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Corporate Colours & RM5SS

by Mark Daniels


Ralegh RM1 leaflet
RM1: no need for colour photography
when the moped is grey.
Ralegh RM4
Ralegh RM5

Motobécane Spéciale 50
Motobécane SPR
Motobécane SP50

Starting with a bit of period background to set the stage: Raleigh announced its first RM1 moped at the Savoy Hotel, London in October 1958, which was finished in what Raleigh described as ‘Duo-tone grey enamel’, otherwise we have no further interest in the RM1 in respect of this presentation.

In May of 1959 the RM1c (clutch) model was introduced, to join the earlier direct-drive version, until both models were discontinued in December, to be replaced by the RM2c in January 1960, and finished in maroon and light ‘dove grey’.  On 19th April 1960, the giant Tube Investments Group agreed terms for the takeover of Raleigh Cycles, and Raleigh was subsequently appointed to head up the group re-organisation of all TI companies and products within the British Cycle Corporation, including Norman, Phillips, Hercules, and Sun.

In October 1960, Raleigh de-listed its Sturmey–Archer powered RM2c moped and announced the start-up of a completely new range of mopeds to be made under licence from the French Motobécane company.  New RM4 Automatic and RM5 Supermatic models were announced in November 1960 with production scheduled to start in February 1961, and presented in a new two-tone corporate colour scheme of ‘Charcoal and Pearl Grey’ (which was actually more of a light cream, while the Charcoal seemed to be a very close return of the dark grey deployed on the RM1).

Both models featured step-through frames, the RM4 being a single-speed machine with automatic clutch, rigid frame and telescopic front forks, costing  £59–17s–0d, while the ‘flagship’ RM5 (based on the Motobécane AV89) was fitted with variator transmission, leading-link forks and rear suspension, a dual-seat, and priced at £87–3s–0d.

While Raleigh was preparing for the introduction of the RM5 Supermatic to Britain for the new season in 1961, Motobécane had already introduced its own AV89 and an SP50 ‘Sport Spéciale’ version at the Paris Salon in October 1960.  The SP50 was shortly joined by another toned down SPR50 ‘Spéciale Route’ sports model in 1962, for more practical comfort, having a chunkier style of larger capacity chrome-sided top-tank with belt loops, the same heavily valanced front mudguard and fully enclosed chain-guard of the AV89, with a larger round headlamp set.  It was still finished in ‘Chaudron’ bronze and carried the same sporty low-forward handlebar, but was more ‘functional’ for a mature appeal.

An SP98 model was also launched in 1962, and introduced a third ‘angular’ type of top-tank with detachable panels, meaning all three tanks were in use at the same time on different models in 1962—which probably seems a bit silly…

The original Motobécane SP50 model with its round ‘Mottaz’ tank was discontinued in 1963, while the SPR ‘Spéciale Route’ changed to the angular, detachable panel tank from the SP98 (although pictures in leaflets were still showing illustrations of the earlier tank into 1964)—so now we’re more sensibly down to just one common top-tank.

Starting from early Raleigh corporate colours, then drifting into Motobécane sports fuel tanks, it maybe around this point you might be wondering quite where this intro is leading?


OK … So we’ve established the RM5 frame with leading-link forks and the angular, detachable panel top-tank were available components in 1963, so if Raleigh had prototyped a concept ‘sports’ version of the RM5—could it have looked something like this?

Raleigh RM5SS

This RM5 Supermatic Sports would have been a machine that Raleigh could have very easily built, since all the components to assemble such a machine were already in production at Motobécane.  The SP50 frame to mount a top-tank had existed since its introduction in October 1960, as had the leading-link fork set, though Motobécane had always chosen to fit telescopic forks into their SP50 frame.

Raleigh was already factoring-in a wide range of Motobécane parts to assemble its various models around this period, from RM4 (Nov 1960) to RM9 (Apr 1964), so all the required components to create this RM5SS would have been readily available.

Since Motor Imports of London were importing equivalent Motobécane models, Raleigh was actively trying to make its own licence branded equivalents look a little different, and Motobécane had never produced a Sport Spéciale version with the leading-link fork fitted.

Our RM5SS Concept is dated 1963, so it could be a prototype built by Raleigh Research & Development Dept from period components, but we’ll come clean, it’s not, because it’s a custom-built special.

So how’s it done?

Raleigh RM5SS

Because you can’t fit a top-tank onto the in-frame tank chassis, the outer sides of the frame-tank have been cut away, then blanked off by welding in flat sheets with swaged edges to make the panels more rigid, and look like an original form.  A formed bracket is welded to the top of the frame spine to support the rear mounting for the tank.

The stem mounted all-rounder pattern handlebars are turned upside down in the stem (á la RM12 style) to effectively become drops, and the rear footrest mountings cut from the rear suspension, so without any passenger, you can always tuck down along the dual seat to take advantage of the best aerodynamics.

The usual rear lamp bracket and rear number plate is removed from the rear mudguard, and replaced by a continental-style mudguard mounting rear lamp unit for a cleaner back-end look.

The offside rear suspension shroud now carries a spring loaded flip-plate (it’s a sort of custom thing where the number plate folds in half, with a spring to open it).  You might easily forget to open this, and ride around all day with the plate closed, and if you get pulled up, then just surreptitiously flip the catch if you have opportunity, or ‘sorry occifer, just forgot to open the plate—there, fixed’.

Look inside the front mudguard, and you can see the rubber-band suspension has been replaced with ex-Norman Nippy front springs, which will be more resilient, though probably not as reactive as the bands.

Raleigh RM5SS

Another surprising modification of note is that the rear brake lever bracket is drilled to carry a switch operating a rear brake light, and it actually seems to work!

So, on to the motor, and that’s been modified too, fitted with a 72.5cc Airsal GAC cylinder kit, which means it’s compressing an additional 22.5cc into the same 5.5cc head space, which pushes the standard 9:1 compression ratio up to 12:1.

The standard H14 carburettor has been replaced by a Dell’orto SHA15/15C (C indicates it has a cable operated choke shutter), and 1mm increase in the carburettor venturi diameter is going to add around a further 0.2bhp.

Increases in the capacity, compression ratio and carburettor size all increase the power.

The engine power output of the original AV89 engine was 2.7bhp, and while we don’t know quite what the new output is, it’s probably well over 3bhp.  The gearing ratio has also been increased by 8.3% by changing the rear sprocket from 48 teeth, down to 44 teeth.

Raleigh RM5SS

So by now you’re probably wondering: how does it go?

OK, the lever fuel tap switches on–off–res under the back centre of the tank (which seems an awkward place to locate the fuel tap—maybe you can easily reach it from both sides—or maybe it’s just difficult to reach from either side … take your pick).

Best starting procedure is off the stand and a ‘flying’ pedal start, so twist the throttle grip forward to decompress and get the engine turning over, then twist the throttle back, trigger the choke and the motor fires up right away.  You’ll need to keep tweaking the choke trigger a bit to hold the engine from dying out, till running clears after a minute.

The variator delivers a progressive ratio change up to the top of its range, after which the revs increase to whatever they’ll get up to under the prevailing conditions.

Despite the raised drive ratio, it pulls very well, and acceleration is noticeably stronger than a standard machine.

A period RM5 road test by ‘Centaur’ in Cycling dated 6th November 1961 reported a top speed ‘with the throttle wide open—maximum speed being in the region of 35mph’ (this approximation might seem a conservative estimate, since in our ‘Bronze Age’ article we paced a standard AV89 at 36–37 upright in still air on flat, 38–39 in crouch, and 43–44 downhill).

Raleigh RM5SS

The 22.5cc/45% increase in cylinder volume, certainly wouldn’t equate to a direct 45% increase in performance, and though it will certainly increase the engine power, it won’t necessarily increase the revs that the motor can achieve, in which case the top speed could remain much the same.

Raising the drive ratio by 8.3% would suggest around 40mph on-flat should be expected as long as the engine is able to pull the increased gear (which we’re pretty sure it would, because of the power increase).

Since the Huret 60mph speedo wavers from the moment we pull away, its vague indications are obviously going to be somewhat unconvincing … more of an approximeter than a speedometer, but we planned for this, because Huret speedometers have established a ‘reputation’ over the years, so we have a pacer for our road test.  Speedo peak reading wavering around 50–52mph on a light long downhill run in crouch as paced at 45mph.

With the extra power the motor produces from the capacity increase, it’s really easy for the bike to pull up to around an indicated 45 (actual paced 40) on flat, cruising easily in upright posture in still air, and consistently maintaining that pace.  A standard AV89 could only be worked up toward that kind of speed with the rider in a crouch, and would invariably drop some pace just by sitting back up.

Despite the extra capacity of the Airsal GAC 72.5cc conversion however, the transfers and exhaust porting are probably similar heights to the original AV89 ports, so while the GAC cylinder pulls better, it doesn’t seem to achieve significantly higher revs than the AV89 cylinder.

The RM4 was dropped in February 1964, to be replaced with the RM8 Automatic Mark 2, which again was finished in the Charcoal and Pearl Grey combination.  Around the middle of 1965 the RM8 now became offered in a choice of two colour schemes, Pearl and Charcoal Grey or Pearl Grey and Royal Blue.

The SPR50 ‘Sport Spéciale’ was imported to the UK from June 1965, which was when the angular chrome-panel sided tank first appeared in Britain.

All the Motobécane Sport Spéciale models featured a telescopic front fork, while the Raleigh RM5 retained the leading-link fork right up to June 1965, when it changed over to telescopic forks along with the fitting of a square headlamp and new colour scheme of Pearl Grey and Fire Red.

In June 1965, Raleigh also introduced its new RM12 Super-50 sports moped with AV89 motor, but based on a rigid frame with telescopic fork, finished in black, with a Neptune Blue fuel tank and sporting plastic ‘chrome’ stick-on knee grips.

The Charcoal and Pearl Grey corporate colours were fast disappearing, and from November 1965, the option was deleted from the RM8.  Drab monochrome was out, replaced by a variety of colours.

The moment of corporate colours had passed.

The Raleigh RM5 Supermatic Sports never existed…


Next—Following on from Evolution; (Jan 2015), and New Generation (Jan 2017), our next edition presents another follow-up on the subject of early Japanese mini-scooters.

This article has been in the tubes for five years, and is particularly interesting as it includes the ultimate technical development of the mechanical/automatic motor, before the simpler, cheaper, more versatile, though bland, CVT took over the world…


This article appeared in the April 2023 Iceni CAM Magazine.
[Text & road test machine photographs © 2023 M Daniels]


Library

Raleigh documents in the On-line Library:

Activator leaflet 1993-07

Agreement with Motobecane article 1960-11

Blue Streak article 1960-01-01

Clubman article 1948-02

Cycles adverts 1906

Cycles adverts 1938

Cycles adverts 1939

Cycles adverts 1940

Cycles adverts 1948

Cycles adverts 1949 a

Cycles adverts 1949 b

Cycles adverts 1950 a

Cycles adverts 1950 b

Cycles adverts 1956

Cycles adverts 1957

Cycles advert 1955-08-20

Cycles article 1906-11-16

Cycles article 1947-06

Cycles article 1947-12

Cycles article 1950-02

Cycles article 1956-03-03

Cycles article 1956-10-27

Cycles article 1962-10-19

Cycles catalogue 1929

Cycles catalogue 1930

Cycles catalogue 1937

Cycles catalogue 1938

Cycles catalogue 1952

Cycles catalogue 1955

Cycles catalogue 1957

Cycles catalogue 1958

Cycles catalogue 1959

Cycles catalogue 1965

Cycles catalogue 1967

Cycles catalogue 1977-08

Cycles catalogue 1994-02

Cycles catalogue 1995-06

Cycles catalogue 1996-02

Cycles catalogue 1997-02

Cycles handbook 1956

Cycles handbook 1959

Cycles handbook 1970s

Cycles handbook 1979

Cycles handbook 1996

Cycles poster 1956

Cycles price card

Cycles speed range 1962

Cycles trade cards 1957

Dealer convention 1961-11

Factory article 1957-08-31

Factory article 1957-09-14

Ikes Doctor poster 1956-03-22

Ireland article 1949-06

Junior cycles catalogue 1971-06

Junior cycles catalogue 1996-01

Junior cycles catalogue 1996-06

Lancer advert 1960-07-29

Lenton Sports road test 1946-09-25

Lenton Sports road test 1949-03-23

Mopeds + scooters cutting 1961-02-10

Mopeds cutting 1955-11-26

Moped + scooters parts trade prices 1968-02

Moped enamelled parts

Moped parts trade prices 1970-01

Moped parts trade prices 1971-03

Raleigh to Mobylette part number conversion 1971-01

Randonneur and Royal leaflet

Recession article 1961-01-27

Recession article 1961-02-10

Reorganisation article 1961-04-21

RM1c - RM2 Clutch parts list

RM1c - RM2 Clutch servicing 1959

RM1C article + advert 1959-05-08

RM1C road test 1959-04-18

RM1 + RM1C advert 1959-06

RM1 + RM2 frame parts 1960

RM1 + RM2 Service Memoranda 1960-05

RM1 adverts 1958-12

RM1 advert 1958-11

RM1 advert 1959-01

RM1 articles + adverts 1958-10-29

RM1 article + advert 1958-10-30

RM1 article 1958-11-05

RM1 Clutch fitting

RM1 Engine parts list 1959

RM1 frame parts 1958-10

RM1 frame parts 1959

RM1 leaflet 1958

RM1 Repair times 1958-10

RM1 road test 1958-12-17

RM1 Service Manual 1958

RM1 Trader service sheet 1959-01-16

RM2 advert 1960-07

RM2 article + advert 1960-01-15

RM2 leaflet (Tanganyika)

RM2 leaflet 1960

RM2 road test 1960-02-03

RM4-on service memoranda 1961 - 1969

RM4 + NM1 + PM1 spare parts

RM4 + RM5 advert 1961-04-21

RM4 + RM5 advert 1962-04-20

RM4 + RM5 instructions S2-B

RM4 + RM5 instructions S2 1961

RM4 + RM5 leaflet a

RM4 + RM5 leaflet b

RM4 + RM6 workshop manual

RM4 advert 1961-05

RM4 advert 1962-03-09

RM4 advert 1962-04-18

RM4 advert 1963-02

RM4 leaflet 1963

RM4 RM5 RS1 advert 1960-11-14

RM4 RM5 RS1 advert 1961-09

RM4 RM5 RS1 article 1960-12

RM4 road test 1961-07

RM4 road test 1961-08-23

RM4 spare parts 1961-07-25

RM5 - RM9 accessories

RM5 - RM9 leaflet 1968-11-23

RM5 - RM9 spare parts supplement 1966-01

RM5 - RM12 leaflet 1965 a

RM5 - RM12 leaflet 1965 b

RM5 - RM12 leaflet 1966

RM5 advert 1963-03

RM5 article 1961-11-22

RM5 instructions 1967

RM5 road test 1961-11-08

RM5 spare parts

RM5 spare parts 1961-07-25

RM5 workshop manual

RM6 accessories

RM6 advert 1963-06

RM6 article 1963-05

RM6 Canadian parts supplement 1966-03

RM6 display cards 1963-05

RM6 instructions

RM6 road test 1963-07

RM6 spare parts c1964

RM6 spare partxs

RM8 + RM9 workshop manual

RM8 cutting 1963-11

RM8 cutting 1963-12

RM8 instructions 1st edition

RM8 instructions 2nd edition

RM8 road test 1964-03

RM8 spare parts

RM9 article 1964-07

RM9 cutting 1964 07

RM9 instructions

RM9 road test 1964-11

RM9 spare parts

RM11 road test 1965-12

RM11 spare parts

RM12 instructions

RM12 Lennon auction listing 1981-12-22

RM12 pacemaker cutting 1967-07-07

RM12 spare parts

RM12 workshop manual

RS1-RS3 spare parts

RS1 advert 1961-03-10

RS1 advert 1961-04-21

RS1 advert 1961-05

RS1 advert 1962-04

RS1 advert 1962-07

RS1 article 1961-07-20

RS1 article 1962-03-23

RS1 instructions

RS1 spare parts

RS1 workshop manual

RS2 article 1962-11

RS2 road test 1962-10

RSW16 advert 1966-05-27

RSW16 MkII advert 1966-12-08

RSW16 MkII cutting 1966-09-01

RSW Compact adverts 1966

Spare parts bag

Sprite leaflet 1970

Trade adverts 1964

Trade adverts 1965

Wisp adverts 1967-02

Wisp advert 1967-03-31

Wisp article 1967-04-14

Wisp leaflet 1967

Wisp price ticket 1967-05-06

Wisp road test 1967-06 a

Wisp road test 1967-06 b

Wisp service dealers + guarantee card 1967-05-06

Wisp spares + servicing 1967


Making Corporate Colours & RM5SS

Our second article started with an introduction to Raleigh’s early corporate colours period to set the context for the presentation of our RM5 Supermatic Sports concept model.  Initially created by Rob Robinson (London) for his personal use, but sold on to help finance a Saab V4 car restoration project; Mopedland acquired the project in 2022, adapting several aspects, and further developing the final drive ratio to improve the performance.

The RM5SS was a special that really could have been built in 1963, and presented a possible vision of an alternative reality.  Customised bikes of all sorts are very popular, and often individual, with the addition of bolt-on performance goodies, but we think the best specials are the more subtle examples where people readily accept them as genuine original machines because they look authentic.

The RM5SS falls right into this category, with its weathered paintwork, tarnished and rust pitted chromework, and original Raleigh badges adapted to the Motobécane Spéciale top tank.  All goes to reinforce the original and unrestored appearance where repainted finish and shiny chromework would be far less credible.  The Airsal GAC Mobylette standard 50cc and 65.5cc & 72.5cc big-bore kits have been around for a while, and it’s been getting well overdue that we should have tested one, so it was convenient that the RM5SS came with one fitted to replace the trashed original cylinder when the bike was rebuilt.

As for Raleigh’s foray into a standard corporate colour scheme, maybe as more models were added, and by the time they got to four*, somebody started to realise that they all looked the same and, in the charcoal grey and pearl grey scheme, they were all drab.  Once the penny dropped, the dumb idea of corporate drab was quickly out, and a world of colour was suddenly in.

* RM4, RM5, RM8.  For anyone wondering what the fourth model was, well, that’s a story for another day … unless you can figure it out?


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