Raleigh mopeds—a spotter’s guide

Raleigh’s first moped was introduced in 1958 with an engine designed by Vincento Piatti—the designer of Mini-Motor.  Raleigh became part of the Tube Investments group of companies in 1960; this brought the Raleigh, Norman, Phillips and Hercules brands of moped under the same ownership.  The obvious course of action was to rationalise these four ranges into one common series.  It was decided to license the Mobylette range of mopeds produced by Motobécane in France.  A ‘stop gap’ based on the Sachs-engined Nippy aready being produced by Norman was sold in Ireland until the Mobylette-based models were in production.  From then on, Raleigh, Phillips and Norman mopeds were effectively re-badged Mobylettes.  The main exception to this was the Wisp, which, although it used Mobylette running gear, had an in-house frame.  This frame was based on Raleigh’s RSW16 bicycle and was an attempt to take advantage of the ‘small-wheel’ boom being enjoyed in the cycle industry as a result of the success of the Moulton bicycle.  Production of Raleigh mopeds ceased in 1971.

RM1 Moped

Introduced October 1958

Discontinued December 1959

Lady’s bicycle style frame, Sturmey–Archer engine, ‘fixed’ engine (no clutch), 6½ pint fuel tank, 26×2 wheels & tyres, colour: grey, drum brakes

RM1C Moped

Introduced May 1959

Discontinued December 1959

As RM1 but with the addition of a manual clutch and coupled brakes.  Clutch kit also available to convert RM1 to RM1C.

RM2C Moped MkII

Introduced January 1960

Discontinued October 1960

Similar to RM1C but with one gallon fuel tank and lower gear ratio, grey frame, maroon tank and engine covers.

RM3

Prototype only

Raleigh did not produce an RM3 but there was a prototype that looked much like an updated RM2.  It had smaller wheels, telescopic forks, and more enclosing bodywork.  It used an updated version of the Sturmey–Archer engine that had the magneto moved to the right-hand side and an automatic powder clutch on the left.  The merger with TI and the subsequent agreement with Motobécane brought an end to the project.

RM4 Automatic

Following the merger of Raleigh and TI, it was decided to produce an entirely new range of mopeds rather than continue any of the existing ranges.

Announced November 1960

In production February 1961

Discontinued February 1964

Same frame and engine as the Mobylette—built under licence from Motobécane in France.  Single-speed, automatic clutch, rigid frame, telescopic front forks, drum brakes.  Charcoal Grey & Pearl Grey.

RM5 Supermatic

Announced November 1960

In production February 1961

Discontinued September 1969

Same frame and engine as the Mobylette—built under licence from Motobécane in France.  Variable-speed, automatic clutch, leading-link forks, swinging arm, drum brakes, dual seat.  Charcoal Grey & Pearl Grey

June 1965: Telescopic front forks fitted.  Fire Red & Pearl Grey.

September 1965: Legshields fitted as standard equipment

December 1965: Fire red & Pearl Grey or Neptune Blue & Pearl Grey

Super

Not really a Raleigh at all, the Super was a Norman Nippy with a Sachs engine made for Raleigh (Ireland) Ltd because Raleigh’s initial agreement with Motobécane did not allow the RM4 & RM5 to be exported to Ireland.  Sale of the RM4 & RM5 was permitted from November 1961 but the Super was sold until the end of 1962 to clear the stock of frames.

1961–62

Sachs-engined moped based on the frame pressings used by the Norman Nippy.

RM6 Runabout

Introduced May 1963

Discontinued February 1971

Similar to RM4 but with cycle-type forks (unsprung) and calliper front brake.  Fuel tank mounted over rear wheel.  Raleigh Green & Pearl Grey

June 1965: Raleigh Green & Pearl Grey, or Neptune Blue (single colour).

November 1965: Specification changed to that of the Runabout de Luxe.

January 1965: Neptune Blue (single colour).

January 1967: Royal Blue (single colour).

RM6 Runabout de luxe

Introduced July 1965

Discontinued November 1965

More powerful engine that the standard RM6.  Royal Carmine (single colour).

RM6 Runabout Super de luxe

Introduced November 1965

Discontinued September 1969

Same as Runabout de Luxe but with legshields fitted as standard equipment.  Royal Carmine (single colour).

RM6 Runabout Pop

Introduced October 1966

Discontinued February 1967

Cheaper version of Runabout—finished in black.

RM7 Wisp

Introduced April 1967

Discontinued September 1969

Small-wheel (16×2) ‘shopper bike’ style moped based on the Raleigh RSW16 bicycle frame.  Initially was to be called the ‘R16 Powerride’ but re-named ‘Wisp’ for production.  Single speed, finished in Fiesta Blue or Spanish Gold.

RM8 Automatic MkII

Announced December 1963

In production March 1964

Discontinued September 1969

Similar to RM6 but with more powerful engine, telescopic front forks and drum brakes front and rear.  Charcoal Grey & Pearl Grey

June 1965: Charcoal Grey & Pearl Grey, or Royal Blue & Pearl Grey.

January 1966: Royal Blue & Pearl Grey.

RM9 Ultramatic

Introduced April 1964

Discontinued September 1969

Similar to RM8 but with automatic variable speed transmission.  Fire Red & Pearl Grey.

November 1965: Golden Sand.

February 1968: Calypso Coffee & Pearl Grey (offered for a few months only), or Royal Carmine (single colour).

RM9+1 Ultramatic plus One

Introduced November 1966

Discontinued September 1969

Same as the Ultramatic but with dual-seat, pillion foot rests and stronger rear wheel.  Golden Sand.

February 1968: Calypso Coffee & Pearl Grey (offered for a few months only), or Royal Carmine (single colour).

RM10 Autocrat

Prototype only

A bit like a De Luxe version of the Wisp with two-tone bodywork.

RM11 Super Tourist

Introduced January 1966

Discontinued July 1967

Touring moped—similar to Supermatic, rigid frame, telescopic forks, motor cycle style fuel tank.  Royal Carmine.

RM12 Super 50

Introduced June 1965

Discontinued July 1967

Sports moped—similar to Supermatic, rigid frame, telescopic forks, motor cycle style fuel tank.  Black & Neptune Blue.

1966: Pearl Grey with Fire Red trim.