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 Raleigh - 500 TT
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Photo ou archives : M. Woollett
7503

Capacity : 500
Model : TT
Production : 1931 - 1931
Category : (R) Racing

RALEIGH

500 Grand Prix - 1931

A wizard bikeÂ…

Famed for its bicycles, Raleigh of Nottingham also built motorbikes between 1899 and 1933 – even racing a very quick 500cc machine in a number of Continental Grands Prix between 1928 and 1931. The engines were built by Sturmey-Archer, which was better known for its gearboxes; the design was by the famous Daniel "Wizard" O'Donovan, who had made his name with his exploits on Nortons, both as rider and tuner.

Six of the Best

The 500 Raleigh of 1930 could reach 100 mph, and despite fierce opposition, Arthur Tyler won the 500cc class in the Austrian GP. The marque also took third place in the Belgian GP. Spurred on by these results, O'Donovan devised a new machine for 1931. Six examples were built – three 500s and three 350s. They were virtually identical – the smaller capacity being achieved by retaining the stroke of 101mm but reducing the bore to 66.3mm.

Costly Construction

Noble metals were widely used; the crankcase and gearbox castings were made from magnesium. The engine internals were polished, and instead of a total-loss oiling system, the new engines had dry-sump lubrication with a system that incorporated at least three oil pumps. The valves gear was totally exposed, the intake manifold was inclined at 15 degrees and a Bowden carburetor was fitted. Tyler finished seventh in the Senior TT, but the Raleigh could not match the new ohc Norton, and the Nottingham company withdrew from competition at the end of the season.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 495cc (79x101mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 36 hp @ 5700 rpm

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: Bowden carburetor

Transmission: Sturmey-Archer 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 21 inch (front); 20 inch (rear)

Weight: 298 lb

Maximum Speed: 105 mph

The works Raleighs of 1931, like this 500, made extensive use of magnesium castings. The cost of building the six GP racers was around $100,000 – a fortune for the period!




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.