1974-ish Raleigh Gran Sport Clubman project
#1
incazzare.
Thread Starter
1974-ish Raleigh Gran Sport Clubman project
Hey everyone, thought you might like a look at this. I bought this Raleigh Gran Sport on Craigslist here in NYC back in December, but just got around to finishing it up. I've always wanted one of these "lagoon blue" frames--really attractive to me. When I picked up the bike it was grungy and had obviously been in a crash at some point way back, as evidenced by the scuffed bars, hoods, pedal and saddle, but it seemed otherwise sound. It was all original down to the toe straps with the exception of the rear derailleur. I'm not sure exactly what year it is. It's a 1973 serial, but supposedly this color wasn't offered in '73. I'm guessing a '74 with a frame built in '73
Here's a "before" shot:
More before photos here: Raleigh Gran Sport - as found - Album on Imgur
After some thought (and encouragement from RHM) I decided to put the stock wheels, derailleurs and shifters aside for now and build it up as a clubman. I built a set of wheels using a Sturmey Archer alloy shell 3-speed hub, and put the bike together. I have taken it out for a couple short shakedowns and I'm happy to report that all's well. I'm very happy with it. Photos below! Let me know if you have any questions.
Here's a "before" shot:
More before photos here: Raleigh Gran Sport - as found - Album on Imgur
After some thought (and encouragement from RHM) I decided to put the stock wheels, derailleurs and shifters aside for now and build it up as a clubman. I built a set of wheels using a Sturmey Archer alloy shell 3-speed hub, and put the bike together. I have taken it out for a couple short shakedowns and I'm happy to report that all's well. I'm very happy with it. Photos below! Let me know if you have any questions.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#3
Get off my lawn!
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A blue British Bicycle with an SA hub, what's not to like? Beautiful!
#4
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That's a very nice path racer clubman cruiser!
#5
Senior Member
Question about the rear spacing, does the SA hub match or come close to the spacing of this Decades bike ?
I have plans to do the same thing, quite the encouraging photos I might add !
I have plans to do the same thing, quite the encouraging photos I might add !
#8
Senior Member
Whoa, that is a NICE looking rig!,,,,BD
I've got one of the white with blue Grand Sports, and I've mocked it up several times only to tear it down and hang the frame up on the ceiling in the garage. This bike might get me off my butt and I'll finally build it!
I've got one of the white with blue Grand Sports, and I've mocked it up several times only to tear it down and hang the frame up on the ceiling in the garage. This bike might get me off my butt and I'll finally build it!
#10
Senior Member
Gorgeous bike!! That is a head turner for sure, great job!!
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
#11
Keener splendor
Looks like a great clubman path racer for gliding around the park and going to-and-fro in the city.
Does the saddle emit vintage oderiferous emanations?
Does the saddle emit vintage oderiferous emanations?
#13
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#14
Keener splendor
#15
incazzare.
Thread Starter
700c x 32mm Panaracer Pasealas, on Velocity Twin Hollow rims. This is an odd rim. Rivendell was blowing them out for $25 each, so I figured I'd try them. They're single wall but have a hooked rim. They're pretty vintage-looking. Brake reach was fine with the stock brakes.
Yeah, just like your sister!
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
Last edited by lostarchitect; 06-07-15 at 08:20 AM.
#16
incazzare.
Thread Starter
The stock wheels were 27", but I converted to 700c. These tires are 700c x 32mm.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#17
Keener splendor
#19
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always thought that era's GS' horizontal DOs w/o derailleur hangers and relax geometry would work better off some sort of single speed drive train 'aesthetically and practically'.
3 spd hub clubman configuration is, indeed, genius. and looking just gorgeous and elegant.
oh and especially like the functional location of the shifter. never seen its location there before.
GS blue lagoon w white stripe FTW.
3 spd hub clubman configuration is, indeed, genius. and looking just gorgeous and elegant.
oh and especially like the functional location of the shifter. never seen its location there before.
GS blue lagoon w white stripe FTW.
#20
incazzare.
Thread Starter
always thought that era's GS' horizontal DOs w/o derailleur hangers and relax geometry would work better off some sort of single speed drive train 'aesthetically and practically'.
3 spd hub clubman configuration is, indeed, genius. and looking just gorgeous and elegant.
oh and especially like the functional location of the shifter. never seen its location there before.
GS blue lagoon w white stripe FTW.
3 spd hub clubman configuration is, indeed, genius. and looking just gorgeous and elegant.
oh and especially like the functional location of the shifter. never seen its location there before.
GS blue lagoon w white stripe FTW.
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
#21
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I question the placement of the rear brake housing running under the stem and front cable stop, won't that cause a nasty wear spot?
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
#23
incazzare.
Thread Starter
(edit: and no way am I doing the rear brake on the right!)
__________________
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
1964 JRJ (Bob Jackson), 1973 Wes Mason, 1974 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1986 Schwinn High Sierra, 2000ish Colian (Colin Laing), 2011 Dick Chafe, 2013 Velo Orange Pass Hunter
Last edited by lostarchitect; 06-07-15 at 08:29 PM.
#24
Not lost wanderer.
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I much prefer the rear on the left also but I just let the housing be wild in front of the front brake housing stop.
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...