My Raleigh Gran Sport Photo Shoot
05-05-13, 04:47 PM
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curmudgineer
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My Raleigh Gran Sport Photo Shoot
Hey gang,
I finally got my GS unpacked & reassembled, after shunting her cross country back and forth in a box for approximately 4000 cumulative miles. I had all the mods & esthetic updates/restorations ready to go, & got her put together & ready to go this weekend.
Also went for a maiden voyage in her new incarnation today; she's a sweet ride for sure.
I don't know her provenance, but I believe she's a 76 model, and her previous owner(s) treated her well.
Changes, maintenance & additions made by me since my acquisition are minor:
The GS aficionado among us may notice there's quite an eclectic assortment of equipment on this bike. Everything is period correct, but here is a list of what deviates from the catalog specs:
I finally got my GS unpacked & reassembled, after shunting her cross country back and forth in a box for approximately 4000 cumulative miles. I had all the mods & esthetic updates/restorations ready to go, & got her put together & ready to go this weekend.
Also went for a maiden voyage in her new incarnation today; she's a sweet ride for sure.
I don't know her provenance, but I believe she's a 76 model, and her previous owner(s) treated her well.
Changes, maintenance & additions made by me since my acquisition are minor:
- correct weinmann brake levers with white Carlton hoods (Thanks to Matt Keller!) - existing were correct Weinmann with gum hoods
- white cable housing for brake & shifter cables
- toe clips & white leather straps
- 45 tooth inner chainring
- Suntour Ultra freewheel, 14-15-16-18-21-24
- SR Laprade seat post (extra tall I needed for fitting)
- GB Randonneur handlebar (Thanks again to Matt Keller!)
- White foam bar tape
The GS aficionado among us may notice there's quite an eclectic assortment of equipment on this bike. Everything is period correct, but here is a list of what deviates from the catalog specs:
- SR "World Randonneur" handlebar (changed by me to GB Randonneur)
- Campy NR shifters & FD
- Crane GS RD (which I'm planning to replace with garden variety Crane from my stash)
- SR all-alloy pedals, not sure of the model, but they're very sweet
Last edited by old's'cool; 05-06-13 at 05:55 PM.
05-05-13, 04:48 PM
#2
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05-05-13, 04:53 PM
#3
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05-05-13, 05:31 PM
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curmudgineer
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More Photos
She's got her share of patina, but no more than fitting for a gal her age.
She's got her share of patina, but no more than fitting for a gal her age.
05-05-13, 06:05 PM
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Beautiful bike Old's'cool - Nothing could be finer than lagoon blue on a sunny spring afternoon. 
(Don't ride it untill you change that rubber though!)
(Don't ride it untill you change that rubber though!)
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05-05-13, 06:14 PM
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That is sooo nice. I would ride it with a longer stem.
05-05-13, 07:22 PM
#9
curmudgineer
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Stem's plenty long enough at the moment, in fact I might shorten 'er down a a tad. The tires seem pretty solid actually. In any case, I've been around the block a few times, and I can deal with unexpected tire failure. Since I'm not expecting failure, by definition, it would be unexpected. 
[on edit] Whoops, I misunderstood "longer stem" first time around... how embarasssing... I was focused on how much protrusion from the steerer, since I fiddled with that for a bit. Yes, I'm definitely thinking about a longitudinally longer stem. I believe I have at least one 100mm SR stemp in my stash of parts that's in storage and out of my reach at the moment. Shame, it's not as pretty as the current SR forged stem, but won't look out of place at any rate.
[on edit] Whoops, I misunderstood "longer stem" first time around... how embarasssing... I was focused on how much protrusion from the steerer, since I fiddled with that for a bit. Yes, I'm definitely thinking about a longitudinally longer stem. I believe I have at least one 100mm SR stemp in my stash of parts that's in storage and out of my reach at the moment. Shame, it's not as pretty as the current SR forged stem, but won't look out of place at any rate.
Last edited by old's'cool; 05-06-13 at 05:46 PM. Reason: oh dopey me
05-05-13, 08:19 PM
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curmudgineer
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Thanks for your concern; my aSSumption is that the reinforcement (be it nylon, cotton, kevlar, what have you?) is what keeps the tire from assploding. A few cracks in the rubber cover don't concern me a great deal, if they are not right on the tread that contacts the pavement.
05-05-13, 08:36 PM
#12
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Old's Cool,
I hear you on that missing pedal cap. I have a SR set missing a cap and they are hard to find. I have SP-155. The real joy is that nothing else will fit to take its place.
Good luck with your hunt ! Mine continues.... Oh yea, very nice bike ! I have a 61 Raleigh Gran Sport myself.
I hear you on that missing pedal cap. I have a SR set missing a cap and they are hard to find. I have SP-155. The real joy is that nothing else will fit to take its place.
Good luck with your hunt ! Mine continues.... Oh yea, very nice bike ! I have a 61 Raleigh Gran Sport myself.
05-05-13, 08:37 PM
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Thanks for your concern; my aSSumption is that the reinforcement (be it nylon, cotton, kevlar, what have you?) is what keeps the tire from assploding. A few cracks in the rubber cover don't concern me a great deal, if they are not right on the tread that contacts the pavement.
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05-06-13, 01:18 AM
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Looks really nice. Glad I could help with a couple of parts that you needed. I guess the fit does look a little odd. Is the frame smaller than usual for you?
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05-06-13, 05:54 PM
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curmudgineer
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Thanks again my friend! 
You're right, the frame is a little bit smaller than my usual, but well within adjustment range with longer seat post (already in use) & stem (planned).
As long as I can get the seat high enough for my legs, and a combination of top tube & stem that is comfortably long enough, I'm good with a frame this size, as I like to ride the drops nice & low for good aero & taking more weight on my upper body vs my butt.
At any rate, the GS was my grail bike and I'm tickled to have found this very nice example. I'm not sure I'd be any better off with a frame the next size up, though I'm sure it would be quite comfortable for me as well.
You're right, the frame is a little bit smaller than my usual, but well within adjustment range with longer seat post (already in use) & stem (planned).
As long as I can get the seat high enough for my legs, and a combination of top tube & stem that is comfortably long enough, I'm good with a frame this size, as I like to ride the drops nice & low for good aero & taking more weight on my upper body vs my butt.
At any rate, the GS was my grail bike and I'm tickled to have found this very nice example. I'm not sure I'd be any better off with a frame the next size up, though I'm sure it would be quite comfortable for me as well.
05-06-13, 06:32 PM
#17
~>~
Nice, the old girl looks to be in very good nick.
I assembled a bunch of those 'in the day', very much favored by our local touring club.
The Crane GS was a recommend upgrade for that model, keep it in service it was 'the hot set-up'. (edit) Ah, I see you are not running wide-range and have a standard Crane. Sweet, I raced on one and loved it in that period: Agree.
Now that I think about it there is a Crane GS in a parts box from the 1st time I converted my International to Touring Mode, very nice kit.
Enjoy,
-Bandera
I assembled a bunch of those 'in the day', very much favored by our local touring club.
The Crane GS was a recommend upgrade for that model, keep it in service it was 'the hot set-up'. (edit) Ah, I see you are not running wide-range and have a standard Crane. Sweet, I raced on one and loved it in that period: Agree.
Now that I think about it there is a Crane GS in a parts box from the 1st time I converted my International to Touring Mode, very nice kit.
Enjoy,
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 05-06-13 at 06:41 PM. Reason: editing
05-06-13, 07:16 PM
#18
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Nice Bike, I just love classic Raleighs....I just notice the drop to the bars....Holy cow that's drop!!!
05-06-13, 07:40 PM
#19
curmudgineer
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If you think my saddle to stem drop is radical, take a look at CanyonEagle.
05-07-13, 02:15 AM
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What size is your frame? 58cm?
Not saying you'd be interested, but maybe there could be a frame swap between the two of us? Mine is white, similar vintage and similar condition... only slightly larger.
Not saying you'd be interested, but maybe there could be a frame swap between the two of us? Mine is white, similar vintage and similar condition... only slightly larger.
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|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
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05-07-13, 03:50 AM
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What a lovely old Raleigh. It would have been quite eye-catching in it's day and, what do you know, it's still eye-catching today. I love the mix of components and I would imagine thought went into each and every one of them.
05-07-13, 09:31 AM
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If you want a longer stem, go for a GB. I find them with some frequency at the local co-op. I could keep my eyes peeled for one if you like.
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05-07-13, 06:13 PM
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