TheFlyingDingo

I did a little research, this bike appears to be a 1962, All original(Except maybe the tires).
Veloci Fenders, Campy parts(which are apparently original)

Found this one Sheldon Brown's Retro Raleighs page.


And this would be mine:
I dont want to clean it, as im afraid of messing up the decals...I would like to sell it as is
Ive had it around for months, i have not touched it since i got it.

TheFlyingDingo

And here is the rest of the pictures.

I do want to sell it...I may end up cleaning it to get a bit more money

EjustE

No matter what, either take a hose to it or use some elbow grease to take those cobwebs away... That's a great looking bike

big chainring 

Wow! Everthing in tact and original. Thats a rare find. Does it even have a scratch on it? Looks like it was stored away after a couple rides.

Bikedued

Wow, that's a beauty! Thanks for sharing!,,,,BD


Any way you could possibly stretch the frame 3-4cm?

cycleheimer

Not a bad idea. Little spritz of Simple Green here and there on a warm dry day followed by a wash down from a garden hose. Just be really careful cleaning the paint, decals and chrome.

bikerosity57

I'd clean it, but just be careful that's all. You won't have any trouble selling it. It appears to be original, and in very good shape. It's gonna look fantastic when you clean it. You might want to consider keeping it. You'll never see another.

bikerosity57

Half-step gearing!

Charles Wahl

That's a heap o' C&V there. My own opinion is that you might indeed get more money for it (on eBay) by doing absolutely nothing to it, and concentrating on photography. A serious collector may well want the satisfaction (and the assurance it wasn't damaged) of doing the cleaning hirself.

big chainring 

Thats some good advice there.^^^^^

big chainring 

So the OP was looking for a value. So what does everyone think?

I'm thinking as is, on ebay, $700-1500. I was originally going to just leave it at $700, but I bet that there is someone out there that really wants a bike like this. Its before my cycling interest and knowledge. Those brake levers alone would fetch some cash. And the brakes, I have never seen before.

Several years ago I sold a Raleigh Lenton Sports of the same era to a collector for $300. It was in near mint condition and original down to the inner tubes. But this Gran Sport is a few levels above that. Under all that dust and grime is one rare bike. And theres some people out there that would love to start cleaning that up, me included, that think the cleaning would be just as exciting as the bike itself.

stausty

I'd put it on eBay starting at $200 or so for a week or 10-day long auction. My guess is that it would end around $500 but very well could go over $1000 if the right people caught wind of this.

And knock the cobwebs off, but don't take anything apart. It's a beautiful bike and it'll be interesting to see what comes of it.

JunkYardBike

That bike is in incredible condition! I agree that at the very least you should vacuum the cobwebs. Be careful with those fenders, as they are prone to cracking very easily. If you ultimately ship this somewhere, you'll need to devise a way to protect them.

Incidentally, the Gran Sport was Sheldon Brown's holy grail as a teenager: https://search.bikelist.org/getmsg.as...10509.0626.eml. There's a marketing angle for you.

cudak888 

Value goes to subforum.

-Kurt

TheFlyingDingo

So basically everyone agrees....

I did want to leave it alone, because i know there are hardcore restoration fanatics strictly with raleighs. Im afraid of touching it, the decals are perfect as is. Now shipping, im petrified of hurting those fenders. Theyre near perfect.
I never thought to vacuum the bike, or lightly brush it off.

sciencemonster

I agree - you shouldn't attempt to clean it unless you know what you are doing. It's not a wheelbarrow.

TheFlyingDingo

I have experience with cleaning bikes, But not with decals this old....

Otis

Do not clean it. That bike is a time capsule and any true collector can see that. If I was going to buy it I would not want anyone to touch it except me. I'd be stressing out about the tear-down for packing.

You might use a feather duster or LOW pressure compresed air to blow off the dust. But no water, no cleansers, etc. needed.

That bike is in exactly the type of condition you want to see for that period. It's beautiful.

cia dog

That's your bike? Then who's bike is this one on this site: https://www.ratrodbikes.com/forum/vie...?f=10&p=242246

cudak888 

Why should there be any confusion? The user names match, and he even says he is posting it on BF. Only difference is how cocksure he is of making a killing from it.

-Kurt

TheFlyingDingo

That would be mine

TheFlyingDingo

cia dog

So what the heck is RatRod Bikes site? It looks like a copy site of this forum? Is it a good forum site?

TheFlyingDingo

Ratrodbikes is a great site, its more of a Custom Restoration site than original restoration like this site seems to be...

I am starting to enjoy this site alot too, reading about everyones trips on trails, and riding new bikes.

umpire54

Man that bike would be a blast to clean up and restore! DO NOT TOUCH IT! Whoever buys it deserves to get the joy of taking it to perfection. Seriously.

TheFlyingDingo

I have prettymuch decided to do so.

I dont know how to bring it on to selling it...
I cannot setup an Ebay account, since i do not have a credit card or checking account