Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Yes I'm a newbie, help with an old Raleigh.

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
Acteon
08-31-08, 12:26 PM
So in my grandpa's back yard i found this old Raleigh i think it's a Grand Prix, It's a pretty big bike, but I'm 6'2 so it shouldn't be an issue.

i have zero knowledge of bikes and I'm still learning the terminology. if you decide to help me out thank you, but please bear with me as i probably have no idea what you are talking about.

living in the SF bay area there is no shortage of bike shops and people with knowledge, but however the closest shop ear me i don't quite trust yet, and would prefer, (if able) to do most of the work myself.

So i believe this bike has a cottered crank, and that initially will be my biggest hurdle to get over.

if i want to do all the work myself, what tools do i need to strip the whole bike down to just the frame.

Is there a good "kit" of tools that has everything i need in it?

i would like to strip the whole bike and attempt to save the paint, however i don't think it's possible as there is a pretty good amount of surface rust. if anyone has tips on this please chime in as well. i may just have it sand blasted and powder coated locally.

so here are some pics of the bike.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2814111207_58df3c03d1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2814111323_a72491aaaf.jpg

and my goal for the bike is to end up with something like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2441190919_be6012ffdc.jpg

thank you

stussy2k
08-31-08, 01:13 PM
Raleighs have non standard bottom brackets so you'll need something like a shimano uc 72 bottom bracket with the required threading. Best bet is to find a bike co op which leases out tools and strip the whole thing down. You most likely will not be able to use any of it. I used to have a raleigh record and take it from me you should just save your money and either buy a track frame or buy another old frame which doesn't have the weird bottom bracket.