I'd guess that there is some mistake about the serial number / dating of this bike. I'd be more inclined to think it might be 1950s or even 1960s. But as far as Raleigh and Huffy connections go, there are many. I once had a bike that I'd swear was the exact model that Scott is describing here. It was a Huffy badged, built by Raleigh 3-speed bike. It was basic black, had some nice-looking decals, great fenders - very classic. In the 60s, in addition to the Raleigh-built 3-speeds, Huffy sold some Carlton built bikes that were considerably nicer than most of the bikes with the Huffy name. In the 80s, Huffy bought the rights to the Raleigh name in the US. These were the Raleigh USA bikes some people might remember, and I think included the "Technium" models that were bonded together using steel and/or aluminum, or perhaps combinations of the two.
Kyle Brooks Akron, OH
> [Original Message]
> From: Scott Edrington <scott@edrington.net>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Date: 7/15/2007 7:52:36 PM
> Subject: [CR]Mystery 1899/1900s Raleigh âHuffy (On/Off topic?)
>
> I friend of mine brought over an old rusty bicycle he was throwing away a
> nd I was disappointed that it had a Huffy name plate on it.If he had told
> me it was a Huffy, I would have told not to bother bringing it over; how
> ever, after looking at it a little more closely, it was not like any Huff
> y I have ever seen.
>
> The frame is a Raleigh and with a Serial Number that would indicate it wa
> s manufactured late 1899 or early 1900s according to Sheldon Brownâ
> s website.
>
> It also appears to have been a 3 speed at one time but is missing some pa
> rts.
>
> The front sprocket has the letters R I N.Not sure what this stands for?
>
> The seat tube has logo that says Made for Huffy by Raleigh â¦
>
> Also has a logo that says it is a Genuine English Light Weight.
>
> The head badge says Huffy in big letters but has an R in the lower right-
> hand corner.
>
> Is this the same Huffy that produced low end bicycle in the US?Sheldon Br
> ownâs website mentions that Huffy sold Raleigh's under their name
> in the 1960âs but this one does not fit that era.
>
> Does anyone have any knowledge or information they would be willing to sh
> are about this bicycle? Can send pictures to anyone interested.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott Edrington
> San DiegoCA