Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Competition rust bucket. Or not?

I spotted this Competition GS on craigslist last week and pointed it out (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?561211-eBay-CraigsList-finds-quot-Are-you-looking-for-one-of-these!-quot-Part-II&p=11203641&viewfull=1#post11203641) on the "are you looking for one of these?" thread. The only image in the ad was terrible and it looked like the paint was stripped so I ignored it initially, but found myself in the neighborhood of the pawn shop that was selling it later in the weekend, so I popped in for a look.

The frame had huge peculiar patches of rust on the seat and down tubes, and a smattering of typical rust specks showing through the paint elsewhere, but the chrome and components were very clean. The front derailleur and inner chain ring are gone, and the front wheel is a cheap replacement, but the rest of the original Gran Sport group is intact. I'm going to have a hell of a time finding the chain ring, but the derailleurs are cheap and plentiful.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTn2ay_rI/AAAAAAAAApQ/_XcPwTiHU1M/s800/competition_01.jpg

On closer inspection, I noticed that the rust had what appeared to be brushstrokes, and it covered the decals in some places! Figuring I could use the GS group on my Super Course, I made an unreasonable offer and the seller accepted.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToB9Cp4I/AAAAAAAAApU/y8UOYuvXqqk/s800/competition_02.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToQTOA_I/AAAAAAAAApY/cFkcusnkJig/s800/competition_03.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToZVtGMI/AAAAAAAAApc/n7qF0Pwr31A/s800/competition_04.jpg

Whatever this brown/red goop is, it's not rust (though there is some of that,) I cleaned it off one side of the seat tube fairly easily with acetone.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTod7xiSI/AAAAAAAAApg/E3FFkyusjqc/s800/competition_05.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTtBans5I/AAAAAAAAApk/3M-WzKDJgas/s800/competition_06.jpg

It will be interesting to see how well it cleans up, but sadly there are two handlebar dings on the top tube, so this frame will probably end up as a hipster's polo bike.

There's a lot of good things there - not the least of which is that saddle. Well caught. :thumb:

Thanks USAZorro, it wasn't a bad deal at all, though that saddle didn't come with it. It actually had a horrid gel saddle on it, which was very loosely attached - I suspect that someone pulled the original Brooks off recently.

Thanks USAZorro, it wasn't a bad deal at all, though that saddle didn't come with it. It actually had a horrid gel saddle on it, which was very loosely attached - I suspect that someone pulled the original Brooks off recently.

A pattern. I received a Super Course at a bargain price a few years back, but found the Brooks and the proper seat post had been replaced by a massive Troxel and the post that came out of the cheap exercise bike that horrid saddle must have been on. :lol:

Even still, it sounds like you got some nice parts for free when all said and done.

I spotted this Competition GS on craigslist last week and pointed it out (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?561211-eBay-CraigsList-finds-quot-Are-you-looking-for-one-of-these!-quot-Part-II&p=11203641&viewfull=1#post11203641) on the "are you looking for one of these?" thread. The only image in the ad was terrible and it looked like the paint was stripped so I ignored it initially, but found myself in the neighborhood of the pawn shop that was selling it later in the weekend, so I popped in for a look.

The frame had huge peculiar patches of rust on the seat and down tubes, and a smattering of typical rust specks showing through the paint elsewhere, but the chrome and components were very clean. The front derailleur and inner chain ring are gone, and the front wheel is a cheap replacement, but the rest of the original Gran Sport group is intact. I'm going to have a hell of a time finding the chain ring, but the derailleurs are cheap and plentiful.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTn2ay_rI/AAAAAAAAApQ/_XcPwTiHU1M/s800/competition_01.jpg

On closer inspection, I noticed that the rust had what appeared to be brushstrokes, and it covered the decals in some places! Figuring I could use the GS group on my Super Course, I made an unreasonable offer and the seller accepted.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToB9Cp4I/AAAAAAAAApU/y8UOYuvXqqk/s800/competition_02.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToQTOA_I/AAAAAAAAApY/cFkcusnkJig/s800/competition_03.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyToZVtGMI/AAAAAAAAApc/n7qF0Pwr31A/s800/competition_04.jpg

Whatever this brown/red goop is, it's not rust (though there is some of that,) I cleaned it off one side of the seat tube fairly easily with acetone.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTod7xiSI/AAAAAAAAApg/E3FFkyusjqc/s800/competition_05.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TIeBxBH6dXI/TFyTtBans5I/AAAAAAAAApk/3M-WzKDJgas/s800/competition_06.jpg

It will be interesting to see how well it cleans up, but sadly there are two handlebar dings on the top tube, so this frame will probably end up as a hipster's polo bike.

Hey Chris,
Good find, it should clean up nicely.

Mike

The chrome looks nice, why not strip it and refinish? I did that with a similar Comp. GS frame that I bought many years ago. Depending on how bad the handlebar dings are, why not just do a little bondo prior to painting?

With total stripping and clean up, especially some of the cruddy finish work, it turned out quite nice and was a great rider.

Chris,

I almost drove across the state as it seemed at least worth a look. Just not sure with 'THAT GUY" if it would be what he said it would be. Glad you got it. If it cleans up wow what a deal. Otherwise I think a nice strip and repaint might be nice.

Mike in Ft. Myers

You shouldn't use acetone to clean that off. It's too hard on the paint and decals. I'd try mineral spirits or naptha.

Thanks for the suggestions, I actually started with Simple Green, then tried isopropyl alcohol, then mineral spirits, then naptha, then acetone (not all in the same place.) Mineral spirits would be my solvent of choice typically, but it didn't seem to shift the crud.

I might try a light wipe with acetone to break the glaze, then dial it back to the spirits. I don't think the paint will look great and the decals have seen better days, so I may leave it to the next owner to decide. It's a shame that it's too big for me, I'd certainly be keeping it otherwise. I mainly picked it up for the parts for my Super Course.

Yeah, it makes sense that it's not rust, because the bike looks really nice except for that glop. It couldn't have been rust.