bikerosity57

I always wanted to some how get hold of one of those, and outfit it entirely with Campagnolo "gran sport" components. In fact I've got a new old stock component groupo that I have been assembling over the last few years almost complete. I need only to find a used bike like yours(beautifully dome by the way, absolutely wonderful!) to build up.
Congradulations on a really fine job, and thanks for not turning it into a fixed gear monstrosity!

bikerosity57

I ususally don't like fixed gear conversion crap, but this bike I like.

mkeller234

The "popular" fenders have a flat domed shape over the tire, the club fenders have a ridge down the middle. I think the club fenders may be a bit deeper and hang further down the side of the tires too.

mkeller234

Ha, thank you. Someday I would like to try a fixed gear build, but not on this bike. I would probably build one if it just came as a frame, because what do you have to lose?

AiredaleII

Great job! Wonderful images too, so nice to see the before and after. I would love to see more threads like this one. A 'Before and After' thread might make a good Sticky in C&V

jamesj

I know i always say this but i want one of those!!!!!
i wish i could find frames like that out here in the desert...

Christian.

I hope you don't mind if I jump on the Gran Sport band wagon. I spent the last few weeks resurrecting this 1975 Raleigh into my winter bike.


I looked for a while on CL and some local classifieds web sites, but I could not see anything that was appropriate for a winter bike. I actually purchased the bike from a local shop called The Recycled Bike. They purchase bikes from estate sales, garage sales, and the like from some more affluent neighborhoods in Salt Lake so they come across some pretty cool bikes ever once in a while. Not a bad starting point, but...

many of the components were seized or corroded beyond repair...sad for such a nice saddle.

As you can see the 531 steel was starting to pit and being that I was going to winter ride this bike in SLC, UT where we salt our roads, I had to take care of the current oxidation so I could protect the bike from further corrosion. Below are some links to additional before pictures:
Raleigh Bike Profile (2)
Raleigh Head Tube
Raleigh Renyolds 531 Sticker
Raleigh Renyolds 531 Fork
Raleigh Downtube Shifters
Raleigh Top Tube
Raleigh Front
Raleigh Seat Tube
Raleigh Front Derailleur
Raleigh Rear Brake
Raleigh Rear Derailleur
Raleigh Serial #

My usual hobby (and profession) is working on Japanese sports cars. I've had to switch to a more affordable hobby due to focusing my funds on helping my mother with her house payments after her surprise heart surgery and paying off my school loan. I am about 80% finished with acquiring parts for a killer, wide bodied Subaru GF wagon build...but that will have to wait.

I am not as good with bikes, but I am decent mechanically. I've been reading a few bike maintenance books, but as with many things...I think experience will be a better teacher so I am trying to do what I can along the way. I chose a unique powder coat color to match the color of one of the funner cars I am building/restoring. The color is called Championship White after Honda's F1 team colors, but some of my co-workers like to call it man-goo white.

For those that are not familiar with Japanese sports cars, this is a hand-built 1998 Acura Integra Type R with a JDM ITR front end conversion. Fully built engine, transmission, and a bunch of other go-fast goodies. I am going through this to restore it for a friend's family. Back to the somewhat finished product...

How does she look? The badge will go on as soon as I find the properly sized rivets.

Hopefully not bad for my first build...and second post on these forums.

I know these are not traditional British fenders, but these Planet Bike Hardcore 45mm fenders kick ass IMO. I went with a MTB 9-speed rear cassette so I could use this for the occasional canyon ride. I am not good enough to crank my road bike up those Utah hills. Below are some additional finished pictures:
Raleigh 2
Raleigh Bar Wrap

I will continue to refine the bike as funds and time allows.

Comments, criticism, and suggestions are all welcome,
Christian.

Bikedued

A friend of mine has one of these. He beat me to it by a couple of minutes, at a bike swap a couple of years ago.,,,,BD

It looks like you need to cut about 8-10 inches of shifter housing off of both sides?

USAZorro

I think it's closer to 5".

mkeller234

I don't mind the extra pictures at all, in fact I invite them. I like seeing all the little differences in between each bike. Everyone feel free to post a picture of your gran sport.

My frame rusted the same way that yours did but was not as far along.

Bikedued

Well once it's cut, we'll find the actual length. Then we can see who was closer.,,,,BD

mkeller234

The interesting thing... well to me anyway, is that my Raleigh does not have a serial number on the bottom bracket shell. There is a number stamped into the left rear drop out but it does not seem to match the identified Raleigh serial number formats.

I also noticed a marking on the front dropout I have no idea who's marking this is, simplex?:

Sixty Fiver

And here I was, expecting some hate...

My GS was my primary road bike for quite some time until a Ron Cooper usurped it's position and since my beloved old Peugeot fg is awaiting a new fork I needed a fixed road bike in the stable.

And since I had been wanting to try some decoupage for a very long time... I went with a coffee house theme.

mkeller234

That looks pretty cool, I like the carlton decal peeking out! What is the cable stop on the seat stay? Is that just to mount the rack?

Sixty Fiver

I was out of p clips so used a pair of cable stops... should probably replace those now that I have restocked the p clips.



And I could never cover the Carlton decal.

Grand Bois

Thank you for that! I've got a set of Club Specials on their way. Aluminum fenders are just too easily damaged.

The various Bluemels models would be a nice addition to Velobase.

Sixty Fiver

I feel like I should hate the decoupage, but I like it very much!

redneckwes

https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/bluemels/bluemels.htm

I need a set of "Classique" in white.

Sixty Fiver

I have Bluemel Populars on my '55 Lenton... they were not in perfect shape when I got them but neither is the Lenton so they match up really well.

cudak888 

Definitely Simplex.

-Kurt

P.S.: Sorry - had to bump this up. A bike as beautiful as your fendered G.S. does not deserve page #3.

mkeller234

Thanks, Kurt that is very flattering. I was thinking about bumping it up with some updated pictures. I added a pair of handlebar mounted bottle cages and repainted the faded stripe decals on the seat tube.

I went out for a 25ish mile ride on it this afternoon and I may be looking for a slightly shorter stem.

mkeller234

Ok, here are some quick pictures. Not good pictures but they will do.

Here are the gold stripes. Done over top of the half gone decals with a gold paint pen:




Here are the bottle cages. I used a minoura double cage mount that centers across the stem. The cages are stainless Elites. Not totally classic but it I do like the bottle placement. I mostly did not want to use clamp on cages.

Bikedued

There's a bare frame on craigslist right now in Houston. I think it belongs to someone I know, and why he didn't
call me I'll never know. Trying to get in touch with him right now. I have everything to build it up, from my
mystery Prugnat lugged Super Course, including a Huret Jubilee.,,,,BD

Bikedued

Yep, it was a friend of that friend. I am probably going to pick it up sometime this afternoon...Sweet! I have white bluemels too,,,,BD

mkeller234

Awesome. It's good to have friends with nice stuff!

Mike Mills

So, you're saying this restoration did not include a new coat of paint??? WOW! You done good!