Originally Posted by scarlson

snip . . .

A Grand Record, as far as I know, should be all Reynolds 531, so it will be harder to spread the rear triangle than the lower-end "hi-tensile" frames, but won't offer nearly as much resistance as more modern bikes would. You can do it incrementally with a threaded rod between the dropouts, but I prefer putting 2x4s or other lumber between the seat tube and the dropout and prying them apart with my arms. This allows you to more easily make adjustments independently on either side, especially if you can fix the bottom bracket in a vise or clamped to a bench. Plus the lumber is easier to remove in order to insert a wheel or whatnot.