Yes. I plead guilty to clickbaiting, but truthfully. Hopefully, as the thread wears on, there will be enough pictures (link to the Flickr album) to make it worthwhile. This is about the makeover of my Raleigh Competition. Here's the backstory. It isn't especially unique. Boy rides bikes. Boy likes to ride bikes fast. Boy grows up, drives, starts family, gets away from bicycling, and in mid life, rediscovers joy in riding and wrenching. Man amasses a number of bikes (in this case, mainly Raleighs).

Along the way, man determines that randonneuring is an especially worthy pursuit, and attempts to build up a bike for the purpose. (Surly LHT). Despite it being very mechanically sound, it doesn't work as a randoneuse. Man tries again. (1959 Viking Severn Valley) Despite it being mechanically sound, it is a bit too large, and it also doesn't work.

Man notices that there are a bunch or Raleighs hanging up in the garage - Team Pro, Professional, two Competitions, a Grand Sports... Man fixates on not having an International and decides that he should get one and make it his randoneuse. Of course, that would require some modifications, so it must have poor paint, so as to not ruin something special for the sake of his vanity. Man actively seeks the International in vain and acquires an Argos on the hope of it fitting the bill. {It would have, but it is far too nice.) Man finally realizes. "duh! the 1972 Competition meets all the criteria, except for it not being an International". That is where things start.

Awkward transition back from 3rd person self-references

After a bit of asking around, it seemed that the frame would be appropriate for what I had in mind. It's a very comfortable size for me, it's relatively light, the geometry provides a comfortable, but responsive ride, and there's clearance for 42's with a 650B wheel. But how to explain this to an old bike that's been my fixed gear machine?



well, I let Loki explain.



I kicked ideas around with gugie, who has been great about everything - from asking questions, to providing feedback, to listening and answering questions. We formed a plan, came to terms, and then I got to work - taking the bike apart, and because of the torch work needed and the state of the paint, stripping the paint... and because the Capella lugs didn't look like there's been a file within a meter of them, to try my hand at some basic lug refining.

A few pictures - there are more in the album that's linked at the top of the post.



Look at those lugs,



a bit beyond "patina"



So off it comes...



No turning back now



and I noticed what might be a crack.

to be continued...