splash07s

I have the original Raleigh Grand Prix that My Father Purchased in Tuscaloosa Alabama new. It has seen some use over the years so I decided to restore it. The bike is white with black bars on the down tube and the seat tube. I did take measurements and pictures of the paint and stickers but seem to have lost my notes. Can anyone tell me how long the black sections are and where on the tubes they are to be placed? (ie. mm from head tube/mm from BB) thanks in advance. there are some pictures of what I'm talking about.

obuckler

Wow, I love the paint scheme, I just stripped mine which is the same color but a 1972, so it has the older style decals. I have all my measurements, it is based on a 25.5 inch frame, cannot tell for sure but yours looks close to that. When I get home I can send them. I did a tracing essentially. You are ahead of me, I am hoping to prime mine this Friday. I do know the chrome socks on mine were 6.5 inches up from the tip of the dropout.

And I noticed when stripping that the black was laid down first, I planned to do it that way as I figured the reason was there was less to mask to prevent overspray that way, although it seems counter-intuitive...meaning you would think it would be easier to cover black over white, not the other way around. Either way will work I am sure.

What kind of paint did you use?

Where are you going to get your decals? Especially interested if you can find any of the stripes that are accurate and do not cost $40...was planning to fake that with auto striping but do like the original look.

splash07s

I found my decals here CYCLOMONDO - Raleigh Decals
I think my frame size is 23.5 because that was the largest frame offered in 1974 for the white model, if I remember correctly yours was before they changed the decals and was offered in blue, bronze green, and red with frame sizes up to 25.5 and also had black on the top tube which the later models do away with. Sheldon Brown had a good database here Retro Raleighs: The Grand Prix. I actually had the frame powder coated, I know its not keeping with the original style but it was a good deal and will hopefully last longer. The guy actually dipped the whole frame is stripper so it is all nice and cleaned up. I did not have him do the black because he would have to lay the black over the white and with powder coating he would have to mask off everything else which would almost double the cost of the job. he charged $120 for the frame and fork in a solid color, to add the black parts would make the price jump to $250 due to masking labor. I plan to paint the black on with rattle can paint.

obuckler

Ok. This may help but have no idea if the black panel change sizes with different frame sizes. For placement in I measured from the tip of the lug on top of the tube or font of the tube for the seat tube -- that is why I darkened the lugs in the drawing to emphasize where I measured from. If pic doesn't help I can write it up.

splash07s

OK, that is def a great start and from what I can remember that sounds about right, I took my measurements in mm so in converting it seems about the same as I recall. Anyone else have a mid 70's Raleigh Grand Prix in a 23.5 frame size want to weigh in?

splash07s

Also, on the seat tube, is there as much space below the black section as is above it? That would solve the problem of frame size if it was just centered on the tube.

Wildwood 

Good on ya for restoring a nice bike.
My son the mountain biker (also my size), will have the opportunity to receive a few nice road bikes.
Who knows what shape they will be in.

I have an off-white Austro Daimler that could be a candidate for powdercoat, but not as bad as your starting point.

obuckler

On the seat tube from top to bottom bracket measuring inside the lug tips on front: (inches) 6.25/ black panel 9.25/6.75

splash07s

OK thanks, im pretty sure I can go from there. Anyone else have anything to ad?

John E

That was one of several very good-looking paint-and-decal schemes from that era. Keep us posted on your progress!

splash07s

Bump

Thought i would update, I have yet to paint the black bc I wnat to be absolutely sure about how long those black sections are. Anyone with a mid 70's grand prix in a 23.5 size frame?

big chainring 

The measurements by "obuckler" are what I measure on my '69 Grand Prix, except my black panel on the top tube is 5". The '69 model has a different letter font so perhaps that is why the black top tube panel is larger.

Good luck with your frame. Definitely one of the classic paint jobs of the era.

splash07s

Thanks, though I am fairly certain the paint was a little different on the late 60's and early 70's grand prixs. Also I am wondering if the paint was different based on the frame size. I appreciate the replies

redneckwes

Hold tight until tonight, I thing the Gazelle built G.P. In the basement might be in the same scheme. And it is also 23.5".

splash07s

Does anyone know if these black sections were painted or were part f the decals. The replica decals are just the lettering and I have heard that the black sections were also part of the decals. Anyone able to shed some light on the subject.
I would think if the black was a decal then it would be offered with the decal kits I have seen online but no one seems to have them.

redneckwes

The black sections are painted. The details are decalled

redneckwes

splash07s

Thanks a ton redneck, I would assume the downtube section is the same size?

redneckwes

Yes, 8"

splash07s

All done

obuckler

Very nice. Will be a sharp ride, make sure you post the final build at least. You took some time to get this done I see. As do I. When I read these threads, I am amazed as how fast time-wise some of the builds go. Mine take months which can mean up to a year. I just got my decals in and they have been sitting around for a week now...!

USAZorro

Very impressive result. Well done!

splash07s

Thanks, and yes I am the same way. This took me several months to get around to. I had the white done by powdercoat and then I have been putting off painting the black myself. Finally did it and then had to stay up all night putting on the decals. The decals were super easy though and I highly recommend cyclemondo from Australia for anyone who needs replica decals. he even made me several extra pinstripes and a made in england decal that he did not charge extra for.