Hello all,
I don’t have much experience with C&V bikes but I have been reading quite a lot in this wonderful forum and elsewhere. I was looking for a low-budget project to improve my wrenching skills, have something to tinker with, and turn into a decent vintage rider -- for me, not to sell.
I picked up this Raleigh for $25; I love the lugwork and fork... realized after I got it home that it (of course) had more issues than I had realized, including a very stuck stem and seatpost. I got frustrated with it and put it away for a couple months. Today I had a massive wrestling match with it in the back yard, and, amazingly, emerged victorious.
The serial # is 2772778, which seems to place it as early- to mid- 60s vintage. Does anyone know anything beyond that -- what model is it, etc? It has a Suntour Superbe sticker low on the seattube, but the rear der. is a Suntour GT and the front is a Suntour 7. Simplex DT shifters. Weinmann centerpull brakes (I do have the hanger and all the parts).
Does it seem worth it to make this a very-low-budget project? Not going for period correct, just trying to make a nice rider. It is definitely my size. I probably wouldn’t be able to spend much more than $100... There’s a lot of rust but only those spots on the bottom of the chainstays look potentially worrisome to me. Would you agree?
Things I would definitely need:
tires, seatpost, cables & housing, brake pads, specialty tools?
Things that would be nice:
new stem, alloy wheels, newer crankset? (obviously would be looking for bargain vintage stuff)
What else am I not thinking of? What would you look to upgrade? Would you give it a rattlecan paint job?
Thank you so much for any information, advice, or suggestions!
