Tradarcher

I found a Raleigh professional with full campagnolo components at my LBS. The owner knew it was worth a good bit but he still sold it to me for $175. I only purchased it because I was looking for a single speed frame that was my size. I had posted this over on the c&v and the guys there said I shouldn't convert it to single speed because of the value of it as well as the collectabilty. Just wondering what you guys think I should do with it. I know they can be worth a good but more than what I paid but I've also heard they they are fairly common. The bike does need to be completely refinished due to some rust, but all the components are in tip top shape it is the smoothest riding bike I've ever had.

Bair

No, I wouldn't. The professionals were top of the line for raleigh. Usually conversions are mid or low end. I would sell the bike and buy a fixed/ss or trade for a fixed/ss

CliffordK

I assume it has horizontal dropouts.

If it was a $10,000 bike of which only one exists in the world... I'd be concerned. But it s a $175 bike. And, Raleigh likely made thousands of them.

Do whatever you want to keep the bike on the road whether it is a Fixie/SS conversion, or brifter conversion.

And there is no reason to ride a High-Ten frame when you can ride a butted Reynold 531 (or similar) frame.

I would, however, leave the cable stops, braze-ons, and the derailleur hanger in place, unless they are otherwise damaged. Then, if someone wants to reverse the conversion in the future, it can be done.

Either store all the Campy bits, or throw them up on E-Bay (they might pay for the whole bike + conversion).

Tradarcher

Yes it does have the horizontal dropouts. And no I would not remove any parts. The blisters are a clamp that is bolted on

CliffordK

Oh, a bike that comes with blisters would be great!! On the pedals?

But, go ahead and remove the clamp on shifters (which can go for quite a bit on E-Bay if old Campy).

I think there are single speed freewheels (or fixed + lock ring) that can replace the freewheel. Don't do a half job, although you may need to reduce some of the wheel dishing. Done right, and it should turn out nice.

------------

Personally, I wouldn't choose single speed as I like high gearing for the flat roads and descents, and lower gearing for the hills. You said the bike already rides nicely. But, it is all up to you. Around here, there are quite a few college campus bikes that never hit hills.

However, you already have a bike that can climb any hill, and head out on the road for "group rides". Why limit yourself?

Since I saw the Sturmey Archer S3X hub, I have been seriously considering doing a 3 speed fixed conversion, but it probably still wouldn't be my primary bike.

Tradarcher

Haha sorry for the typo. I may leave it like it is but I will probably have to repaint it.

Tradarcher

here's a pic of it sorry for the poor lighting it's about to storm here.

seau grateau

You should convert it and send all the Campys to meee.

CliffordK

It looks like a steal for $175.

Keep in mind that you only have original paint once, so consider the costs/benefits of repainting carefully. "Patina"?

Tradarcher

Yea I think I got a pretty good deal. If I don't convert it I may sell it for the right price

miyatalover

Are you concerned about weight? That bike weighs 23+ lbs. An newer steel fixie is 19lbs. A good aluminum will be even lighter. Then there's the question of chainring. Will u be using the original 52 or get a 48/46? This bike sells for $500+. You can get a pretty nice modern track/fixie for that kind of money and someone who appreciates a vintage roadie will ride the raleigh.

Tradarcher

Not worried about the weight at all its just my mountain bike and the current road bike I have are both singlespeed I just enjoy mashing gears up Hills.

bwilli88 

No

miyatalover

I was in your position too, except I didbt want to convert a vintage roadie to fixed. I got an ironman a couple of months ago. It rode nice but the original wheelset wasn't very good. I sold it, got a fujo track comp with all modern components and I'm much happier. The fuji also weighs 5lbs less, it's very noticeable.

Have you ridden a modern track bike?

Bandera

Not in my experience.
An "obsolete" road bike would be converted to FG and kept in service when replaced by a new road race bike "back when".
By '78 this MKIV would have been a prime candidate for conversion for FG winter base miles while the new shiny 753 or SL was raced.

A MKIV Pro would be an excellent fixed gear road bike, far better than some second rate modern "fixie" with wanna-be "track" spec for long miles on indifferent surfaces.
An excellent C&V steel road frame converted to FG is the choice of many experienced FG road riders.
I regularly ride my '77 race bike converted to FG decades ago.
It rides and handles properly for long distances, was not "injured" in the conversion and the OEM components removed are in a box for the Period Correct Police to audit.

As always, suit yourself.

-Bandera

hairnet

Just because you're converting it doesn't mean you're killing it. People get too sensitive over this stuff. Some old road bike frames riding amazingly well as fixed gears. If you keep all the original parts you can always restore the bike if you choose to sell it or have a real vintage road bike to mess around on.

Scrodzilla

+1

Old Raleighs make excellent conversions. The only thing I really get "sensitive" about is the paint & decals. If it were my bike, I'd leave it with the original paint and build it up right.

FixieCycles

Too valuable. I would flip it and buy a nice frame for a single speed

Wspsux

you should convert it...to 650b

smoothness 

650b fixie conversion.

hairnet

I third this motion.

Carcosa

Would ride as is. Good looking bike.

But if you decide to go FG/SS, then do it the right way. Save everything you pull off just in case you want to switch back and do it with a period-looking crankset like this for example. IRD Defiant track crankset | Retrogression

velofinds

I say go for it. It's a high-end Raleigh, yes (top of the "regular" line), but no team bike or SBDU. There are still plenty of 'em out there. No puppies will be killed by converting it to fixed. Just do no harm or make irreversible changes. Hang onto the geared groupset if you can, but again, not the end of the world if you don't.