Nice one, cheers ex-neighbour!

Informative because in the UK, Raleigh and Carlton were marketed as two separate brands. My initial confusion prompted some digging and now I know. Many thanks for that and it should be a nice build.

I have a much rattier specimen of your ‘73 that came to me with ruined chrome that I built up with 44/42T chainrings and a Surly Dingle 17/19T fixed cog on one side of the cub and a White Industries 20/22T freewheel on the other for 70-in pavement and 60-in gravel fixed-gear or 60-in general rambling and 52-in gentle singletrack on 35 mm cyclocross tires. Mine replaces a long lost, much missed ‘71 Competition I rescued from a trash heap and foolishly parted with.

Not on par with other trash saves but the timing of it gives me a chuckle.

I was riding the Brompton through my neighborhood this dusky evening when I saw an orange bike flag atop a fiberglass pole next to their trash can. Stopped and asked the couple if I could have it, yes they said. They then asked if I have ever heard of “Free Spirit”. Gave them a good run down on what I knew and they were pleased.

Really pleased when I told them I was now building back up my Austrian Ted Williams Free Spirit to pull my single wheel cargo hauler!

Thats why I need the flag...

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e7d1413c0.jpeg
Big grocery days ahead and animal rides in the front bracket for sure!

I really wanted a red '71 nut never came across so this one will "have to do". ;)

Taking this Animal for a ride?


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3472307e.jpeg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...51337932f.jpeg
Found for $15 at the co-op. I tried pumping up some tires and the handle was pushed up by the air pressure and the gauge went to 0. Took it apart, cleaned everything and greased the plunger and o rings, cleaned the check valve. Put it back together and had no problem pumping to 120.

Longest stuck post I've ever gotten loose...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5b03700d76.jpg

Ha! More like these cuties!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6261ee2f3.jpeg
Kitty Polly and toy poodle S’nick.

Not a bad $20 spent
 

No bushings for the press unfortunately...
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5d1b01f02.jpg
Yeah...I think I got a decent deal.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9519d43773.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0acd06f0f2.jpg
Any idea what tool this is? Also, how the heck do you use a non-metric darn caliper...haha.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ff5c11a140.jpg
My favorite so far...Shimano at its best...

The freewheel tool looks a lot like one I use for certain old French freewheels, but which one I couldn't tell you! I had a Shimano crank puller identical to that one many years ago, purchased c.1979 or so to help service my '76 Puch Royal X that came stock with a first gen Dura-Ace crankset and BB. From what I read, the ONLY BB for that crankset is the original one. Score!

2001 Kona FireMountain

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ee1763fe5.jpeg
As found at metal recycling depot along with the wheels that were laying nearby
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7ace2d17.jpeg
As is today, polished aluminum with Surly Sunrise bars Suntour XCPro rear derailleur and Oury grips

A set of Mitutoyo 6" dial calipers in good shape is worth that and more all day long. Yeah, you did good.

Same goes for the Sugino BB tools IMO. ;)

Mine have gotten it done when no other could, quite a few times.

Murray Missile merziac rustystrings61

No one noticed the Park Ht-1 truing stand!

...dirty but perfect operationally...

I literally pooped my pants when the gentleman asked what do I want (I bought two bikes for $80, then asked about the tools he mentioned)...so...

and correction..checked my Venmo...it was 40 not 20.

Nice guy. Really interesting conversation.

Truing wheels is the weakest room in my "wheel" house, terrible at it, always have been, always will be, truing stands don't get my wheel averse attention. :twitchy:

Not again!
 

Yep, I broke probation and drug these 2 home this morning. Paint and decals are "pretty good". They were owned since new by a now elderly couple and their son was selling them. Copper bike had Bluemels on it but they were trashed, it has crappy steel hubs with pressed on cups with Rigida steel rims, the skewers are Simplex plus Simplex DT shifters, Sunotur AR FD and a Suntour GT RD. Purple bike has Suntour stem shifters, Shimano FD and Simplex RD but the Rigida rims are laced to Normandy hubs with Atom skewers. No definite plans but I figured they were worth $50 for the pair and a half a tank of gas.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5199e612f6.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...62fd9e30b6.jpg

The copper bike looks like a 23" frame, which is pretty hard to find. I would grab one like it and save it for my old(er) age when I can't swing a leg over my diamond frames. I already have a 23" ladies' Raleigh Sports stashed away but will also need a derailleur bike.

Ohhhwww! The sausages!! How delicious are they**********!!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...50bbf1d25.jpeg

Our Evil Overlord Maximillian would never consent, sad to say although the beast has travelled many thousands of miles by train (over his 15 years) with decorum and dignity, even shaming other rail passengers into leaving the carriage (more than once). Good Boy!

Yes, it is a 23" and "old age" was in the back of my mind, I'm already no Spring chicken and I figured this one may be what keeps me on 2 wheels someday but only after some serious TLC. He originally wanted $100 each because they were "RARE!", he dropped it to $25 a piece a few days ago and that little voice started whispering in my ear.... "Save them......... save them........" I almost didn't make the drive but I'm glad now I did. The purple one has the better paint but neither one is terrible, especially for Gitanes of that vintage. Only a few scratches and some rust on the kickstand plates and on the very edges of the lugs at the bottom bracket. A little wire brush action and some Loctite Extend rust convertor and they'll be good as gold. Not sure of this works but I hope so.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4550cce4ad.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...049a6a9dfb.jpg

Not caught yet
 

I plan to pick up a 1985 Schwinn Traveller mixte tomorrow morning. I didn't intend on buying another bike, but the price is too good to pass up.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8457f9ccee.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c90f40ffa3.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9718b28c67.jpg

:foo: I've heard that somewhere before...... I can't quite put a finger on where though.....

Peugeot deal on local CL...
 

This ol' Peugeot is mine for the taking from a posting on CL... Looks in decent condition, just a bit rough around the edges.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...26052f970e.jpg
Needs attention but looks worthy.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...84d3884a2d.jpg
Guessing it dates from 1970s (?) but have a shot at it.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fcf2a6ef1d.jpg
Can anyone ID it from this tag?

Deal on a diamond in the rough..
 

Picked up this Lotus Excelle gemstone lacking luster last autumn before a Patriots 4:30 Sunday game. Seller told me it was hanging in his garage since 1979 and layers of funk on it showed truth to claim. Shimano Arabesque shifts. Had to wait all winter into spring b4 27" gumwall tires arrived at Warehouse. Their stock went like hotcakes! Shown on CL for $75. I offered $50, he met me halfway at $60. I asked, "Have you had much response from your posting?" He said, "Lots of calls but nobody showed up to see it." He who snoozes loses.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...757aaf3e98.jpg
Garage grunge to the max! Did he ever ride it at all!?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5a5f44fd0f.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...649934c8f0.jpg
I believe seat clamp may be on backwards..

Seller's garage clutter... Buyer's owning pleasure! 😊

Little touch-up paint and wax, hoping it gleams.

Well, I picked up this morning. Nothing is stuck, everything works, and the tires hold air. Now I need to clean it, remove some rust on a few chrome parts, and service the cables and bearings. BTW, the seat post and stem were way over extended.