Classic & Vintage - Looking to fix up or SELL 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix

Hello all! I am looking to either fix up or sell a 1974 Raleigh Grand Prix. It is in very good condition--mainly needs a good tune up and some new tubes. Other than that, it is a reliable bike. I rode it daily for a year when I lived in the Bay Area, but I have since moved to the mid-west where it seems like there is no safe place to ride. According to what I have read, the serial number (GM418406) means that it was made in Holland in September of 1974. I will post pics tonight when I get home. Any thoughts of what would be a reasonable asking price? Thanks! :thumb:

If you mod it like this one, you'll rake in some money:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1974-English-Raleigh-Grand-Prix-Vintage-Single-Speed_W0QQitemZ170233548417QQihZ007QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Otherwise, if it's in excellent condition, you might get $100 but more likely $50.

Neal

I saw that one on eBay and I loved the look of it! I wonder what it will go for? Thanks for your response!

Here are pics as promised...

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/Bike.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3140.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3143.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3145.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3147.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3148.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3149.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g285/guero_loco/IMG_3150.jpg

I had a Raleigh Grand Prix when I was in my teens and want one again. I know you posted this in 2008 and now it's 2011. Did you ever sell it? If not, are you still looking to sell it and if so what size is the frame?

Thanks, Lindy

He hasn't posted here in 3 years I think you are out of luck

Geez, you'll never find another 70's Raleigh Grand Prix, either. Those are like hen's teeth. Bummer.

I currently own four Raleigh Grand Prix bikes - all from '73 or '74 as far as I can tell. These bikes were probably the most common Raleigh bikes sold in the US during the '70s bike boom, so they're almost literally ten a penny. I picked one up last week in good original condition for $65 and I'm picking up my latest acquisition tomorrow for $50.

Personally, I don't see why they don't fetch more money. They're a nice ride once they get a proper tune-up. I guess it's a combination of 'too common' and 'too old' - people probably think they're about to fall apart. But whatever the problem is, I get a nice bike for less than the price of taking my wife and daughter out for dinner. While all these perfectly good old Raleighs are around, I don't see the point of paying $700 (or even $300) for a new bike.

I currently own four Raleigh Grand Prix bikes - all from '73 or '74 as far as I can tell. These bikes were probably the most common Raleigh bikes sold in the US during the '70s bike boom, so they're almost literally ten a penny. I picked one up last week in good original condition for $65 and I'm picking up my latest acquisition tomorrow for $50.

Personally, I don't see why they don't fetch more money. They're a nice ride once they get a proper tune-up. I guess it's a combination of 'too common' and 'too old' - people probably think they're about to fall apart. But whatever the problem is, I get a nice bike for less than the price of taking my wife and daughter out for dinner. While all these perfectly good old Raleighs are around, I don't see the point of paying $700 (or even $300) for a new bike.

+1.

I consider them to be in the same league as Peugeot's U08: A nice looking, good riding bike (especially given an upgrade to alloy wheels) - that doesn't get the respect it deserves!

(You really have it bad to own 4 of them though...I get by with just two.)

There is one on my local cl for 35, no April fools joke.

What the other guys are asking....
http://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi?cat=bik&fil=gran+prix&itm=raleigh&state=&ps=&pe=&ys=&ye=&so=d&submit=+GO+

Clean it up with Awesome or Fantastik cleaner, and hit it with a coat of car wax. Lose the half fenders. Niagara Cycle Works probably has the lowest prices on stuff you need, but also check Nashbar and JensonUSA. IMHO, $100 to $150 in top shape in season if you are in the right market for these bikes. I'd take it out and ride it ... live life on the edge! Just don't forget to wear a helmet.

I am about half way through the rebuild of a mid-late 70's model. It has nice paint and down tube power ratchet shifters.

I just took mine out for a spin today. Compared to my Jamis Aragon hybrid/touring tank it handles like a dream, but I suppose anything would compared to the Aragon.

I'm thinking of converting one of my Grand Prix bikes to a touring bike. They seem to have the geometry for it - plenty of heel room and something like 41.5" wheelbase. Then again, I must admit I don't know much about it - I just ride 'em - measuring them isn't really my bag. Has anyone ever tried touring with a Grand Prix?

Keeping my fingers crossed . . . just found one locally that "looks" like a Raleigh Grand Prix but pics weren't detailed enough for me to tell online. Emailed the guy to find out. Very reasonable price! I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for all the leads and words of wisdom on this subject from you all! I really appreciate it. Kinda sad "padre" isn't online here anymore, though, as his red model was very sweet looking! I'd have bought that in a heartbeat if it was the right frame size and paid for the shipping. But I've gotta say: the green one is the one that stole my heart when I was 16 so that's the one I want to add to the bike collection . . . gosh, Fuji mtn bike, Trek Madone 5.2 and now a Raleigh Grand Prix if I'm lucky? My, oh my, I DO have eclectic taste in bikes now, don't I? LOL!

Sounds like you are set. I picked up a red Grand Prix this weekend at the swap meet. It is about a 60cm ( too tall for me), so if your local deal falls through- shoot me a PM

Hi ebr898,
I think 50cm is too tall for me too. My present Trek is a 54cm and it fits great. I've been told I *might* be able to go up to a 56 but no larger. Unfortunately, the guy who advertised the bike on CL didn't ever email back and when I tried to call the next day (later in the day) his phone had been disconnected. Dreams dashed for now . . . but my head is in the search game and I'll find one yet! ;)

I ride a 56cm and this Grand Prix is too tall for me (even if I tried too ride it hippie boots, of the era) I have one guy interested I told him $40 as is.

60 bucks if you can ship it to NY :p

I think I will let it go localy. I stripped down last night for overhaul. Stuck stem, and all the bearings were dried up, I wonder if the had been repacked in the last 40 years? very clean inside and out except for one rock dent on a chain stay and the paint fade. The paint fade is pretty cool in that it almost looks like an orange to red fading paint job.

(Sorry random new guy) I will keep looking around locally! I live in upstate NY and this summer I want to try and restore some old vintage beauties. The red Raleigh really caught my eye when I stumbled across this one for sale! http://app.onlinephotofiler.com/Img1/A_4/4/9/4/214944/0277154968074d39ae53a828cf35c175.Large.jpg (Also check out the site this guy does some great work) http://www.oldbikesbelong.com

Hello -

I don't know if anyone is still following this thread, but I love the '74 Raleigh Grand Prix discussion!

This spring I picked up a '74 GP in all original condition - more or less unridden. I really just wanted a nice steel frame to use for a project and almost decided to keep it original. But I am almost done the upgrade/conversion. I will post some after pictures - hopefully in about a week or so.

I converted the bike to an internal 5-speed (Sturmey Archer) with 700c wheels. I only kept the frame, headset and handlebars. But I kept all the components in case I ever want to put it back to original. That's unlikely, so let me know if you need any original '74 GP parts :) BTW, I used a Velo Orange Grand Cru threadless bottom bracket that works great while avoiding the unique Raleigh threading.

Here are some before pics -
220385
220386

lol this thread has been brought back from the grave twice now.

nice bike there Philly. and welcome to BF

I just bought a 74 grand prix at a antique store for 30 bucks. Is putting 700c wheels on it just a plug and play thing or is there more work involved. Finding tubes and tires locally is not looking good.

I just bought a 74 grand prix at a antique store for 30 bucks. Is putting 700c wheels on it just a plug and play thing or is there more work involved. Finding tubes and tires locally is not looking good.

You can put 700c wheels on it, but you may need to change out the Weinmann 610 front brakes for the longer reach 750s that the Grand Prix uses on the rear wheel. The 610s may (just) reach, but the 750s will have more play and will reach with no problem.

I know because one of my projects is a Grand Prix frame with no wheels that I want to put 700c wheels on.

I really appreciate it. Kinda sad "padre" isn't online here anymore, though, as his red model was very sweet looking! I'd have bought that in a heartbeat if it was the right frame size and paid for the shipping.

http://www.hbing.info/g.gif

I just bought a 74 grand prix at a antique store for 30 bucks. Is putting 700c wheels on it just a plug and play thing or is there more work involved. Finding tubes and tires locally is not looking good.

There are plenty of extremely good 27" tires available for excellent prices - Nashbar is selling Paselas now for $14.99, (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_178263_-1___) and their regular S&H is pretty competitive. Tubes are the same size for 700c and 27". Stretching a few more millimeters won't hurt them.

I really appreciate it. Kinda sad "padre" isn't online here anymore, though, as his red model was very sweet looking! I'd have bought that in a heartbeat if it was the right frame size and paid for the shipping.

There are plenty of nice red Grands Prix like that about. I bought one in excellent condition last year that had barely been ridden and that had sat in a garage for nearly 40 years - cost me $50. Apart from some paint chips where the top tube had been hung up on a couple of metal shelf brackets, it's essentially brand new.

No I won't sell it.

But I reckon there are a lot of these bikes that are sitting in sheds and garages - bought during the bike boom and essentially unused. Just put out a search on eBay and Craigslist - they're bound to show up.

....
But I reckon there are a lot of these bikes that are sitting in sheds and garages - bought during the bike boom and essentially unused. Just put out a search on eBay and Craigslist - they're bound to show up.

I reckon you are right - but it's been quite a while since I've seen a nice Nottingham or Holland example go for a mere pittance. (American Pickers syndrome, I s'pose)
Still, it's worth paying a few bucks for one of these:- If you just upgrade the rims and tires, they're remarkably nice rides.

Well I was wanting to go to some aluminum rims for better braking. And all around ease of buying tires. But now that you said regular tubes fit I should be good for a little while. The bike still has stock gum tires in good condition.

The one I got was a Nottingham.

The bike still has stock gum tires in good condition.
:eek: You don't say... pics?

I will get some pics this weekend.