Old bike: Worth doing up? If not, for sale!

Home:Ballyhoura · 04-12-2008 5:30pm #1

Hi, I have an old bike which would need a lot of maintenance before it could be used. The frame in a 56/58cm Raleigh with a nice metallic pale orange colour. It has Wolber Aspin tubular wheels. There is a bit of rusting on the frame, but a lot of the components may need replacing. Tyres are ripped, cables are frozed etc. I am wondering if it is even worth doing up? I do not want to spend much on it at all, as it is not for me but a possible present! What do you think I could do with it? Like what would need replacing and roughly how much money is involved? If it is completely useless, I might sell the frame!

niceonetom · 04-12-2008 5:33pm

fix it.

Chips Lovell · 04-12-2008 5:36pm

1993 just called and wants its bartape back.

Amazotheamazing · 04-12-2008 5:37pm

May as well fix it, I can't imagine you'd get too much for it.

That being said, it can be hard to come across old racers, I was looking for steel-framed one for a friend for ages.

Thomas_S_Hunterson · 04-12-2008 5:50pm

That bar-tape is criminal, especially with the brown hoods on the brake levers.

Home:Ballyhoura · 04-12-2008 5:57pm

How much money and time do you think it would take to get it up and running again?

Home:Ballyhoura · 04-12-2008 5:59pm

How much money and time do you think it would take to get it up and running again?

Caroline_ie · 04-12-2008 6:09pm

Nurse it back to health and keep it, i know I would... give it a chance for a come back ...:pac:

fish-head · 04-12-2008 6:10pm

Lord knows how much it'd cost to do it up really... it's all down to you.

Home:Ballyhoura · 04-12-2008 6:27pm

I did a quick estimation on CRC there, and here are my findings:

22 BRAKES
17 BARS
30 PEDALS
17 STEM
17 CABLES
5 TAPES

So, for around €100 I could have it looking good again. I'm not sure if I really need some of these items, maybe the money would be better spent on the drivetrain. Another €100 could get me clincher wheels (I really don't like the sound of tubulars!) But I don't see that happening. et me know what you think! Thanks

AstraMonti · 04-12-2008 6:56pm

el tonto wrote: »

1993 just called and wants its bartape back.

HAHAHAHAHAHA i am on the floor.. literally hahahaha

Al Wright · 04-12-2008 10:35pm

The transfer at the down tube shifters look like Reynolds logo, possibly 531 steel, I was looking for such a frame last year. I wouldn't spend too much on components, keep whats on it if in fair condition. Inspect/regrease bottom bracket, if too much wear replace with modern cassette unit. The chainset appears to be 50/40, typical freewheel of the time was 12 to 28, you may need better ratio for hill riding. The old wheels look like steel rims rims, if Alu rims, are likely to be single skin so check for brake wear. Replace all the brake cables.
I use a similar model for leisure cycling, the braking performance and wheels weren't up to what was needed for commuting in town.

Niallface · 04-12-2008 11:28pm

i pulled an old raleigh chiltern covered in concrete out of a skip a while back now it looks like this http://www.flickr.com/photos/21320054@N06/3080631026/ but yes it takes a while if you want to do a nice job. my bike is also a fixie for simplicity sake.

Hungrycol · 05-12-2008 10:55am

OMG I have that bike up in my attic and only retired it about 3 or 4 years ago. It's a Raleigh Campagnolo Gran Sport Reynolds 531c, one of Raleigh's Lightweight Division way back in the early 80's, lovely egg shell orange colour too. I cold set the rear triangle to fit modern 9/10 speed wheels but c0cked it up and misaligned the frame. I also put in a seat post that didn't really fit and it's a little cracked there now too

Didn't have the heart to throw it out as it has served me very well for 15 or so years.

Long Live the Gran Sport...... Make it into a fixy or singler.

Old bike: Worth doing up? If not, for sale!

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