velomateo

I bought this old Raleigh a few weeks ago, mainly for the wheels it had - to use on another project. It was built with a mostly Dura-Ace 7400 group. I removed that and sold it off and was going to unload the frame as well, but then I realized it would be a good replacement for my current Beater.

My current Beater gets used primarily with my dog, Jasper - an 18 month old Boxer. I have a Springer, dog walker/runner mounted on an old, small framed, mountain bike. I have been having some hand and wrist pain due to the small size of the frame, even with a very tall stem - so this new frame will be more comfortable.

The new frame is a Raleigh Grand Prix, Reynolds 555SL model. I built it up with mostly parts bin stuff that I had. I did pop for some Velo Orange Milan bars and brake levers. The bike came with the pictured seat post, which is a Campagnolo C-Record era aero post. The previous owner filed it down to fit the frame. I need a round post to mount the Springer to, so this one wont do. I'm not certain as to the size I need, because the seat tube lug is a little hammered. Measuring the modified seat post is hard too, because it wasn't done very well. I measure from 26.2 - 26.8, depending on where I place my calipers.
If anyone has one of these frames (it was originally chrome and red) - please let me know what size seat post it has.

The bike rides great in it's new configuration, and it's quite light too. Jasper will have no problem towing us up to terminal velocity. It's mostly old Campy stuff I had. I'm running a single chain ring and a generous 6 speed freewheel + a Campy friction shift lever and a SunTour derailleur. So far I dig it.

MZilliox

nice practical beater build form the parts bin. looks like a cush ride too

velomateo

It is. I have room for some larger tires down the road. I think I could fit 32mm in there...even more cush.

Shp4man

Nice! I just finished a similar project with an 89 World Sport that was picked up cheap. Used a flat bar, modified (bent) drop bar levers, a Sunrace 7spd freewheel and SRAM twist grip shifters.

exmechanic89

Your beater is nicer than my 'nice' bikes, lol.

noglider 

I like it. What's with the tape on the grips?

I'm thinking of doing something very similar with my 1974 Raleigh International. The paint looks awful, so it might make a good beater.

velomateo

Those are just the grips. They are black and white, the white area is a little softer.

velomateo

Thanks... You'll get there some day.

bikemig 

Nice build. I did a "beater" like this from a frame I found and parts from my parts bin last year as a winter commuter. It's a lot of fun building up a bike with existing parts.

tyler_fred

What size tires are on it now?

Bikedued

That looks like a Viscount death fork, unless I'm mistaken? Nice build though, simple and clean!,,,,BD

Bikedued

I just noticed through a Google search, that the bottom curve of the fork is different. Probably not a DF, but you never know.,,,,BD

velomateo

Currently running 25mm Conti's.

velomateo

I'm not completely certain, but I think it's a an old Specialized fork. It works for now, if I trip over a proper steel fork though - I would switch it out.

velomateo

I just did the maiden voyage with the Springer installed. Jasper is totally gassed, he sprinted the first half of the five mile loop. The bike rides really nice and I'm totally pleased with it.

plonz 

I have a 1984 Competition that should have the same seat post dimensions. Mine is a 26.8. I had to buy a new one for more length. You're welcome to the original one if you want to spring for the shipping.

velomateo

Thanks, but I managed to sort that out this afternoon. I had bought a new 26.8, but it wasn't fitting. I found a small bump near the clamp that was jamming up the works. After filing it down a bit, I was able to install the seat post.

mtnbke

I like the build. I wouldn't like the downtube shifters, though. I'm a big fan of Kelly Take-Offs, to mount the shifters near the brake levers. I use the KTOs on bikes with road drops and mustache bars. I'm not sure they would work with your bars though, to leave the shifters in a spot you'd be happy with. Every think of moving those shifters onto bar-end pods? I hate bar-ends so that's not something I would do, but it might work for you.

I think I'd like the look of that build better, and I think it would be more comfortable if it had an IRD Stem quill shifter mount to bring the shifters up:
IRD Stem Quill Shifter Mount

Maybe someone has one they can lend you to try it out? Leaning down to shift from an upright handlebar position just makes no sense to me.

Tell me more, tell me more about that Nitto stem!

mtnbke

I like the build. I wouldn't like the downtube shifters, though. I'm a big fan of Kelly Take-Offs, to mount the shifters near the brake levers. I use the KTOs on bikes with road drops and mustache bars. I'm not sure they would work with your bars though, to leave the shifters in a spot you'd be happy with. Every think of moving those shifters onto bar-end pods? I hate bar-ends so that's not something I would do, but it might work for you.

I think I'd like the look of that build better, and I think it would be more comfortable if it had an IRD Stem quill shifter mount to bring the shifters up:
IRD Stem Quill Shifter Mount

Maybe someone has one they can lend you to try it out? Leaning down to shift from an upright handlebar position just makes no sense to me.

Tell me more, tell me more about that Nitto stem!

Very curious about what you think of the 555sl tubing. I think they used that on a big 27" (68cm) Raleigh you see everyone in awhile with the red and blue paint job that has stars on it. Like an America theme. Horribly gaudy paint which made we want one. Every steel bike I've ever had left me disappointed, but I keep thinking about that gaudy Raleigh from time to time. Let me know what you think of the 555sl tubing after you've got more miles in the saddle, and what you compare it to in terms of stiffness and flex.

velomateo

I'm happy with the shifters where they are, and per the VO website, bar-end shifters won't work with the Milan bars. I'm not a fan of stem shifter set ups either. The Nitto stem came on my Bridgestone MB-0, when it was purchased used about twenty years ago. I recently swapped it out for a taller stem, when the bike was put in to service with the dog walker. The Nitto looks and fits perfectly with the Milan bars, I'm so glad I had it on hand for this build.

bradtx

velomateo, Parts bin builds are so much fun, good job.

Brad

PS I'd be so tempted to flip the bars upside down, I guess the little kid in me.

orangeology

always love a mishmash franken build. such inspiring and proper. #slowclaps

velomateo

Thanks guys. I'm really happy with it + I have hardly any $ in it.

JohnDThompson 

I thought so at first, but the shape is wrong, and it lacks the eyelets at the dropout.

Kdogbikes

I'm all about the "parts bin bike". Yours came out great.