Golden Boy
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Golden Boy
I'm the owner of a 1972 Raleigh "All Gold Edition." I purchased it in less that great condition, and, not knowing what it is, treated it like any other bicycle. I rode it hard and tough, leading to a few more scratches and dents than was the case when I purchased it from a 106 year old bike shop basement. Curiosity and the popularity explosion that Raleigh bicycles experienced here in the Queen City led me to explore the bike that stood alone. In all the classic Raleighs I had seen, none were gold. I took it a step further to find that my serial number didn't fit with the "standard" serial number configurations I could find. Any tips for restoration or direction to shops or parts stores would be a huge help. I'd also be happy to post some photos of the bike, though they'd be less than impressive and would be a bit shameful on my part. It's a beautiful bike which I'm proud of riding and would like to make it a bike anyone would be jealous of seeing.
Bradley
Bradley
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Hi Bradley, welcome to bikeforums. go ahead and give her a quick wipe down and post some pics. we all love looking at great unique bikes. peruse some of the other forums to get an idea of what ppics to post. things like a general side view (drive side) closeup of components, and luggs.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
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Hey Bradley - let me too welcome you to Bike Forum's.
I wouldn't be too concerned about posting pictures of your bike here. The worst that could happen is you may get a couple suggestions for what you could do to spruce her up appropriately.
A number of times I've carted vintage bikes off to well respected bikes stores in the Boston area for information about them and learned very little, only to then place them here and be provided a lot of good information. Save yourself some runaround, post pics of the bike and any questions here, and I'm pretty sure you'll learn a thing or two about it.
I wouldn't be too concerned about posting pictures of your bike here. The worst that could happen is you may get a couple suggestions for what you could do to spruce her up appropriately.
A number of times I've carted vintage bikes off to well respected bikes stores in the Boston area for information about them and learned very little, only to then place them here and be provided a lot of good information. Save yourself some runaround, post pics of the bike and any questions here, and I'm pretty sure you'll learn a thing or two about it.
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Wha? Huh?
Oh, hey!
Oh, hey!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#5
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Thanks for all the encouragement! Here are some photos. Everything's original on it except the tires and the crank, but after seeing some other photos of Golds, I can see I'm missing a thing or two. Most notably, the rear rack which looks very sharp on a well polished golden bike. I'll keep pressing on in my search for replacement parts, though, and, perhaps, a second Gold. I have ambitious winter plans to pull the whole bike apart and clean it piece by piece, replace what's necessary and bring out a brand spanking "new" bicycle next spring. Anyway, Here are the photos!
P.S. I haven't been able to discern everyone's distaste for twist grips. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.
P.S. I haven't been able to discern everyone's distaste for twist grips. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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Wow, that example actually looks pretty nice, great find! In my experience with the twist shifters, they're a bit more prone to shift into the "dead zone" between 2nd and 3rd, which can be a bit dangerous. The trigger shifters don't do that as easily.
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That said, I've used both a used and an NOS example of these. I shifted with purpose, and didn't treat the control like a toy. No problems.
-Kurt
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Maybe, but the distance between 2nd and 3rd is much larger than between 1st and 2nd, it's very easy to find neutral. On the other hand, it doubles as a theft prevention device: leave the bike in neutral in front of the Kwikie mart and watch the fun!
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-Kurt
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That makes sense, I think the ones I've had experience with were in bad shape despite overhauling them. Speaking of which, there's an advantage they have over trigger shifters, you can disassemble them!
#12
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Thanks everyone. I'd have to say, then, that I'm in the shifting with purpose category. I have experienced a couple of slips in the past, but it hasn't been a problem since a few adjustments were made. Any suggestions as to where I could find golden parts?
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Oh, and who is Sheldon Brown besides a poor web designer, and why does everyone seem so eager to get his rocks off?
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WRT your web design comment...I'd rather navigate sheldonbrown.com and actually find information quickly rather than worry about what effing version of Flash I have installed in my browser.
You have a lot to learn Mr. 9 Posts.
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<in my best curmudgeonly tone>
Meh! I'm not impressed. It's heavy as lead, has only three speeds and has an inefficient riding position. Oh!, it has gold paint. Whoop-dee-doo! Anyone who goes to the hardware store can have a "Golden Boy" bike, too, ... if you like that sort of thing.
<curmedgeon has left the building and dons his flame suit>
Meh! I'm not impressed. It's heavy as lead, has only three speeds and has an inefficient riding position. Oh!, it has gold paint. Whoop-dee-doo! Anyone who goes to the hardware store can have a "Golden Boy" bike, too, ... if you like that sort of thing.
<curmedgeon has left the building and dons his flame suit>
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While you're sitting in front of your Macromedia Flash Blingpage downloading Adobe Bloatcrobat .PDF files, I'll be wrenching with the information I already found and printed from Sheldon's site.
-Kurt
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The name of this thread keeps reminding of a song by The Tubes.
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