Help me I.D.My Mystery Euro Bicycle

[clownracing]

When I first saw this bike in pics, I thought it was a common, huffy of the late 70's or something. Then, when I went to pick it up. It had aluminum fenders, a really cool seat and a lugged frame. So, I thought it was an old Raleigh. After looking at the serial #, it does not appear to be a Raleigh(though, maybe made by Raleigh). I only know that that its a little different. The sprocket is different, the seat is different, the aluminum fenders are different and it looks like it used to have an aluminum chain guard. But I can't seem to figure out what the bike actually is. I can only guess mid 60's, since it has a 333 3-speed hub. I do plan on restoring it. But depending on what it is, will determine as to how I restore it. I have asked some local bicycle shops and no one seems to know. No one seems to care about an old 3-speed bike, which explains how I got it for $12.00, but I care. If you can help me, I would Greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!
Rocky

http://photobucket.com/MysteryEuroBicycle

[nfmisso]

Total guess - Royce Union made in Japan, mid 60's - looks a lot like one my dad had.

[Bill]

Just out of a total guess maybe it has different parts thrown on it?

[silverarrow]

I'm not sure how old this post is but I post a reply anyhow. If it has 26 x 1 1/2 inch wheels (xx-584 tires) I lean towards European, they were standard on French, Dutch, Scandinavian and German made bikes up until some time in early to mid 1980's. If the weels are 26 x 1 3/8, (xx-590) I would lean towards British made, but even used on Japanese/US made bikes. In Europe, at least North of the Alps, the gear hubs was by far either Sachs or Sturmey Archer (3-4 and 5 speed), and not until some time around 1980 did the Japanese brand become more widely used. On US and Japanese made bikes Shimano 3 speeds were common early on.