Grand Sports dumpster find
03-17-20, 04:40 PM
#1
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Grand Sports dumpster find
Yep, fresh from the dumpster. A friend texted this picture....
"Is it worth anything? Found it in the dumpster of my apartment building".
At first glance I thought heck yeah. Then I zoomed in and saw the extensive rust. But what the heck, middle of winter, need somethong to wrench on, if nothing else maybe I can salvage some parts.
Got the bike. Even worse looking than I thought. Rubbed and buffed with compounds and oils, and polish. Started removing considerable paint. It looked horrible.
Coronavirus weekend. Well, as the panic set in I figured what else to do but crack open a can of Rustoleum and have some fun. Two days, two coats. Then put it back together Monday and Tuesday(today). Sun was out and I wanted to test ride it. 20 miles later...its a keeper.
I added saddle and seatpost. It came with a SunTour VGT derailleur, but I like Simplex and had one in my stash. Wheels are from another bike. But original wheels will probably go back on when I get some new tires for them. Great ride. Has a short top tube so mire upright position. And the quirky rando bars are kinda fun.
"Is it worth anything? Found it in the dumpster of my apartment building".
At first glance I thought heck yeah. Then I zoomed in and saw the extensive rust. But what the heck, middle of winter, need somethong to wrench on, if nothing else maybe I can salvage some parts.
Got the bike. Even worse looking than I thought. Rubbed and buffed with compounds and oils, and polish. Started removing considerable paint. It looked horrible.
Coronavirus weekend. Well, as the panic set in I figured what else to do but crack open a can of Rustoleum and have some fun. Two days, two coats. Then put it back together Monday and Tuesday(today). Sun was out and I wanted to test ride it. 20 miles later...its a keeper.
I added saddle and seatpost. It came with a SunTour VGT derailleur, but I like Simplex and had one in my stash. Wheels are from another bike. But original wheels will probably go back on when I get some new tires for them. Great ride. Has a short top tube so mire upright position. And the quirky rando bars are kinda fun.
03-17-20, 04:45 PM
#2
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That is a fine looking dumpster find.
03-17-20, 04:46 PM
#3
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Nice! 
03-17-20, 05:46 PM
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shoot... now I feel a slight bit guilty for swapping out the Simplex Prestige on my Gran Sport for a SunTour Cyclone GT!
wait, wait... I'm over it now.
Your Simplex is a big improvement over the cursed Prestige, though.
Glad that you saved a Gran Sport and blessed the world with a little bit more Lagoon Blue!
Steve in Peoria
(with fond memories of my old Gran Sport)
wait, wait... I'm over it now.
Your Simplex is a big improvement over the cursed Prestige, though.
Glad that you saved a Gran Sport and blessed the world with a little bit more Lagoon Blue!
Steve in Peoria
(with fond memories of my old Gran Sport)
03-17-20, 07:01 PM
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Looks great!Ben
03-17-20, 07:23 PM
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That's a great looking bike you found. You're gonna love it. Welcome to the club.
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03-17-20, 09:20 PM
#7
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I like the look of these old Raleighs, even as both of my own GS bikes (made a couple of years apart) feature some really bad frame craftsmanship.
I always liked the look of the cranks on these bikes, the Nervar is technically better because the guard disc doesn't push the right crankarm way out like the model 93's does.
This one was perhaps only the fourth vintage bike that I ever resurrected (out of hundreds by now). I still remember riding it into work and showing it off, looking like new and sporting a stealthy "Ultra-6" type freewheel that I made from a Dura-Ace 7s freewheel (I had to seal off the outer bearing with an O-ring since I left off the smallest, externally-threaded cog). It had a poorly-aligned fork that required two aspects of correction to both center the tire under the crown and make the bike ride straight.
I always liked the look of the cranks on these bikes, the Nervar is technically better because the guard disc doesn't push the right crankarm way out like the model 93's does.
This one was perhaps only the fourth vintage bike that I ever resurrected (out of hundreds by now). I still remember riding it into work and showing it off, looking like new and sporting a stealthy "Ultra-6" type freewheel that I made from a Dura-Ace 7s freewheel (I had to seal off the outer bearing with an O-ring since I left off the smallest, externally-threaded cog). It had a poorly-aligned fork that required two aspects of correction to both center the tire under the crown and make the bike ride straight.
Last edited by dddd; 03-17-20 at 09:24 PM.
03-17-20, 09:24 PM
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I've often wondered how many of these dumpster finds are HOT bikes that perhaps the police are looking for. Many?
Cheers
Cheers
03-17-20, 09:53 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Miele Man
I've often wondered how many of these dumpster finds are HOT bikes that perhaps the police are looking for. Many?
Cheers
Cheers
03-17-20, 11:24 PM
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One thing to consider is that some of these vintage bikes, being 50 years old, may have been through several owners and possibly changed hands via unscrupulous means at some point.
I keep receipts of all the bikes that I buy from thrift stores, and make receipts to be signed by any Craigslist sellers I buy from.
I keep receipts of all the bikes that I buy from thrift stores, and make receipts to be signed by any Craigslist sellers I buy from.
03-18-20, 06:06 AM
#11
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Originally Posted by big chainring
But original wheels will probably go back on when I get some new tires for them.
What wheels, what size tires?
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03-18-20, 06:16 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by dddd
I like the look of these old Raleighs, even as both of my own GS bikes (made a couple of years apart) feature some really bad frame craftsmanship.
I always liked the look of the cranks on these bikes, the Nervar is technically better because the guard disc doesn't push the right crankarm way out like the model 93's does.
This one was perhaps only the fourth vintage bike that I ever resurrected (out of hundreds by now). I still remember riding it into work and showing it off, looking like new and sporting a stealthy "Ultra-6" type freewheel that I made from a Dura-Ace 7s freewheel (I had to seal off the outer bearing with an O-ring since I left off the smallest, externally-threaded cog). It had a poorly-aligned fork that required two aspects of correction to both center the tire under the crown and make the bike ride straight.
I always liked the look of the cranks on these bikes, the Nervar is technically better because the guard disc doesn't push the right crankarm way out like the model 93's does.
This one was perhaps only the fourth vintage bike that I ever resurrected (out of hundreds by now). I still remember riding it into work and showing it off, looking like new and sporting a stealthy "Ultra-6" type freewheel that I made from a Dura-Ace 7s freewheel (I had to seal off the outer bearing with an O-ring since I left off the smallest, externally-threaded cog). It had a poorly-aligned fork that required two aspects of correction to both center the tire under the crown and make the bike ride straight.
With all its shortcomings in construction it still has a nice ride. Floats down the road like a 531 bike should. What started out as a short shakedown ride ended up being 20 miles. And other than adjusting the saddle once, the bike was solid. Brakes, derailleurs all adjusted just the way I like them.
Oddly, in greasing the BB, I found the bike has a Stronglight BB in conjunction with the Nervar crank. Wonder how that combo came to be. Whether it cane from Raleigh that way, or was the crank replaced at some time.
03-18-20, 07:05 AM
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Such a nice color, that Lagoon Blue. Sweet score!
How do these Gran, er Grand - Sport, er Sports
, compare to a Super Course ride-wise? I would imagine very similar with an equally decent set of wheels.
How do these Gran, er Grand - Sport, er Sports
, compare to a Super Course ride-wise? I would imagine very similar with an equally decent set of wheels.
03-18-20, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by 76SLT
That's a great looking bike you found. You're gonna love it. Welcome to the club.
I've never seen a Gran Sport with Nervex lugs in person... very cool!
I think we need to do a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride sometime. I've got an International and a Team that could show up, and Dan M. has a big Pro in blue mink and silver that would help fill out the roster.
Steve in Peoria (not really northern Illinois, but adjacent)
03-18-20, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
lovely!
I've never seen a Gran Sport with Nervex lugs in person... very cool!
I think we need to do a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride sometime. I've got an International and a Team that could show up, and Dan M. has a big Pro in blue mink and silver that would help fill out the roster.
Steve in Peoria (not really northern Illinois, but adjacent)
I've never seen a Gran Sport with Nervex lugs in person... very cool!
I think we need to do a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride sometime. I've got an International and a Team that could show up, and Dan M. has a big Pro in blue mink and silver that would help fill out the roster.
Steve in Peoria (not really northern Illinois, but adjacent)
Count me in for the Raleigh ride. Great idea!
Bernie
03-18-20, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by BFisher
Such a nice color, that Lagoon Blue. Sweet score!
How do these Gran, er Grand - Sport, er Sports, compare to a Super Course ride-wise? I would imagine very similar with an equally decent set of wheels.
How do these Gran, er Grand - Sport, er Sports
, compare to a Super Course ride-wise? I would imagine very similar with an equally decent set of wheels.Off-road geometry in other words, outright "gravel" bikes. Also great for winding your way down from the mountains at speed.
And I definitely select a larger frame size with these, versus modern bikes (or even versus other vintage bikes having more-upright steering geometry).
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03-19-20, 11:27 AM
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GREAT FIND !!!
And what a job you did fixing it up !!!!
It just needed a " little" elbow grease and love
Love the color combo
Awesome job !!!!!
And what a job you did fixing it up !!!!
It just needed a " little" elbow grease and love
Love the color combo
Awesome job !!!!!
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03-19-20, 04:14 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by jimmuller
Nice.
What wheels, what size tires?
What wheels, what size tires?
03-20-20, 08:12 AM
#22
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Originally Posted by big chainring
27" wheels. Normandy hubs/Weinmann rims. I'll probably go with Pasela tires.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
03-21-20, 08:23 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by 76SLT
That's a great looking bike you found. You're gonna love it. Welcome to the club.
Do those have different seat tube angles, or is it just a parallax or other optical error due to the lens?
The one in front seems older, at least due to downtube script. But certainly a bevy of bicycle beauties! I really like the sky blue cables, too! I've always been a big fan of the 1969 Competition.
03-21-20, 08:49 AM
#25
Senior Member
Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
lovely!
I've never seen a Gran Sport with Nervex lugs in person... very cool!
I think we need to do a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride sometime. I've got an International and a Team that could show up, and Dan M. has a big Pro in blue mink and silver that would help fill out the roster.
Steve in Peoria (not really northern Illinois, but adjacent)
I've never seen a Gran Sport with Nervex lugs in person... very cool!
I think we need to do a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride sometime. I've got an International and a Team that could show up, and Dan M. has a big Pro in blue mink and silver that would help fill out the roster.
Steve in Peoria (not really northern Illinois, but adjacent)
I would be very enthusiastic about a Northern Illinois Retro Raleigh ride! Please float some dates so I can set a deadline for my older-than-me 1952 Rudge (made by Raleigh) return-to-flight build.
