krtchp19

So a few weeks ago I was in San Jose, CA visiting some friends when I saw this CL ad about a "Raleigh Carlton" for 50 bucks. After looking at the pictures he posted I recognized it as a Gran Sport so I email the guy but no response so I let it go and the ad expires. The following week he re-listed the ad and dropped the price to 30 bucks and said he just wanted it gone as he doesn't use it. I email again and get a response so we meet up that weekend. The bike looked a little worn but I could see the beauty if i just worked on it a bit and for 30 bucks it's not a big investment so we shook hands and made a deal.

After I picked it up I noticed it had Campagnolo (front dérailleur, bar end shifters, and cable guides), Weinmann 610 front brake 750 rear, T.A. bottom bracket and Nervar Star cranks(French), Normandy high flange hubs, Maeda(later sun tour) Pro-Compe freewheel (Japan), Weinmann rear rim (can't tell what model but not the concave one maybe "sport"?), super competition champion front rim (french), GB drop bars, Weinmann brake levers with white carlton hoods, Hung Kuang vp-381 pedals, and some ugly looking rear long cage dérailleur (definitely not original to this bike).

Oh and some Armadillo tires whose side walls feel like sand paper.

Second "OH" it did have a Cinelli Unicanitor Brevettata saddle on it as well but I gave that to a friend that owns a bike shop for one of his projects. I have a 71 NOS Brooks B-15 thats been sitting in my room for a while that would look better on it.

I think I did ok with this and with some ideas I have in mind I know I can make this into something fun to ride and to look at.

The "Gran Sport / Grand Sports" top tube decals have worn off and the "531" sticker is also missing. The paint is in so so condition and had some surface rust that I managed to clean off with some white vinegar and very fine steel wool.

I've seen what some other members on here have done with their gran sports and it's given me a few ideas.


I just find the mismatch of parts very interesting in a good way.


I haven't really taken any pictures yet but i do have one from the original add. will post more as I get this project going.

If anyone cares to add anything to this feel free.

auchencrow

Congrats. You did exceptionally well at that price.

A lot of that stuff is stock. The GB randonneur handlebar, Weinmann brakes & brake levers, Nervar cranks, Normandy high flange hubs and weinmann rear rim.
You have a lot of latitude when it comes to derailleurs since it's a claw mount. (I have a Suntour Vx on mine).

BTW - Drive side photos are obligatory!

jimmuller 

Wow, great bike, awesome price. Somebody obviously did some upgrading. They originally had Simplex Prestige derailleurs, didn't they? (Auchencrow should know.) Don't worry about restoring it to original equipment. Instead, restore it to what an original owner might have upgraded to, which really means reasonably contemporary components with the goal to make it a great rider.

jeirvine 

Nice score. Other than the RD and pedals, I'd keep the other bits. Service bearings, wrap the bars, add the Brooks and Bob's your uncle.

auchencrow

The Grand Sports was spec'd with a long-cage version "Maxi Prestige" derailleur. Like Jim says, don't agonize over finding another.

old's'cool

What we're learning about the 70's Raleigh GS is, despite the catalogue specifications, the equipment could be anything period correct. Whether this is the result of custom ordering from the LBS, or upgrading by the owner after the original purchase, I think it fully justifies any period correct mods that we current owners may want to implement.

jyl

Wow ! You're a bike thief ! In a good way.

I'd put a Campagnolo RD on, and some tan wall tires, otherwise the build sounds perfect.

daf1009

Wow...score! I would agree with others...period correct that work for you...

Fred Smedley

I have the original derailleurs off my GS the OP can have for shipping. I set mine up with a Specialized flag 175mm crank as the 170 feels silly to me, Shimano Tricolor RD with a bolt on hanger Tricolor 8 speed shifters with a 11-21 close ratio freewheel. The GS with it's 531 tubeset and nice long stays is perfect for setting up with fenders and rack and serves as my rain bike/grocery parts store bike. Nice riding versatile bike, this is what most people would/should be riding (IMO) but is not really universally available as fashion trumps function in the bike industry. Good score OP , I hope it fits and definitely worthy of upgrading to a more modern drivetrain.

sailorbenjamin

Just my size, too. I've got a Campy RD in a drawer and a wheelset but if the front doesn't look too out of place I wouldn't bother. Maybe some white Blummels...

sailorbenjamin

Ooh, and blue and white harlequin bar wrap.

leicanthrope

You did quite well. Typically $50 will land you a rusted out old Walmart-grade full-suspension mountain bike around here, on a good day.

krtchp19

I still have it in pieces from when I took it on the plane but will do so as soon as I clean and reassemble it. On a side note southwest let me take the the bike on the plane for free. I think i had to get it somewhere in a box that was l+h+w to equal 62 inches however after I was finished it was 68. When they asked me what was in the box I just said a "frame" so it ended up being free bag substitution and not the 75 dollar bike charge. it's not like I was lying.....

krtchp19

Yea, I had wanted this version of the Grand Sports for a while now but owners always want an arm and a leg for theirs. I could barely contain my extcitement

krtchp19

that would be awesome just let me know what I need to do

krtchp19

Here they are side by side, if you're not really paying attention I don't think it's a huge deal but it would be nice if they did match same with the RD. And I do actually have some white Bluemels popular to put on this bike =) however they did not come with a mudflap or rear reflector.