Classic & Vintage - noglider's Raleigh International Frankenbike

(Original title: noglider's Raleigh International Frankenbike)

This has been nothing more than a concept for too long. I am about to start building it.

I have a 1970's Raleigh International frame and fork and am going to build it into a super-duper city bike. I like city bikes, but I don't like their heavy weight. Most components here will be light weight. The two exceptions are the hubs. They will have drum brakes.

Reasons for drum brakes:

- they may not be better, but I've never had them, so I'm intrigued
- they'll be low maintenance
- they get around the problem that this frame is designed for long-reach brakes, which are mediocre, at best.

HUBS
I have a Sturmey Archer front hub. I bought it new, and it arrived, and it's gorgeous beyond expectations.

I have a Shimano so-called roller-brake rear hub. I would have preferred a Sturmey Archer, but the price for this Shimano was too good to resist. It's a freehub with room for an 8- or 9-speed cassette.

I have most everything ready, and I will soon have time to begin the build.

FINISH
Oh, the finish. RobE30 was kind enough to put primer on the frame for me. I've been thinking this will be my first adventure in frame painting, but now I'm thinking I'll do something really silly such as cover it with contact paper instead. If it works out badly, I've lost no investment. I giant roll of it cost me $6.

RIMS
I have some 700c Sun CR-18 rims I bought for this project.

TIRES
Panaracer Pasela, of course

HANDLEBARS and STEM
Not sure yet, but I'm pretty sure they will be drop handlebars.

DRIVETRAIN
I have a Shimano 9-speed indexed drive train with a triple crank that I'm taking off a frankenbike I bought on craigslist.

PEDALS
Not sure yet, but I have tons of pedals.

HEADSET
May not have one yet.

I think I have spokes for one wheel but will have to buy them for the other wheel.

Pictures will come in dribbles, starting soon.

That's the one I picked up for rob I think. As I recall, it's a 74'.

Yes that's the one. I had a 58, and he had a 56. Perfect trade for both of us.

How did you figure it was a 74?

If I recall, the previous owner identified it as such. If you give me the serial number, I'll check the Raleigh serials and see what we can learn!

I like the drum brake idea to get around the long reach brake problem.

How hard id it to remove contact paper? I have seen some member decoupage bikes that turned out well. The other idea you may want to try as long as you don't mind one day resripping it, is to let the kids in your bike class have at it. Get a half dozen cool colors and let them use their imagination.

Tom, are you planning on fenders and/or racks? Are you planning on carrying weight with it?

Tom unless you did (or are doing) a freehub body swap on that shimano hub, its a 7 speed.

I like the drum brake idea to get around the long reach brake problem.

How hard id it to remove contact paper? I have seen some member decoupage bikes that turned out well. ....

Sixty Fiver did it to his Gran Sport - it turned out great but it was a lot of work to do.
(I wish I could find a picture of it)
Anyway, he would be the one to tap on the decoupage methods and materials.

I might as well say this here too, having done something similar with an International...it's not the ideal frame for this. They're flexy and I don't think real good for weight. I think the build you're talking about will be heavy enough where the 2 pounds you save isn't really worth it.

Cool project, Tom. Looking forward to the pics. I disagree, though, that long reach brakes are mediocre at best. I've used a couple sets of Tektro 55-73mm dual pivots and they're powerful. More than adequate.

Here is my photo album, which I'll be adding to as the bike progresses.

Here are some pictures of the frame as it is currently.



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5RcthnzLnPM/TkQKwn6U1AI/AAAAAAAACMw/lhZso0_OxXc/s912/IMG_0319.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pzQHZMXRj1E/TkQKv28FHVI/AAAAAAAACMo/QV2yjGWAwcs/s912/IMG_0321.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0q8_dl8j4aM/TkQKuxhz9wI/AAAAAAAACMg/wDwILT39a7M/s912/IMG_0323.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-idC3qmOFNGs/TkQKuFv5y-I/AAAAAAAACMY/wmSKnmTNHyY/s912/IMG_0325.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1vzo5ISbb3c/TkQKtbk1efI/AAAAAAAACMQ/VyMF2GZ6uek/s912/IMG_0327.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5N58KvjdTSk/TkQKsF_5H0I/AAAAAAAACME/Lytr_TVXukI/s912/IMG_0330.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G5-Kb6HuJcU/TkQKrxs9mHI/AAAAAAAACMA/ayeDrBKcOTM/s912/IMG_0331.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3s_vednTqJ4/TkQKqyCGJjI/AAAAAAAACL4/lqTYLOJmPVY/s912/IMG_0333.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k1JA0WDTvq8/TkQKqLIt14I/AAAAAAAACLw/YnAxUp3mVJw/s912/IMG_0335.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fVOc8ahfKkY/TkQKpGN7oLI/AAAAAAAACLo/A1lD3tmyiRg/s720/IMG_0337.jpg

Below is a sample of the contact paper. I put the can on it to keep it flat. I put the fork on it for size context.


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oaeqLqbht6A/TkQKnfbKvbI/AAAAAAAACLc/u5fxRluCleY/s720/IMG_0340.jpg

Colonel, I'm glad to know those brakes are more than adequate. Maybe I'll get a set for my Raleigh Twenty. As I said, I've never had drum brakes, so that's a good reason to have them.

I like the toasty finish of the primer. I'd be tempted to clear coat it in a satin but not before selfbranding it with something like "Tomtom" or the likes. Cutting the conatact paper around the lugs will be tough, no?

Those are such beautiful frames... expect nothing but awesome things from you on this one.

Kinda like the matte finish.. contrasts the chrome lugs quite nicely whereas with a bright and busy finish those lugs would vanish into the noise.

I love flat paint jobs with chrome or otherwise shiny accents. Lookin' good, Tom.

Tom - y'know what would KILL on this frame? A custom headbadge...maybe your face or something.

Laura from The Path Less Pedaled . com does some nice custom headbadges that support their tours.

You should check her out.

http://www.tangerinetreehouse.com/headbadges/

The gal who made my headbadge already makes the perfect thing (http://www.tangerinetreehouse.com/bike-mustache/)for Tom's bike.

Edit: Yes, Laura, that's her.

http://didius.lunariffic.com/%7Etange11/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/mustache.jpg

Haha! That's perfect.

Should we start a collection to buy it for him? He must put that on his bike.

OH HECK YES! I'll toss in $5 to have that on Tom's bike!

We have a gal here named Jenn Green who does headbadges and is terrific. I had her make my wife some chainring shaped earings.

Oh, I'm good for a fiver for sure.

Oh my god that is perfect! :)

I'm with the guys on this one....it looks awesome in Matte.

I would totally chip in on that mustache headbage!

Don't really like the contact paper, though.

This will be interesting.

I neglected to mention previously....RobE30 did a very nice job on that primer.

Why the contact paper? Everything else sounds good to me (but what do I know?), but I don't know about the paper. I like the matte finish too. Could you matte clear coat it?

I'm with rookgirl. I like the matte finish, think it looks great. Don't think the contact paper idea sounds that good. It sure is a nice bike.

Tom, if you really want to use some sheet material, how about some of the model airplane covering that is heat-shrinkable? I don't know whether it would be better to shrink it first (hair dryer used with care) and then cut around the lugs, or vice-versa -- you'd have to experiment a little.

Tom I think you have over-thought the finishing touches on this bike -- to the point where you think putting wall paper on your bike is a good idea.
sixtys worked because it was coffee labels and they were from the local coffee shop he frequented. just because you go to the dentist tho it doesn't mean you should make your bike look like the vinyl flooring in the waiting room. forreals no offence.

OK, so you think the primer I have makes some kind of good look? I'm quite willing to try that. And wouldn't a clear coat over that result in a non-matte finish?

I think there are satin (not glossy) clear coats. That might look really good.

OK, I'll visit the paint store and the hobby shop. Thanks for the suggestions. Saving trouble on the finish is definitely a worthy goal.

I forgot to put the link to my photo album (https://picasaweb.google.com/109292868667655821083/1974RaleighInternational). I might update the album before I update this thread.

Many pictures are duplicates. My iphone was in HDR mode, which stores two pictures with each shot I take. That was an accident, though it was interesting.

Tom, since you are (a) willing to consider alternate finishes, such as contact paper, and (b) interested in utility cycling anyway, I would suggest you consider reflective tape. You can get "engineering grade" reflective tape in widths up to 4" in primary colors that I find quite attractive, but a 4" x 50 yard roll is a bit expensive compared to, say, a 1" x 50 yard roll. I've used the white, which is an opalescent pearl kind of color, and red. It takes well to simple curves like bicycle frames. The lighter colors --white, yellow-- reflect more brightly than dark colors, but I'm told the "black" also reflects very brightly.

Leaving the bike in primer is, I think, a bad idea. Primer is formulated for stuff to stick to it, like paint, but also grease and dirt and whatnot. It may look good for a little while (but maybe not), but it will most definitely look like crap after you've ridden it for a while.

A good compromise, I think, would be to do some major portions of the bike in reflective tape, and then paint some of the trickier areas --brake bridge, bottom bracket, cable stops, etc-- with a matching enamel.

Or do the whole thing in enamel, applied with a brush. If the primer is good, the finish should be tough enough, and it can definitely look good.

As for that mustache headbadge, don't listen to those jokers. They're pulling your leg.

I used to get mine from www.identitape.com, but they seem to have changed their address to www.findtape.com

Leaving the bike in primer is, I think, a bad idea. Primer is formulated for stuff to stick to it, like paint, but also grease and dirt and whatnot. It may look good for a little while (but maybe not), but it will most definitely look like crap after you've ridden it for a while

Clear coated my sons primer ratbike last year and it still looks good, dirt washes off.



A good compromise, I think, would be to do some major portions of the bike in reflective tape, and then paint some of the trickier areas --brake bridge, bottom bracket, cable stops, etc-- with a matching enamel

Great utility bike idea.



As for that mustache headbadge, don't listen to those jokers. They're pulling your leg.

No!!!! I think its a cool idea.

Clear coated my sons primer ratbike last year and it still looks good, dirt washes off.



Great utility bike idea.




No!!!! I think its a cool idea.

+1...I was being serious. I think custom head badges rock, especially for builds like Tom is envisioning. That mustache would be AWESOME.

I feel pretty confident speaking for everyone else that we think it's cool, and not pulling any legs.

You think it's a cool idea for your bike, or for someone else's?

Tom, I will make you a custom headbadge. Plastic, aluminum, or copper. I know pure gold would be nice, but I don't have any. I'm also a cheapskate, I'm sure you'll understand.

If I had Tom's signature stache'? Absolutely I'd put that on a bike like this. It has character and style. I've been hoping to get my paws on a quality, bare frame so I can do a custom headbadge...I keep oscillating between the flying spaghetti monster and a star of david fish.

HANDLEBARS and STEM
Not sure yet, but I'm pretty sure they will be drop handlebars.


Or maybe Mustache bars:roflmao2::lol:

seriously, the stache badge is a great idea

Yes. We were not joking about the bike stache.

Ohhhh....I got me an idea that involves a mini Garden Gnome and a dremel tool! I hope CVS isn't sold out.

CVS dremel tools suck.

Like the headbadge idea! But that frame look superb in that green primer. Sure you want to CP it?

CVS dremel tools suck.

Out of Stock, gonna step up to Wallgreens I guess?

I'm entertaining all of the ideas here. I like the mustache head badge, but I'm apprehensive about having a badge protrude from the frame.

I have TWO pairs of mustache handlebars, and I forgot about it, so yes, I definitely should put a pair on this bike!

rhm, I'll consider the reflective tape idea. Mind you, I'm not skilled at stuff like this. Could you provide more detail on what material to use, how to apply it, and where to apply it? I've read randyjawa's article on painting a bike with a brush and am probably willing to try that on all or part of the frame.

Out of Stock, gonna step up to Wallgreens I guess?

roll in the big guns buddy. :)

I'm entertaining all of the ideas here. I like the mustache head badge, but I'm apprehensive about having a badge protrude from the frame

Have it wrap the tube....sooo cool!

If you like a matte finish, use matte urethane auto paint. It was developed because primer does not hold up as a topcoat. I use Hotrod Flatz.

http://www.google.com/search?q=hot+rod+flatz&hl=en&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS312US313&biw=1440&bih=728&site=webhp&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=W6lFTu76NMffiALTvJyGAg&sqi=2&ved=0CEMQsAQ

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/44050/2376393650068014369S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2376393650068014369dyKpEe)

Thanks for that suggestion. I wasn't aiming for a matte finish. It's the other guys here who are praising it. But who knows; I might like it.