Highlights
- Offered for sale from a private collection
- Exhibited in the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum until May 2022
- Highly original condition
- Believed to have had only three owners from new
The Appeal
Although known today mainly for its bicycle output, the Raleigh company was once one of the leading pioneers of the British motorcycle industry, building motorcycles first from 1899 to 1905 (long before most better-known marques like Triumph, Norton and BSA), and then again from 1919 to 1933.
The Model 14 was typical of Raleigh’s output, and of affordable motorcycling generally, during the Vintage years.
Built from 1925 to 1927, the 248cc single-cylinder engine and three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox made for a bike which, by the standards of the day, was conventional, straightforward, easy to ride and economical.
Now that Vintage motorcycles are very rarely seen, a Model 14 like this presents an attractive and unusual way of adding some interest and variety to a motorcycle rally dominated by mainly Post-Vintage bikes but, equally, it would be right at home in the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club, in the company of other pre-war machinery.
Built from 1925 to 1927, the 248cc single-cylinder engine and three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox made for a bike which, by the standards of the day, was conventional, straightforward, easy to ride and economical.
Now that Vintage motorcycles are very rarely seen, a Model 14 like this presents an attractive and unusual way of adding some interest and variety to a motorcycle rally dominated by mainly Post-Vintage bikes but, equally, it would be right at home in the Sunbeam Motorcycle Club, in the company of other pre-war machinery.
This example, while clearly the recipient of an older restoration, is nevertheless extremely original, as might be expected when it has reputedly had only three owners from new.
It is offered for sale from the collection of a private collector, during whose ownership it was exhibited until recently in the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum.
Having obviously been well cared-for during that time, we do not think it should take much more than some new fuel and a fresh service to get it running and back on the rally circuit.
It is offered for sale from the collection of a private collector, during whose ownership it was exhibited until recently in the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum.
Having obviously been well cared-for during that time, we do not think it should take much more than some new fuel and a fresh service to get it running and back on the rally circuit.
The History and Paperwork
- Reputed to have had three owners from new, the V5 confirms that it the previous owner acquired it in 1987
- Registered in Birmingham in September 1925 and resident in Kidderminster for most of its life
- Acquired by a prominent classic car and motorcycle collector in August 2017
- Exhibited in the Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum in Calne, Wiltshire, until May 2022
- Paperwork includes the current V5 and the Atwell-Wilson exhibit sheet
- An original Worcester C.C. tax disc from 1934 is displayed with the bike
The Condition
- Evidently the recipient of an older restoration, now nicely mellowed
- Paint in excellent condition with an attractive light patina
- Hand-painted coach lines and signwriting on the tank – a charming feature
Still presenting most handsomely with a deep black gloss, the restoration this bike has evidently received at some point in the past is still holding up extremely well.
It has aged a little bit, but in a very nice way, with the bike acquiring a brilliant patina over time which now leaves it looking very characterful. There is some paint damage on the tank, but it is not extensive and we do not think it does the appearance any harm.
It has aged a little bit, but in a very nice way, with the bike acquiring a brilliant patina over time which now leaves it looking very characterful. There is some paint damage on the tank, but it is not extensive and we do not think it does the appearance any harm.
There’s little in the way of brightwork, but the handful of brass and nickel-plated items also display much the same sort of patina, and benefit enormously from it.
We wouldn’t want to change a thing – to replate them and polish them would severely damage much of this bike’s charm.
We wouldn’t want to change a thing – to replate them and polish them would severely damage much of this bike’s charm.
The wheels and tyres look in good condition, and the Gough ‘Nonpareil’ saddle is particularly nice, with a few surface marks enhancing its sense of antiquity without harming the strength or integrity of the leather.
The Mechanics
- 250cc single-cylinder side-valve engine
- Beautiful ‘Oily Rag’ condition
- Full of delightful Vintage details and interesting technology
Even if you’ve not ridden a Vintage motorcycle before, it probably goes without saying that it’s a vastly different experience from riding a modern one, or even a post-war classic.
It will be slower, the brakes will be a little more ponderous and some of the controls may take a bit of getting used to, but it will be a far more visceral experience, cerebrally engaging and, come the end of it, you might even wonder why you ever bothered with modern bikes in the first place…
It will be slower, the brakes will be a little more ponderous and some of the controls may take a bit of getting used to, but it will be a far more visceral experience, cerebrally engaging and, come the end of it, you might even wonder why you ever bothered with modern bikes in the first place…
There’s so much to appreciate about Vintage technology and its often straightforward ingenuity, but sometimes one only has to look at it to enjoy it. Is not the patinated brass carburettor a thing of beauty by itself? And doesn’t the need to regulate the ignition advance/retard make the ride that much more stimulating?
Honestly, we think you can have far more fun on this at 20mph than you could on a modern superbike at 200mph.
Honestly, we think you can have far more fun on this at 20mph than you could on a modern superbike at 200mph.
While we have no MoT record for the bike and do not know when it was last run, it is clear that its restoration was completed to a high standard and it has been well looked after while on museum display, so we do not envisage there being any serious problems, even if it takes a little bit of fettling to get it to start.
We do, of course, recommend that bidders complete some precautionary checks and satisfy themselves as to the bike’s roadworthiness before riding it, but we suspect this one is more or less ready to go.
It is a very simple machine, so if it doesn’t run after you’ve put some fresh fuel in and serviced it, the cause is unlikely to be anything worse than a blocked fuel pipe or something slightly out of place in the magneto.
We do, of course, recommend that bidders complete some precautionary checks and satisfy themselves as to the bike’s roadworthiness before riding it, but we suspect this one is more or less ready to go.
It is a very simple machine, so if it doesn’t run after you’ve put some fresh fuel in and serviced it, the cause is unlikely to be anything worse than a blocked fuel pipe or something slightly out of place in the magneto.
Summary
Raleigh was one of the original pioneers of British motorcycling, but its importance is often overlooked while later marques have gone down in lore.
It would be nice to set the record straight by running and showing this handsome Model 14 which, being fairly small, economical and easy to ride, would make for an ideal entry into Vintage motorcycling.
It would be nice to set the record straight by running and showing this handsome Model 14 which, being fairly small, economical and easy to ride, would make for an ideal entry into Vintage motorcycling.
Beautifully presented with a most attractive patina following a restoration sometime in the past, this bike will surely be a pleasure to ride no matter how you intend to use it, and it’s guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes.
It may require just a little bit of fettling before it’s ready for the road, but it really shouldn’t be much, and whatever tinkering is required is sure to be very enjoyable.
It may require just a little bit of fettling before it’s ready for the road, but it really shouldn’t be much, and whatever tinkering is required is sure to be very enjoyable.
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