CL find: Raleigh Grand Prix. Fair price? and would you mod it?
 

Following this thread I went into CL and put in the search term "raleigh" and one of these pops up.

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/743/31...c56e213866.jpg

From Sheldon Brown's Raleigh catalogs it looks to be a 1976 Raleigh Grand Prix. Asking $135. Looks like it may fit (I'm guessing the 19" model). I would probably mod it with some porteur bars and possibly switch to an 8speed internal hubbed wheel (maybe). I don't need another bike right now but $135 looks like a fair enough price on it..the SO may not be too happy with the stable growing...but it's soooo pretty...:twitchy:

Fair price? Would you mod it? comparing pics to the catalog, pedals seat, handlebars and suicide brake lever on DS appears to be off...

Fair price? Heck yeah. Beautiful bike!

What can I say, rode a Grand Prix for 40 years. All they really need is alloy wheels to come alive.
Also one of the best-qualified touring/utility bikes you can find.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7.../aP5280023.jpg

ps - they easily take 700c and will fit 35mm w/ fenders
I ran mine with 27x1 Conti, 27x1-1/8 Panaracer, Parigi-Roubaix, Strada Bianca, and Stampede Pass. 700cx32mm is a really good trade-off for comfort and speed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...aaP5260002.jpg

Fair price.
I would hold out for a Super Course, but this is now.
I think the bike is going to feel bigger than the seat tube suggests, as I recall the top tubes were long for this size.

they're Carlton geometry (GP and SC frames weigh the same, use the same thickness tubing and have the same rear triangles and forks, except the GP is slightly lower trail)
Of course mine is 25-1/2" frame, but the top tube is 58cm.
If it is a long top tube for its size, that will just make it ride better and match porteur bars great.

The price is a bit high as far as I am concerned.
the green one was free and the blue one was $35 for the frame and fork.
now a sweet single speed
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i..._144326186.jpg
A nice dingle speed flat bar
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i..._144334877.jpg

My ridable bikes that are in the states.
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i..._144403789.jpg

The Super Course was 531 straight gauge for the three main tubes and the GP is Raleigh's 2030, if I remember correctly. SC also had alloy rims and cotterless crank by 74 Some had alloy cranks. I'm not knocking the GP, the one pictured looks to be in nice shape and all though it may need some finishing touches or more than is obvious.

It looks to have Huret derailleurs and shifters -- the same ones that came on our 74 Super Course MKII. With an 7-8 speed chain and "modern" freewheel they seem to work fine. The high flange Normandy hubs take a shine well and are ok, too.

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals with 3 day forwarding.

I think the one you're looking at has a 21" frame. On a 19" frame the top and down tubes almost meet at the head tube.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b4...0/DSC01745.jpg

So it may be too large.

I think $135 should be able to get you something that's chromoly and has aluminum rims. I went through the same torture of want when a 1977 Schwinn Le Tour II popped up on my CL for cheap. Gorgeous color (pearlescent orange), but it didn't check off any of the boxes I'd normally want, so I didn't pull the trigger.

Maybe if you told us what CL you browse we could offer some suggestions.

Price seems a bit high to me as well. Not outlandishly, so if you go ride it and feel like it fits, it would not be the end of the world at that price. Like others, I prefer the Super Course...and you can find them for just a bit more usually (dependent on where you are located)...

Looks like you're right. Found another GP around here (although not as pretty and asking more) that is a stated 19" and the tubes do look closer together. I emailed the guy just to check though...:p

I'm sure you guys could find some nice examples but, no, not going to tell you...you guys are not going to be doing me any good as far as the relationship goes. :lol:

I am digging the Super Course even more! those half-chromed seat-stays are Teh Sex!