74' Raleigh Gran Prix Resto pics, as requested...
 

My first bike effort, although I enjoy restoring Vintage items (cars, trucks, tractors, Coke machines) and such. :)

My $65 dollar e-Bay "bargain". Original paint and decals too!

Before...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...turbo/Bike.jpg

After...

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...x/CIMG5283.jpg


Up-graded the front and rear DR's with period correct Simplex Super LJ (all metal) "Competition" components and an NOS Shifter (e-Bay). Also added New Panaracer tires, handlebar tape and Jagwire cables (Niagara Cycle). Sank proly twice the initial purchase price in her, but had an absolute ball doing so. I'm thinking about another one. :rolleyes:

Additional pics here... http://s155.photobucket.com/user/Max...20Grand%20Prix

http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...ix%20%20Resto/

Great work Max - and so pristine - what a nice example!
You'll enjoy riding it too - these older GPs are one of the really nice High Ten riders.

Thanks Auchen. I've still got little things that I want to do, like shorten the rear brake cable (the under saddle portion) a bit.

Maybe clean & lube the BB, although it feels smooth and is play-free.

Remove and spiff up the brake calipers and kick-stand too. :)

Max

another victim of N+1 ;)
bike looks nice

I need to stay off CL as well. :rolleyes:

Spotted this and even turned a profit on it.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...o/Mixte004.jpg


See what you guys have created! :twitchy:

Great job Max.

Yeah, vintage bike are addictive, just look at my signature.

Oh, that $20 Raleigh Mixte frame bike on Craigslist; if it's still available snatch that baby right up, you won't regret it!

Nice job for sure!

If you have not greased the bottom bracket I'd highly suggest that you do before riding it much more.

Fantastic clean up job! The bike looks beautiful. You could eat pie off of that pie plate...

Very nicely done! Love the cranks!

Excellent work. Bravo!

He IS a handsome rascal.

Thanks all for the kudos and especially the tech assistance along the way. You're a great bunch of folks, very passionate in what you do.

I think I've found a new home here and (stand-by) a mate for my GP! :eek:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...bo/Mixte-1.jpg

EDIT: Yep. Time to get to work on another. :rolleyes:

I love the saddle on your GP, whatever it is. I can see in your new picture that it's actually a beautiful chocolate brown, I thought it was black. What did you do to it to bring it back to life? It looks terrible and misshapen in the "before" pic and amazing in the "after".

Thanks!

It's a faux Brooks seat made in France. Discovered that via this forum...

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ht=adga+saddle

I used Zymol (from my car care stuff) to condition it. :)

http://www.zymol.com/zymoltreat85oz.aspx

My God, that is just so gorgeous. Its amazing how incredibly durable that paint is. And I dont think I have ever seen a sprocket so clean. Did you clean it in an ultrasonic cleaner or something? Wow.

The Grand Prix is a great bike. Mine looked exactly the same as yours when it was new, the only difference is that mine is dark green. The bearings are in such good shape the front wheel can spin seemingly almost forever.. with a small push, and the wheels are true. I am so glad that I didn't listen to my wife when she suggested that I throw it out "since I wasn't riding it."

Watch out with that zymol stuff. Make sure you use a big fan on a window blowing out (with another window on the opposite side of the house wide open too) when you use it. Its not good for you.

Things like that give me an instant, spitting headache now. I don't know why.

Excellent job on the restoration! It definitely looks like you put a lot of effort into your Raleigh! Congratulations! Get out of vintage bikes wihile their is still hope for you! I don't want you to be another casualty! There is no hope for the rest of us, but you can still save yourself! :-)

Flash

I know of no specific threats in using it, but you may be correct. It's just in a lotion format. Nothing airborne dispersed. Then again, I also spray Industrial paints w/MEK, MAK, Xylene and assorted other painting supportive "funk". :rolleyes: Maybe I'm immune to it.

Can't be any worse than the chlorine based crap I spray to clean the bath tub and shower walls! THAT gives me a headache. :(

I wish that I still had access to one like back in my Navy days. ;) Naw, just some industrial water based degreaser, a stiff parts cleaning brush and a rag wrapped around a paint stir stick (for the depths) is all.

Looking back...I really got lucky getting this survivor based on pics and a little discussion only. It has had minimal riding time as judged by the wear surfaces (apparent original brakes pads marked "Weinmann", near perfect rim braking surface, chain and sprockets) and it wasn't scratched up but slightly! Musta' been stored safe and warm for the last 30ish years!

Lots of elbow grease, hand and rotary brass wire brush work and Brasso brought back the chrome and aluminum components from a light tarnish. I was amazed by the results. :) Fun and rewarding too! Polished up the rear brake set last weekend. Only have the front set yet to do.