Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I've been riding this Gran Course in its present form for a week or two now and i'm really pleased with it in all aspects except for the looks.

Something is just off in terms of the color scheme and I'm not sure how to fix it. If you can't tell from the pics its a baby blue that fades to a steel blue on the seat tube, and the fork and stays are solid dark blue. Its an odd choice but it is original.

Any suggestions on what to change/add/subtract to make this purdy?

american psycho 

I'd paint the fork black (or go carbon), and go with black seat, tape, and tires.

auchencrow

I see what you mean. Beige isn't working here.

I'd opt for a more utilitarian black & blue theme - bar wrap, saddle and matte-black rack. This is a rare case where I'd dispense with gum-walls in favor of white-striped black-walls, to complement the lighter color of the triangle and yes, white NON-aero brake cabling.

arex

I'd invest in a powdercoat, if you can't save the paint and you plan on keeping the bike a while.

repechage

Short of a spray ***, the bar tape in a dark blue might assist.

retyred

Here is my suggestion.






Crescent advertisement from early 70

Italuminium

chrome that fork.

non-fixie 

Subtract. The Gran Course is such a fine-lined and elegant frame, it really needs 700c wheels with skinny tires to look good. And it could do with a little less bar tape too.

Shimagnolo

Dayum! That is one good-looking motor!

dweenk

I'd go cheap. Dark blue cable housings, and bar tape that either matches the saddle or the cable housing.

Very nice flooring BTW, old house?

retyred

I thought the same thing but then figured the OP has his Gran Course set up for his riding needs. My Gran Course was set up strictly for road and it does look its best with 700c wheels.

kroozer 

Refinish!

retyred

This Gran Course , frame wise, is the twin to the one I had. Has been on CL forever.


1984 Raliegh Gran Cours

devinfan

Don't paint that if it's original! It's a very unusual colour scheme for sure. I'd just be patient finding the right match with the bar tape and cables. I'd try dark blue cloth or Benotto tape, I think. It looks pretty cool even as it stands, I'd ride it. Or since it's so, unusual, what about a dark blue brooks and matching bar tape!?!

RoadTire 

Either match the fork and seatstay to the frame, or the best would be going sparkly blue with 1/2 chrome fork, 1/2 chrome seat stays, and 1/2 chrome chain stays. The paint / chrome junction should be diagonal. Then black non-bulky bar tape.

daf1009

Bar tape and cable housings to match the dark blue. Black saddle and tires...although I am a big fan of brown and tan, it just does not work on this bike. If paint is original, do not paint...or chrome...I think chrome would actually take away, as you would lost most of the dark blue!

Velognome 

Blue water bottle & tape and call it done.

non-fixie 

@Zaphod Beeblebrox: are you sure that dark blue on the fork and seat stays is original? I think I've studied about all there is on the Internet about these frames, and I've never seen that before. But then again my '83 doesn't exist either, according to the catalogs.

uncle uncle

I would try another bar tape, blue to match the fork and stays, and not so stay-puff-marshmellowy in thickness (unless you HAVE to have it that thick for comfort). Cable housing and clip straps in blue too. And, if it's a seventies vintage bike, paint the flutes on the seatpost and crank arm pockets (probably, again, a blue that matches the fork). No repaint; no powdercoating.

bradtx

Z B, Dark blue brake cable housing to tie the fork and seat stays together, black handle bar tape, tires and saddle. Natural finished aluminum for the cage, maybe an Elite Ciussi Gel.

Brad

WNG

I built up a Gran Course into a bike for my younger brother in 87, and it doesn't look like yours. The paint of the stays and fork matches the pattern of the tubes.
Just like the one in this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/131757...7602038790012/

I always thought it was a sharp looking finish, and the resulting bike in race trim looked very fast.

Looks like someone had the seat stays painted on yours. It does look aesthetically challenged. The large tires, and tan tape don't help.

mcmoose

First and cheapest: New (blue to match your fork) bar tape and water bottle.

Next: Tires (black!) and new cables (again, blue to match your fork).

I think the bike would look good at this point. But if you want to spend a lot more: See above options for repaint or chroming.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Thanks for the input. To answer a few questions posed:

- Re: the paint job - I thought it was original paint because of the 531 stickers on the frame and fork but now I am not as sure. I'm still convinced its original paint on the main frame tubes but maybe the fork and stays have been re-painted. I've read that 531CS (at least in the hands of Trek) is 531 butted main tubes and 501 forks and stays. That contradicts the stickers on the fork that say 531 forks, but doesn't mean a previous owner didn't repaint the fork and slap some 531 stickers on it. Also this is not built by Trek….and the only records of 531CS on the google are talking about 80's Treks…we all know Raleigh has a history of doing whatever the hell they want though and the only consistency is that there is no consistency…so who knows. All that said, the dropouts on the fork and the rear dropouts are both Gipiemme and I have no reason to think the fork isn't original to the frame. Which leaves me with the conclusion that either the previous owner repainted the original fork and stays for some unknown reason and then slapped 531 stickers on the fork, or that its original and Raleigh simply used a 531 fork in this case. Is there marking on the steerer tube that could shed any light on this?

@non-fixie: Interesting spreadsheet. To make my example even more strange, its not badged a Raleigh or a Carlton as I've seen others… this is badged as a Triumph. Obviously same factory, same time period etc, but this is the only one i've seen with a Triumph badge. It was sold to me as an '84 but who knows.

@dweenk: Thanks, house was actually built in the 80's. Floors are Pine.

Re: The Tires - Yes it looks different but I doubt fat tires is the source of the ugly. Also as someone mentioned its set up for the kind of riding it encounters. Up here in northern VT the roads are a nearly even mix of paved and dirt and even the paved roads are rough many times. Also I already own a top tier 80's roadie (Team Miyata) with 25's. I don't need another. FWIW I did order Blackwall tires but the online retailer shipped me gum wall. I got a good deal though and was excited to ride them so I didn't send em back.

and yes as much as I rail against it I won't completely discount the idea of a paint job. It feels wrong, but it would feel less wrong if I was sure about whether the color on the forks and stays was original.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

OK Hold the Phone.

Looking at WNG's pics, I see the tubing sticker as 531c. Mine says 531CS. Whats the deal here?

Any other Gran Course owners, can you check your tubing sticker and tell me what you've got?

Something doesn't add up here.

WNG

Zap,
The frameset I built up for my brother is a Triumph too. But looks identical to the one Charles owns in the link.