I recently was given a 76(?) Raleigh record frame and a box of (all original) parts my best friend was working on when he passed by his mother. I got it up and running and am happy to show it off but it's WAY too tall for me. I like the legnth but the top tube is kinda up in my down tube... Does anyone else ride a ill fitting frame for sentimental reasons? Or am I just being an idot and should keep it on my wall?

trade the frame for a smaller frame the memories are yours

How about a picture?

If you have the room to store it, why not? I wouldn't do long distances on an ill fitting bike, but short recreational rides, sure!

A lot of vintage stuff, as the size goes up, the top tube doesn't grow that much.

I'd use it, nice to have and keep maintained. Every bike has a story, and you know the story of that one. If, when (or not) you move on from it you have a wonderful tale to tell.

Keep in mind that tall frames were popular in the 1970s. However, I do agree with the others that a frame you could use for occasional short hops is not necessarily one you would want for serious, longer, or more frequent rides.

Erroneously posted to wrong thread, hopefully my delete will work eventually.

How way too tall is it? In this era of sloping TT and long seatposts, it's difficult to gauge what people mean by too tall.

Can you get both heels flat on the ground when standing over the top tube? If so, you're fine, even if just barely. If not, IMO it's a wall hanger, though some people do in fact ride bigger frame sizes than they can straddle. (especially in past decades)

Depends on how you live the word 'sentimental'.

For 'best friend', maybe it should be held for at least a while.

Long term, in-your-best-memories does not equal in-your-face-memories. At least, for me.

I can straddle it. And I love riding it. I didn't post pictures because I converted it to a single speed and did similar to what he would have done. Although I did keep all the original parts.
And by sentimental and best friend I mean we grew up together and went through...everything together up until he passed at 20. So even though we fought a few times we never weren't friends. And he never had a chance to piss me off or loose touch so...still haven't had a friend to top him.

Also the bikes a beast. And riding here in columbus, Ga the roads aren't horrible but they're not great. But visiting friends in Buffalo and New Orleans...it's like a 70s muscle car vs a modern Ferrari. Ferrari is faster. But you can't hit a pothole or go over a speed bump. Between the sentimentality of it and the fact I can bunny hop a pothole...this bike is (expletive deleted) FUN!! With the seat so close to the top tube I really feel like I have alot more control and just generally more connected to the bike riding.

FWIW typical 70's fit was the biggest bike you could straddle. So you are authentic. There's something to be said for the old fit style. Often more comfortable and just better.

Smaller frame sizes started to get popular in the 80s thanks to Greg Lemond and others.

Go with it then. I rarely (if ever) straddle my TT with both feet on the ground. I always have one foot on a pedal if the other is on the ground. As long as you can straddle it, IMO another inch or two of clearance isn't going to matter if for some reason you crotch your TT. In fact gravity says a higher top tube means you hit it with less force than if you continued to gain momentum by falling farther.

Then this is my new main ride! Haha

There’s no rule against posting pictures of singlespeeds.

Sorry for your loss. Sounds like a true friend.

^My thoughts exactly.