1973 Raleigh Grand Prix, New Toy
10-09-05, 04:13 PM
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So here she is. She rides well but the brakes suck. Apparently a 1973 Raleigh Grand Prix with a Brooks B15 saddle I picked up for $35. Total involved $165 including bike, saddle, and a little labor to clean and lube. Any advice, corrections, suggestions ?
Last edited by Tatt2Rider; 10-09-05 at 07:42 PM.
10-09-05, 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Tatt2Rider
So here she is. She rides well but the brakes suck. Apparntly a 1973 Raleigh Grand Prix with a Brooks B15 saddle I picked up for $35. Total involved $165 including bike, saddle, and a little labor to clean and lube. Any advice, corrections, suggestions ?
Denny
10-09-05, 05:40 PM
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The alchemy of brakes with steel rims. The brake blocks have been replaced with what looks like one piece units. I am sure they were designed for alloy rims. You need a softer pad, and fresh. Might try mathhauser blocks, would look more original as well, (original were orange, kind of terracotta colored) just get one pair and try. I wonder what sintered blocks would perform like? Might wear the chrome off...
Kind of like a 50's or 60's sports car, the current family sedan will out brake it.
Kind of like a 50's or 60's sports car, the current family sedan will out brake it.
10-09-05, 06:19 PM
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Ah, but they way outperform a rod-activated brake (and, I suppose, a spoon on the back tire). I rode a bike just like this, only way bigger, with racks and panniers for 500 miles through Missouri and Illinois once. And the downhills were exciting. I bagged the steel rims as soon as I could afford to. Still a wise thing to do, I think.
This bike is in beautiful condition, btw. congratulations.
This bike is in beautiful condition, btw. congratulations.
10-09-05, 06:32 PM
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Lovely! I adore that shade of green and like the accentuated lugs. That's a rockin' bike.
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10-09-05, 06:46 PM
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Beautiful condition for a '73 Grand Prix. You did very well. Like the others said, new/different brake pads and/or alloy wheels will make things much better.
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10-09-05, 07:46 PM
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Looks like new pads are in order. A riding buddy owns a local bike shop so I will see what he has, he also restores leather saddles, may see what he can do with this one.
10-09-05, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Tatt2Rider
So here she is....Any advice, corrections, suggestions ?
, and lower the nose of that saddle a bit... It scares me.
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nice lugs baby!
nice lugs baby!
Last edited by TheOtherGuy; 10-09-05 at 08:53 PM.
10-09-05, 08:52 PM
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if you want to change the cottered crankset to cotterless crankset, will the Raleigh Threading of the bottom bracket is in the way? below is the reference from Sheldon Brown. because I have a raleigh super course with cottered crankset and I want to switch to cotterless crankset, and I want to know from raleigh owners what are involved. Mant thanks.
Lei Lin
Lei Lin
10-09-05, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by TheOtherGuy
Looks like a nice bike. My only suggestions are, DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH BEFORE RIDING! (coming from someone who just finished a bottle of 99¢ merlot..., and lower the nose of that saddle a bit... It scares me.
, and lower the nose of that saddle a bit... It scares me.
10-09-05, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by luker
99 cents? I guess that helps to offset the cost of the real estate down there. Up here we have cheap property, but no where can you find a $.99 bottle of wine, not even Boone's Farm on sale.
-99¢ only store...not too bad either. Went well with the BBQ cheeseburger.
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nice lugs baby!
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Last edited by TheOtherGuy; 10-09-05 at 09:49 PM.
