My Poor Raleigh Grand Prix
 

I bought this at the last second on that online auction...I'm not sure why, except the seller lives near me, and it was only $25.00. Seems like it's a mismatch of parts...and that saddle (if you can call it that)...:twitchy: I kind feel sorry for it, but in a good way.

Anyway...just wanted to share...I'll post better photos when I get her home.

Put a decent saddle on it and get rid of that funky mirror. Its got downtube shifters so thats good

That saddle looks like it should have a lid that lifts straight off to reveal many chocolate treats separated in brown wax paper cups.

Fortunately, the rest of the bike looks like it has promise. Hard to beat that for $25.

Personally, I'd be wary of any chocolate treats left behind on a saddle.

Mmmm, tootsie rolls!

Neal

I think you did fine. You have a decent frame and lots of good components, so you are off to a great start.

Agreed, a great find. Get a proper saddle and some proper bars (either drop bars, or flip those bars upside down), and a proper stem, and that Raleigh will be gorgeous again.

Hard to tell what vintage that is, but for a year or two the hubs on those bikes were Brampton flip flops. Check for threading (two sets of threads, actually) on the rear hub, side opposite the freewheel. In that case, the hubs are worth far more than the bike, given the recent nuttiness for all things vintage and track. And certainly more than 25$; I sold a pair for over 200$ on ebuy once, and a lone rear for @ 75$ IIRC.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the feedback, I'm hoping to have the bike at my house by the weekend, and I have a line on a Wrights saddle for it already. From the sellers description, it sounds like the bike (which I'm guessing is an early '70s model year) is a mismatch of parts. I'll make sure to post detailed pictures, as I know next to nothing about bikes, and will definently need help learning.

Thanks again!

$25?

You done real good!

This looks a lot like my '68. It came with Simplex front and rear DRs, Weinman centerpulls, white brake hoods, a Wrights saddle, cottered cranks, winged nut hubs, steel rims and a heavy attitude. Here is a picture I took of it when it was original, before I tarted it up with some higher end goodies. Its a great bike. You scored a good one.:thumb: Have fun!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/Raleigh4.jpg