Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

'73 Raleigh Gran Sport - I think I'll keep it!

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

'73 Raleigh Gran Sport - I think I'll keep it!

Old 10-27-12, 02:36 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,319
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times in 347 Posts
'73 Raleigh Gran Sport - I think I'll keep it!

I responded to a CL ad the other night for this Raleigh Gran Sport. I didn't think that it would last or that I had a chance of getting it as the asking price was fairly low. Kinda figured it would be in poor condition but with a spit and polish maybe I could flip it. Met with the seller, I was the only one that responded to the ad, and struck a deal that was even better than expected. And the bike had been gone over pretty thoroughly. Wheels were true, gears adjusted, brakes adjusted with new brake pads installed. Its a winner. Took it for a short ride in the heat wave we had for one day, and its a real beauty.

I'd love to see what others have done to their Gran Sports, so post pics if you got 'em.

big chainring is online now  
Old 10-27-12, 03:08 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,127
Mentioned: 480 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3788 Post(s)
Liked 6,575 Times in 2,580 Posts
I ran my Gran Sports in a few different configurations before selling it off, but here it is with upright bars and a Sturmey-Archer 2-speed kickback hub:

nlerner is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 03:16 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
jeirvine's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,972

Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T

Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 784 Post(s)
Liked 515 Times in 279 Posts
Nice find, you are going to love it. Mine was also a CL find in much better shape than I had expected. I added the seat, cables, Paselas, bar wrap and bar-cons, and the Suntour RD - these bikes deserve better than the stock Simplex RD/shifters. It's a definite keeper - a great ride.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy

Last edited by jeirvine; 10-27-12 at 03:18 PM. Reason: bettering
jeirvine is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 03:17 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
auchencrow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,327
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 39 Times in 31 Posts
^ Nice score BC! ^

I think that the Grand Sports is truly one of Raliegh's most ride-friendly and classic offerings, but with a strong Carlton heritage (-including those white and lagoon blue colors - my favorite combination!)

Here's mine (below) - also a '73. Here it's wearing a Suntour Vx and white Tressostar. (I installed Paselas and a silver Crane bell soon after these pics were taken and the tires make it even better.)



__________________
- Auchen
auchencrow is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 04:08 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,319
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times in 347 Posts
Nice bikes guys, keep 'em coming. Somehow at sometime a set of tubulars was put on my example.Really like the ride with the tubulars. I could see putting a a pair of Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires on in the future. Go for the plush ride.
big chainring is online now  
Old 10-27-12, 05:07 PM
  #6  
Rustbelt Rider
 
mkeller234's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 9,126

Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban

Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times in 176 Posts
I made the mistake of putting deep drops on mine, because they are pretty. I'll probably go back to the GB rando bars in the future. I also went with 27 x 1 tires, wish I had gone with 1 1/4 instead. I've considered selling mine from time to time, but can't quite bring myself to do it. I've sold my Raleigh Pro instead.... something I thought would never happen. It's a nice bike.


DSC00424 by mkeller234, on Flickr


DSC00431 by mkeller234, on Flickr
__________________
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
mkeller234 is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 05:29 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,319
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times in 347 Posts
'73 Raleigh Gran Sport - I think I'll keep it!

I like the bag and support.

Also the Huret Multito. I have to put one on mine .
big chainring is online now  
Old 10-27-12, 06:29 PM
  #8  
curmudgineer
 
old's'cool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,429

Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 111 Times in 70 Posts
BC Ya done good! One of my favorite paint schemes; it's nice to see one that's held up over the years.
Since I got it, my GS has been busy racking up cross country miles (in a box!), so I haven't had a chance to set it up personally yet. Here is the thread describing how I acquired it, including pics from the seller. Planned changes are: customized gearing (something like 13-24 freewheel, & 48-45 chainrings), white brake hoods, white cables & bar tape, toe clips with white straps, and standard Crane instead of Crane GS RD. Oh, and proper GB Randonneur handlebar, instead of similar Sakae World Randonneur currently fitted. Speaking of which, MK, if you should decide to unload your GB Randonneur bar, please let me know.
old's'cool is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 07:08 PM
  #9  
What??? Only 2 wheels?
 
jimmuller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,452

Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10

Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times in 232 Posts
From a few years ago now:


Vx derailleurs, Sun M13II rims, Shimano 600 hubs, Sugino RT(?) crank, compact double gearing. Stretched out to 6spd rear (by an unknown previous owner).
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
jimmuller is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 08:11 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,319
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times in 347 Posts
'73 Raleigh Gran Sport - I think I'll keep it!

Wow, great stuff. Old's'cool - like the "opposite" color scheme. I don't think i have ever seen the blue/white color scheme in person.

Really want to get out tomorrow for a good ride. Only have 10 miles on this bike. Just getting everything set the way I like it. I'll have to report on how she rides. I was impressed with it on the short ride i took but was still getting seat height and handle bar set.
big chainring is online now  
Old 10-27-12, 08:35 PM
  #11  
Forum Moderator
 
cb400bill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,325

Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista

Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3059 Post(s)
Liked 6,382 Times in 3,693 Posts
Not mine, but one I saw out in the wild a couple years back.

__________________












cb400bill is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 09:01 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
orangeology's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,318

Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times in 33 Posts
(image link fixed)

mine is here. a '74. not too much periodically correct restoration, but still beautiful Raleigh to me.
repainted in orange with some modifications including reconditioned Agda saddle, Campy Chorus crank, Suntour VX mechs, VO Milan bar etc.
it's more like a townie now.

1st one is before upgrading the handle bar (old GB rando bar), while the 2nd is after Milan bar installed




Last edited by orangeology; 10-28-12 at 09:31 AM. Reason: edit
orangeology is offline  
Old 10-27-12, 09:33 PM
  #13  
curmudgineer
 
old's'cool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chicago SW burbs
Posts: 4,429

Bikes: 2 many 2 fit here

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 263 Post(s)
Liked 111 Times in 70 Posts
Originally Posted by orangeology
Login required ?!?!?!
old's'cool is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 07:06 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
due ruote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,707
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 903 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times in 318 Posts
Nice bike. Mine's a '73 also, although you wouldn't know it anymore.

due ruote is offline  
Old 10-28-12, 09:32 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
orangeology's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,318

Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times in 33 Posts
Originally Posted by old's'cool
Login required ?!?!?!
link fixed above. sorry.
orangeology is offline  
Old 02-02-13, 06:11 PM
  #16  
What??? Only 2 wheels?
 
jimmuller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,452

Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10

Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times in 232 Posts
Zombie thread time. But what the heck, it's a new look for an old friend.

__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
jimmuller is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GordoTrek
Classic & Vintage
109
05-25-20 05:54 PM
DaveinDC
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
7
12-18-18 01:05 PM
CannedWalrus
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
1
09-07-17 09:55 PM
skyblue
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
7
10-04-12 09:43 AM
Miyata110
Classic & Vintage
33
02-05-12 10:46 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.