Raleigh Sports 3 speed - 1966
#1
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
Raleigh Sports 3 speed - 1966 - Restoration pics
Picked this up for my mother-in-law, it was the same basic bike she rode as a teen in Guyana and the stories gushed out when she saw it so it was a slam dunk.
It's nearly all original and has the patina to show it. This will be an occasional beach and path bike to ride with her grandson and if she gets out for a spin once a week I'd be surprised but happy.
She won't need another bike and selling it for profit is not really going to happen (lets be honest here). I'd like to make it a nice fun ride for her that she can be proud of riding and reminisce.
I'm wondering about the next best course of action and wanted to get opinions:
A. Clean, lube, polish, dab a little rust converter in spots. It's called "patina".
B. Sand, prep and carefully rattle can the frame, clear (let cure) get repro decals to really make it "pop". She'd have a new old bike. More time, less money.
C. Powdercoat frame and get repro decals, alloy rims. Less time, more money.
I know it's all subjective but the more I look at it I feel it needs some shine, and a new chain of course...
It's nearly all original and has the patina to show it. This will be an occasional beach and path bike to ride with her grandson and if she gets out for a spin once a week I'd be surprised but happy.
She won't need another bike and selling it for profit is not really going to happen (lets be honest here). I'd like to make it a nice fun ride for her that she can be proud of riding and reminisce.
I'm wondering about the next best course of action and wanted to get opinions:
A. Clean, lube, polish, dab a little rust converter in spots. It's called "patina".
B. Sand, prep and carefully rattle can the frame, clear (let cure) get repro decals to really make it "pop". She'd have a new old bike. More time, less money.
C. Powdercoat frame and get repro decals, alloy rims. Less time, more money.
I know it's all subjective but the more I look at it I feel it needs some shine, and a new chain of course...
Last edited by thenomad; 12-14-10 at 09:57 AM. Reason: restoration
#3
Count Orlok Member
#4
You gonna eat that?
I have a '66 Raleigh DL-1. I had grand plans of refurbing the whole thing, but the longer I waited the more I felt it was already perfect.
#5
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
ghost decal residue just has "raleigh sports" on the DT. Not sure what all the other decals said due to damage.
#6
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I like option A, just clean it up really well. Nice chain
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#7
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As GNA syas is has the Superbe locking fork but not the other premium bits, ie double mudguard stays, light kit...odd.
Clean it, wax it and ride it!
Clean it, wax it and ride it!
#8
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Just had the same dilemma with a bike I picked up....its amazing what a bit of elbow grease will do to enhance the look. Many of the chrome bits can be cleaned right up (brass wheel, polish, etc) and I think you'll be happy with how much better it looks. You could always get repro decals and add them without painting....
The chain is, um, interesting to say the least.....and for sure replace the pedals with rubber block ones, but otherwise get out the cleaning tools and have at it!
mark
The chain is, um, interesting to say the least.....and for sure replace the pedals with rubber block ones, but otherwise get out the cleaning tools and have at it!
mark
#9
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
My mother in law remembers the locks on the front and i'm sure it was not because of a plethora of Superbes when she was younger.
What's the best way to get rust off of chrome? Don't want to butcher the chrome in the process. I have Nev-r-dull but not sure that'd do it.
What should I do about the spots of rust? I read one person dabbed rust converter on the spots, but others have written they'd sand off the rust and do touch up.
Not sure touch up paint would match old faded paint too well. On a different frame I sanded off the rust spots/nicks and sprayed clear rustoleum on the spots to protect. Being a dark frame it may look even worse.
What's the best way to get rust off of chrome? Don't want to butcher the chrome in the process. I have Nev-r-dull but not sure that'd do it.
What should I do about the spots of rust? I read one person dabbed rust converter on the spots, but others have written they'd sand off the rust and do touch up.
Not sure touch up paint would match old faded paint too well. On a different frame I sanded off the rust spots/nicks and sprayed clear rustoleum on the spots to protect. Being a dark frame it may look even worse.
#10
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On chrome I like to use very fine 0000-steel wool, there may be a better suggestion from the others as I'm still sort of a noob.
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First step on the chrome, I use Brasso. I'm sure there is a better chrome polish out there, but I already have the Brasso, so what the heck. In mild cases an abrasive such as steel wool isn't necessary.
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I'm gonna go against the grain on this one and vote b or c. It looks pretty rough to me. Make it shine, put a basket on it if she wants and make her proud to be seen on it. She'll ride it more.
#13
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#14
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Keep the original finish - It will lose a lot of its uniqueness if you rattlecan it or give it a powdercoat. Plus, if you do either of those, most times it's nearly impossible to keep some of the originally chromed parts from being covered by paint in one fashion or another.
I'd say clean, protect, and PRESERVE the original finish. It will save you time, money, and the potential that you end up with a terrible-looking frankenbike.
I'd say clean, protect, and PRESERVE the original finish. It will save you time, money, and the potential that you end up with a terrible-looking frankenbike.
#15
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Coat the bike with a heavy coat of 90wt gear oil, wait a while then wipe it off, it will clean, help bring the color back and protect against rust on the bare spots. For chrome I use Turtle Was Chrome polish and or Simichrome. I will use brass/bronze wool with a bit of oil as a last resort to clean of rust.
Aaron
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#17
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#18
You gonna eat that?
Or.... if you think you might want brown fenders and chain guard that are marked for Raleigh (they would match the seat and hand grips), let me know. I picked some up as part of a deal for a crank. The guy just wanted to get ride of his Raleigh parts; he was a Schwinn guy (and lordie lordie did he have some beautiful Schwinns... almost like a museum).
#19
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
Revisiting this old girl.
So I'm thinking of spiffing it up a bit as she's actually motivating herself to ride it around about twice a week or more.
I'm thinking:
sewn leather type cruiser grips (for comfort and will match saddle)
Rubber block pedals
deep clean the frame
full re-grease everything
new chain
bell
Brake pads
Cables and housing
vintage looking bullet light.
I think a basket would be useful for a grocery run (but may end up with a lift off basket as she doesn't think it's necessary)
rear stay mounted kickstand as I think it'll be easier for her in storage
What I'm waffling on are the following:
Alloy bars (originals are dusted with rust spots/heavy)
Alloy stem and seatpost (lighter weight)
Alloy cr-18 rims, re-laced to original hubs (lighter, better braking, nicer looking, better tire bead grip, not sure it's a worthwhile upgrade)
New tan sidewall tires or more thorn resistant cruising tires (has new tires but they seem so cheap they have high and low spots when fully inflated)
Ebay repro decal set, anyone have experience with these? Won't be exactly period correct but could make it look sharp
So I'm thinking of spiffing it up a bit as she's actually motivating herself to ride it around about twice a week or more.
I'm thinking:
sewn leather type cruiser grips (for comfort and will match saddle)
Rubber block pedals
deep clean the frame
full re-grease everything
new chain
bell
Brake pads
Cables and housing
vintage looking bullet light.
I think a basket would be useful for a grocery run (but may end up with a lift off basket as she doesn't think it's necessary)
rear stay mounted kickstand as I think it'll be easier for her in storage
What I'm waffling on are the following:
Alloy bars (originals are dusted with rust spots/heavy)
Alloy stem and seatpost (lighter weight)
Alloy cr-18 rims, re-laced to original hubs (lighter, better braking, nicer looking, better tire bead grip, not sure it's a worthwhile upgrade)
New tan sidewall tires or more thorn resistant cruising tires (has new tires but they seem so cheap they have high and low spots when fully inflated)
Ebay repro decal set, anyone have experience with these? Won't be exactly period correct but could make it look sharp
#20
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I say Schwalbe Delta Cruisers in Cream on it. Look at what Veloria did to her Sports, then do that. It will look very pretty when you're done.
https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2009/...igh-ladys.html
My Sports has plenty of "pantina," and once I fixed up everything else, the rusty bits and scratches looked cool. I have a rear rack and removable panier baskets (can use one or two as I please). I routinely take the kids to the beach with it, and just lift off a basket filled with towels and sunscreen to carry down to the sand. She might like those. Mine are by Basil, and I got them on Amazon. I need to take a glamor shot of the finished bike on the next sunny day!
https://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2009/...igh-ladys.html
My Sports has plenty of "pantina," and once I fixed up everything else, the rusty bits and scratches looked cool. I have a rear rack and removable panier baskets (can use one or two as I please). I routinely take the kids to the beach with it, and just lift off a basket filled with towels and sunscreen to carry down to the sand. She might like those. Mine are by Basil, and I got them on Amazon. I need to take a glamor shot of the finished bike on the next sunny day!
#21
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
I like it. I suppose it really takes very little to bring out the style in these bikes. I'll consider cork grips.
I hope the paint does shine up some. This is to be a 60th birthday gift so I hope to make a few key changes that add that little "something".
Looks like the budget is $100 to $150 (from my finance manager) so I'm thinking with that I can really get a full refurb done the way I'd like to do it. Alloy bits to save weight, nice tires and accessories.
I'm still torn on the frame though, I like a nice shiny, rust free frame with new decals.
I hope the paint does shine up some. This is to be a 60th birthday gift so I hope to make a few key changes that add that little "something".
Looks like the budget is $100 to $150 (from my finance manager) so I'm thinking with that I can really get a full refurb done the way I'd like to do it. Alloy bits to save weight, nice tires and accessories.
I'm still torn on the frame though, I like a nice shiny, rust free frame with new decals.
Last edited by thenomad; 09-12-10 at 06:03 PM.
#22
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Either way, sounds like it will be nice. I'll tell you that from my experience with cleaning alot of very rough vintage motorcycles and a few vintage bicycles, that you'd be amazed how good even a rough bike will clean up. Some old bicycles may never have been cleaned in their lifetime! I've had quite a few that if you saw them when I got them and then after a day or two of detailing, you'd never know it was the same bike. I tend to leave patina, but get them clean enough to eat off of. Having said that I also love to stare at nicely restored ones with perfect chrome and paint or even if it kept period looking but personalized. I say just have fun with it and POST SOME PICS!!!!!
#23
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Here's my '69 Sports, complete with panniers, and without. The paint sure ain't perfect, but she cleans up real purty.
I hate the cork grips, by the way. They're incredibly beautiful, but hard as rock. I'm either going to have a friend who knows solvents soak them off and put Dapper Dans on the bars, or figure out something else. I'm thinking of wrapping them in leather bar tape, if I could make it look cool. I don't know. But they suck. Just saying. Gorgeous, though.
glamorshotnew1 by snarkypup, on Flickr
glamorshotnew3 by snarkypup, on Flickr
I hate the cork grips, by the way. They're incredibly beautiful, but hard as rock. I'm either going to have a friend who knows solvents soak them off and put Dapper Dans on the bars, or figure out something else. I'm thinking of wrapping them in leather bar tape, if I could make it look cool. I don't know. But they suck. Just saying. Gorgeous, though.
glamorshotnew1 by snarkypup, on Flickr
glamorshotnew3 by snarkypup, on Flickr
#24
Riding like its 1990
Thread Starter
God to know about the cork grips. Those are the original rims? One of mine has a big dent in it unfortunately.
I like the white tire look, for sure.
I like the white tire look, for sure.
#25
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The one thing you'll have to prepare her for is the hub maintenance: you have to put oil in the rear 3-speed hub, probably once a month as long as she's riding it, or even a bit more often, and after she does that, she should go for a short ride, then wipe down the rear rim with an alcohol wipe, as the oil can leak out a tiny bit and make the rim slippery. Because the steel rims are hard to stop with anyway (note the brand new KoolStop Continentals on mine), oil is NO FUN on them!
I just got a little oil can with a gooseneck on it at the auto store and put automatic transmission fluid in it. Then I put a generous squirt in the hub. Folks swear by it... but there's much arguing over which lubricant is best. Anyway, it ran smooth as a little clock for 13 miles today, just purring as I peddled and gently ticking when I coasted. ATF seems to agree with it. Then I got home, and had to wipe down the rim, as it was slippery. But I seem to have a pretty tight oil cap on the hub, as I only have to wipe down the rim right after I fill it. So the maintenance isn't hard, it just has to be done regularly.
Those are the Schwalbe Delta Cruisers in cream. They look whiter in the photos than they are, but they are gorgeous. Nice ride. They're a relatively fat tires. There were ancient gumwall Kendas on it when I bought it, and they were very thin compared to these. Very nervy ride, twitchy compared to the Schwalbes. The Schwalbes made the suspension much nicer on the bike, though they aren't as responsive.
I added the KoolStops, the Schwalbes, the damned cork grips, a brass bell, the frame pump (otherwise the hooks caught my pant legs), and the saddlebag. It came with the Pletscher rack. I had the Basil baskets already from my previous bike. They rock in every way. They're easy on and off (they hang on the rack using long hooks), have a nice carry handle, and hold mountains of stuff. They never rattle, even going over curbs (ehem, which I rarely do). They even stack to store in the garage when I don't need them. I <heart> them. They come in several colors she might like, and come off when she doesn't need them.
The Sports is an awesome bike. She'll love it.