at http://waba.org/auction2005/bikesgear.html, but may not be there for a couple of days. You must submit one bid per bike, and you must have the bicycle name and the words "silent auction" in your subject line, for example "Lenton Silent Auction." Your bid will not be revealed, but if it tops the highest bid from attendees, you win and will be expected to settle by check. Shipping will be arranged by lowest feasible price, and is additional. I'll pack the bikes myself, at no cost.

here are the bikes, pix and description are supposed to be posted within days at http://www.waba.org or http://waba.org/auction2005/bikesgear.html.

Lenton Gran Prix. 1958 (determined from pix by P.C. Kohler). 23.5\u201d ctt x 22.5 top tube. 531 main tubes. Cyclo-Benelux front and rear derailleurs (\u201c8-speed\u201d), front rod or slap-shifter; rear shifter on DT. 3/32\u201d chain, 4-speed Cyclo FW. Lovely GB Mk. II aluminium brakes with levers actually designed for drop bars. \u201cReg Harris\u201d decal \u2013 if you don\u2019t know what that means, you\u2019re probably not interested in the bike J. Williams cranks with unusual Raleigh heron rings. HF hubs, 27\u201d narrow, dimpled, steel HP rims. 15\u201d (38 cm) ctc bars in the British style, about 2.5\u201d \u2013 3\u201d stem (seems to actually be lugged). Two generic, rusty, rat-trap pedals, but no saddle or pump. Front fender missing, rear has piece torn away from back. Best bid at auction at http://www.waba.org.

R.E.W. Reynolds Custom Touring Bike. 22\u201d (56 cm) CTT, 22\u201d top, full 531DB, Full-sloping crown, full wrap-over stays, two ding-scratches about 1 mm x 2 mm on top tube. GB \u201cmap\u201d engraved bars 16\u201d (40.4 cm) ctc. Rather rare Campy triple front, Specialized hubs, 27\u201d SuperChampion Competition rims, Suntour derailleurs and handlebar end shifters. Campagnolo brakes with like-new \u201cshield\u201d logo gum lever covers and virtually no scratches. Campy GS pedals. Paint very good, with some scratches. Early Jim Blackburn rack. SR post with period Avocet Spenco gel saddle with wide back. R.E.W. Reynolds of Northampton was a specialty shop that provided made-measure bikes of a very high standard, as well as hard-to-get continental parts, to Americans during the 1970s.

Rod-Brake-Raleigh, Large. If you have a strong back and a stiff upper lip and fully understand what is proper and what is not, then this Emblem of Empire is for you. 24\u201d seat-tube, with suitably relaxed frame angles, proper herons on chain-ring, Sturmey-Archer 3-Speed, and Brooks B-72 saddle (leather fair). Black, of course. Goes well with tweeds, when going out for a spot of tea. Responds remarkably well to tender loving neglect, but cleaning and lubrication every decade or so highly recommended. No reserve.

I have found no significant defects on any of these bikes (but didn't look closely at the Raleigh). Now, because the date has slipped, and because I will be inaccessible by email for the next week, I'm sorry that you are pretty much on your own for questions about the bikes. All were donated to WABA or an affiliate.

thanks, and good luck! harvey (I will not bid, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of
interest) sachs
mcLean va.