Darrell Y’s 1971 Raleigh Sprite

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Last July Darrell Y. brought top (OTSOTM) honors for his 1973 Raleigh Competition, and he stands to do that same thing this month with this, his 1971 Raleigh Sprite. If you’re drooling just looking at this beauty and you live anywhere remotely close to Chicago, then you will be interested to know that Darrell is also the host, mastermind, organizer-extraordinaire of the Manor & Meadow Tour in Oak Brook, Illinois. Everyone knows that half the fun of any organized ride is eyeballing what everyone else is ridin, and the M&M should offer the typical bike geek enough eye candy to leave them feeling nauseous.  The ride is Sunday, June 10, 2012 in Oak Brook, Illinois and you’ll find more information on the M&M website and the M&M Facebook Page.

Darrell’s 1971 Raleigh Sprite (Cyril)

Cyril started life as a five speed bike. He was a humble Craigslist find that I intended to just ‘spiff up’ a bit, but it wasn’t long until I disassembled the bike down to the frame and sent it off to the sandblaster. The bike has two of my first homebuilt wheels. The original Huret Allvit derailleurs are decent for the kind of riding I do on this deluxe townie. This is a great riding bike and one of my favorites. The 27 inch derailleur Raleighs are sadly overlooked gems from the seventies. I’d love to see more of these show up at Tweed Rides across the country.

Darrell – Arlington Heights, Illinois

  • Frame — 1971 Raleigh Sprite — 21 1½ inch (~55cm)
  • Fenders – Honjo 43mm Smooth Fluted
  • Wheels — Homebuilt (Stock Sturmey Archer Rear Hub, Shimano Dyno Front Hub, Sun CR-18 Rims)
  • Tires — Panaracer Pasela Tourguards 27 x 1¼
  • Handlebars — Stock Raleigh Northroad
  • Brake Handles — Stock Raleigh Self Adjusting
  • Brakes — Tektro 800A Side Pull
  • Grips — Honey Brown Brooks
  • Stem — Stock Raleigh
  • Crank — Stock Raleigh-Cottered
  • Bottom Bracket — Stock Raleigh
  • Pedals — Stock Raleigh
  • Derailleurs — Huret Allvit – Stock
  • Chain — Stock
  • Saddle — Brooks Honey Brown B66
  • Saddle Bag — Acorn Medium Large Saddle Bag
  • Seatpost — Stock
  • Rear Bags – Gilles Berthoud Special Small Panniers
  • Rack — Velo-Orange Constructeur
  • Rear Light — Busch & Muller
  • Headlamp — Vintage Union
  • Reproduction Decals — Cyclomondo & H. Lloyd

Related posts:

  1. David K’s Raleigh Sprite 10
  2. Steve S’s Raleigh Sprite 10
  3. Paul’s 1978 Raleigh Sprite 10 Mixte
  4. Darrell Y’s 1973 Raleigh Competition
  5. Hugh’s General Sprite Ten Speed
  • Bphague

    Top notch, old boy!

  • BeaterRezQ

    Darrel Y.,
    What a beauty! I could cruise that lovely little bike across America, and back. I especially like that it is set up for comfort and really classy at the same time–right down to all the original parts mentioned above. Oh, and the old 70’s stem with the sharp angle most like to impale the rider upon the first end-o’, gotta love it! (I have a few of those, real killer)
    You show two different types of grips, which ones did you end up going with, the Brooks I hope? Nice job,BRQ

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619264304 Darrell Yarborough

      The bike has the Brooks Slim grips on it now. The tan plastic (Hunt Wilde) grips were on it when I did the original restoration.

      • BeaterRezQ

        Nice, those plastic Hunt Wilde grips are retro-classy but boy do your hands sweat. (especially out here in the southwest) Sometimes, when riding during the summer months I have to wipe my hands off on my clothes just to keep from slipping off the grips. Wise move,imho. B

  • http://www.facebook.com/wellroundedengineer Roger Allison

    Looks like the bicycle of a proper English gentleman

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1619264304 Darrell Yarborough

      Thank you Sir, that is a high compliment indeed!

    • BeaterRezQ

      …words uttered right before a duel.(in my neighborhood)
      Sir B

  • Ryan Surface

    I say what a lovely steed

  • DOCSPROCKET

    DARRELL THEY SAY A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
    WELL THESE PHOTOS SAY IT ALL & THEN SOME
    ABSOLUTELY PICTURE PERFECT
    SHE BELONGS IN SONOMA CO, CA WHERE THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES

  • Raleigh Guy

    Love it! I have a ’75 Sprite 5-speed that my dad bought new and stored badly. I am rebuilding it as a touring bike presently. Yours gives me more inspiration. Thanks.