Originally Posted by Prowler

Bent, About a year and a half ago I was a new guy with a Raleigh Professional too. My frame was made August 1976 - who knows when the bike was first built up. I started right out with a frame up overhaul. Resolved some issues, replaced some parts, painted the TT and DT due to 'life on the trainer' type corrosion the set out on the road in April 2014. I've rolled 1100 miles on the clock since then and really like mine. Of my 4 road bikes (the Mk IV is the oldest) it's my go to bike. Out again tomorrow for the sweet glide from Oaks, PA down to Manayunk and back. D#$%^ the headwinds, full speed ahead.

Given my normal ride of 15 miles out with a tailwind and then back against the headwind I generally average 15mph. I can burst to 25mph but that's just bursts. Keep going, baby steps become little steps become big steps become metric centuries become imperial centuries become doubles.

I never gets easier, you just go faster and it feels great. Enjoy that great bike and persist.

Bent push rods? Nobody remembers those..........