retrofit

Time to bump this thread...
1975 Raleigh Grand Prix Mixte

Just finished rehabbing this Raleigh Mixte. I cleaned and regreased all bearings and races (headset, hubs, bottom bracket, jockey wheels, and pedals), cleaned and waxed the frame, and treated the rust that was growing on the rims. I added the Weinmann levers, Hunt-Wilde grips (hat tip to bikemore for supplying some critical parts) and new tires. All else is as she came to me.

I have to say for a gas pipe “lightweight” (yes, the Raleigh catalog actually called it lightweight steel) she sure is a smooth, fun ride. I originally thought my wife would like it for a townie, but she likes her modern bikes too much. So I’ll ride it around for kicks for a while and eventually put it on the local chopping block. Some pics:









The specs for the geeks among us (of which I am one):

Serial: NA5 202797
Frame/Fork: Raleigh 20-30 High Carbon Steel
Size: 19 1/2"
Stem: GB
Handlebars: Raleigh Trekking (alloy) with Hunt-Wilde grips
Brake Levers: Weinmann Black Dot
Brakes: Weinmann 610/Vainqueur 999 center pull
Shifters: Huret Challenger, clamp on
FD/RD: Huret Challenger
Crank: Raleigh 52/40
Freewheel: Maillard 14-28
Wheels: 27 x 1 1/4 Rigida Super Chrome, Normandy High Flange Hubs with MM Atom QR
Saddle: GT Mark IV with Raleigh alloy seatpost
Kick Stand: Esage Pletscher (alloy)
Pie Plate: Sturmey Archer

A few more pics...

db130

My local CL has this Grand Prix listed for $85 and he has been trying to sell it for 3+ weeks(he says it needs new tires):



I'd probably pull the trigger on it if it was closer to $50, but I probably need to get rid of a few bikes before I can bring home another project.

auchencrow

After 3 weeks he's probably ready to entertain an offer. The bike obviously needs a rehab and that makes a good case for negotiation, but do it in person - never over the phone/email if you are seriously interested in the bike.

These are among the best $50 bikes in existence, BTW.

dnauhei

Beautiful reno!

db130

$15 for this Grand Prix without wheels on Rhode Island Craigslist

Bholio

I picked up a Gran Prix a few weeks ago. Been slowly cleaning it up one piece at a time.

Was in good shape when I got it, appears to have been cared for. Evidence of cable changes and the like. Hubs were well oiled and spin better than my other bikes. I had to replace both derailleur gears with some from an old Suntour. Paint and decals are pretty good for a 40 year old bike. Front wheel does not match the rear, not sure which is the replacement. The front is a bit crusty, but will clean up nicely with some wet foil. So far, whatever rust I hit with the foil has cleaned up pretty well.

I swapped in a set of Aero brakes I had lying around to see if I liked them, along with new tap to replace the foam grab-ons. Rear brake cable is a bit short, I need to fix that.

I rode it today for the first time, and even with the seat too low, it rode quite nicely. I was pleasantly surprised. At first it felt like the handlebars were too far away, but I got used to it. A higher seat would have helped.

rgver

This is my beater, kid carrier and bike to generally abuse. Pictured here with a wheelset it wore for a while until another bike needed it.

Flog00

NEW !! 1974 RALEIGH Grand Prix, 10 speed men road bike, England

auchencrow

That has to be the cleanest GP on Craigslist - I mean, in all creation!
A bit pricy at $390, (more than a bit ) but if a GP is ever going to become a museum piece, there you have it!

Flog00

He's had that bike a long time on cl.
He is also most difficult to deal with.

bwilli88 

I just got this back in the States, have to wait until Feb to get it here. I am either going to make it a 3 speed, Single speed or a 5 speed derailleur.

Brotherrock

What's your plan for this one?

Brotherrock

I bought this abandoned Raleigh from a friend



Stripped the body and sent the rest of parts for chroming



Sent it for powder coating (regretting the color choice though). New saddle & bag. Will get better brakes soon

Number_6

I'll bump it again...

Remember that when mixtes came out in the 70's, they were an element of the vogue of "unisex"- one frame for both sexes. I've always admired their styling, and I'd ride one myself, but I've not found anyone who made one for a long legged 6'5"er like myself. With the origin of the mixte in mind, no male should worry about riding one...

Murray Missile 

If that was a red 1971 with a 25" frame in that condition within reasonable driving distance I would be all over it even at that price. That was my first "real" bicycle and I would love to find another one.

db130

I never picked this one up. I gave myself an intervention and stepped away from buying bikes.

bwilli88 

So who got it?

Brotherrock

This is almost in similar condition as the one I have. BTW, what are you doing in Cham ( I happened to be helping a friend in providing help there too from Singapore)

Prowler 

I've come to love my 76 Raleigh Professional Mk IV over the past year, full renovation and 900 road miles. BUT you people drive me crazy with all the love for the Grand Prix. Well now I'm in the game. I acquired mine on Monday and am going to do a complete renovation over this winter - down to the frame and take every component apart for clean, polish and lube.

I've scrubbed this thread end to end and I'm not sure I saw any pre 1970 models. Could this be the first? I'm pretty sure it's '68 or '69. It looks like there was no GP in '67 and the "Heron and Torch" oval head badge and the axle wing nuts seem to place in either '68 or '69. I cannot tell the difference between those two years. Some time in the spring I'll post some 'after' photos.

Maxturbo

It looks '73/'74ish (with the brake lever extensions) to me.

What is the serial number?

Prowler 

I've read that the oval anniversary head badge ended in 1970 and the wing nuts on the axles (front and rear) are pre 70. I'm not certain but that's what the online catalogs seem to represent. I'm also pretty sure the turkey lever brake set was installed later. I may be able to find out. The catalogs also make it look like post '70 they stopped using leather saddles on stock GPs. Any ideas? The catalog scans are often pretty fuzzy.

SN is a B and 4 numbers on the NDS rear dropout.

Maxturbo

I had an ADGA leather saddle on my stock '74.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...questions.html

You may be on to something with the headbadge though. Again, the serial number will ID the year.

Maxturbo

The "B" indicates 1967! The build year at least, for possibly a 1968 model year offering as you suspect.

Determining the Age of a Raleigh

Prowler 

Thanks Max. I had overlooked Sheldon's section there as he said it applied to the 'high end 531' bikes. But it makes sense. I also forgot to mention that this bike has (now had) a 1972 municipal registration sticker on it with a 1971 under it. That also narrows the window. Nice paint under those stickers.

Anyone know when Raleigh stopped using those neat wing nuts on the axles of the low end bikes, in favor of plain hex nuts? Hard to tell from the catalog scans.

GaleMRaleigh

This is my first ever bike purchase. Any tips? suggestions? pointers? I have tried (for a few hours) with no success to date this bike (with the links included in previous posts) so I've included the only serial number I've found. The Weinmann brakes say '79? There is a washer that has the Weinmann logo and Raleigh on the brake which is pretty rad.



My apologies for the awful photos!