audiedoggie

Hey everyone! I was on craigslist looking for a bike to make my daily commuter and got this from the original owner for $30! She said it is a 1972 Raleigh Record. I like it because it is short and so am I!

I have a couple of questions. I am new to the bicycle commuting life, and don't really know anything about bicycles other than how to ride them.

First of all, she left it in her garage for at least the last 20 years. I have never taken a bicycle apart or messed with one much at all. There is a local bike shop and cafe that will take it and do all the dirty work for me so that I have a more functional jumping off point at first, but they charge $175 to do the following:

•*Bicycle is completely disassembled, cleaned, & polished
•*Headset, hubs, and bottom bracket cleaned, greased, and adjusted
•*Cables changed
•*Handlebars taped / grips changed
•*Adjust front and rear brakes
•*Adjust front and rear derailleurs
•*True front and rear wheels
•*Adjust hubs, headset, and bottom bracket
• Lube chain and cables
•*Full drivetrain cleaning, including cranks, chain, cassette, and derailleurs

Before I drop that much money on a $30 bicycle, is it too much money for all of that or is that standard? I really like this bicycle. It fits me perfectly, and frankly, it's cute!

Also, is the leather Middlemore saddle worth trying to fix up or should I replace it? It seems pretty comfy! It just is a bit gnarly.

Lastly, does anyone know what brake hoods I would buy for the brake handles?

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to offer! I learn quick, I am just starting with a lot of questions

Also, sorry about the pics! They are from my iPhone in my kitchen tonight or in my Jeep when I picked it up!

Narhay

Your bicycle for what it is is a rusted, bottom of the line bike. This is evidenced by the mostly steel parts, cottered crank, steel wheels etc. The saddle is about $15 or $20 if you recondition it a bit and you could probably get about $20-30 for just the frame itself to some person doing a fixie project. Unfortunately rust is the bane of all bicycles and the parts on it are more or less trashed. You could spend hours soaking them in oxalic acid and scrubbing with brass and steel wool but you will still end up with a low end, heavy and mostly steel bike and the parts just won't come out that well nor are they worth your time.

I would not put any money into this bike and either sell it on as a parts bike or part out the saddle and frame and donate/toss the rest. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but at least you're not out any money in my eyes.

Lascauxcaveman 

Yeah, $175 would be a silly amount to spend refurbing a bike on that end of the spectrum, unless you had some very special attachment to that exact bike.

That much money will get you a lot better bike on most cities CraigsList. If you really like the saddle, keep that, consider it $30 well spent, and move it onto a better bike when you find one for decent price. Looking for something with alloy wheels and cranks; not steel, would be a good minimum starting point.

oddjob2

I'm surprised Syracuse doesn't have a bicycle cooperative, a not for profit that teaches riders maintenance and promotes cycling. There are such orgs in Rochester and Ithaca.

$175 + parts is the going rate for a comprehensive overhaul. I would not put that much $$ into a Raleigh Record, but I would learn to do the work myself by reading all the info on how to here on bf.

You have a task list above, do what you need to and work a task at a time.

New levers on ebay cost $8.00, cheaper than hoods. Tires and tubes from niagaracycle.com for $25. A Bell cable set from walmart $7.00, chain too for $8.00.

If you feel overwhelmed, get another bike.

acoffin 

It's a good investment of $30 if you want to learn about working on bikes, but not if you're going to pay somebody to do the work. I don't think those brake levers ever came with hoods. It could be very cute after being taken apart and cleaned, but not really worth the time unless you are doing it for the learning experience.

RubberLegs

Indeed a lower end bike...not worth investing a lot in, but could be used as a learning tool, though wrenching on old, rusty, CHEAP bits can be very frustrating, and your list of new parts needed will quickly outstrip the value of the bike. Just the cost of tires, tubes, cable and chain are probably worth more than the bike. Rusty chrome rims scare me...poor braking and could BREAK if rust is too bad.

Turbo231

I totally agree. This bike is worth it if you do all your own work, but I wouldn't pay anyone anything to work on it. Make it a runner, aka get it running well, and ride it. If you like it, then start upgrading stuff, like wheels and such. I generally replace wheels that are that far gone vs. polishing the crap out of them. What you need is a similar bike, in large size that doesn't fit you, in good shape...then start swapping parts.

repechage

If I remember correctly, this bike had 26" x 1 1/4" sized rims and the tires might be a bit harder to find if you need them.
I would visit the local library and see if there is a bicycle maintenance book that looks comprehendible.
A minor investment in tools if you had none and a decent book should go a long way.
The condition of the chrome is pretty poor.
The bike shop quote is high in my mind considering they are not repacking all the bearings.
In this case, I would pump up the tires, take a Brillo or S.O.S. pad and attack the chrome, wash the bike and wipe it dry, avoiding the chain, maybe even oiling it first.
Then reference that bicycle repair book.

As mentioned, a local bike co-op would be great to help guide you.
It could be a serviceable bikes, I would only spend up to $40 in consumable parts max. Do some planning and don't start buying until you have a plan.

oddjob2

Line item #2 .

repechage

Thanks, it was the essentially double wording, where they would adjust the hubs and bottom bracket... if you are going to grease and repack them, one would assume that adjustment is part of the service... which is line itemized later.
As the shop also refers to the freewheel as a cassette... This is a modern oriented shop that would do this job for only a very profitable price in my mind.

audiedoggie

Here is one thing I forgot to mention: my work pays me back for bicycles and bicycle related costs. So it would cost me nothing once I am reimbursed :-) And I really like taking something I think looks awesome that may be of very little or no value and make it something that maybe only I see value in and use it to death

repechage

Then do some homework via library referencing, tire size. Much of what is on this bike is marginal even when new, the brakes for example. They are more work than many to adjust, they will need new brake shoes/pads and the brake levers will never be comfortable.

I would start with a better bike to begin with then, one might as well invest money in a bike that provides better utility and performance overall, no matter who's money is being spent. This bike is good for an education on the repair of a derailleur equipped bicycle.

David Newton

Hello Audie.
Yeah, it is a low-end bike, but it is YOUR low-end bike, so take heart. It is much better, and totally rebuildable by you, if you take your time and ask lots of questions here.
We love noobs who want to learn, and listen.
Yes, find a book, but read about maintenance at: https://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

Narhay

Most of the people on this forum have been down this road before. I'm guilty of this myself...buy their first old, rusted POS bike and after dumping in a bunch of money into it to get a marginal bicycle, then realizing their error but it is too late at that point. Do as has been suggested...use it to learn repairs and maintenance but don't put anymore money into it. Of course it is your bike to do with what you please and I won't preach anymore.

As an analogy...consider putting in a bunch of money into a rusted, broken down Geo Metro because you like it. Or just buying a late model Honda Civic with the money you would put into it.

Cache

Welcome. Check out https://www.sheldonbrown.com/ for many tutorials on how you can fix up your old Raleigh.
Also, My Ten Speeds has great tutorials on buying, fixing, selling vintage bicycles.
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...TRODUCTION.htm

Have fun, enjoy the ride!

jeirvine 

There's nothing wrong with a Raleigh Record frame as a basic steel rider. But I would replace literally everything but the frame and seat. If there is a co-op nearby, that could be done for under $100 if you do the work yourself (with their tools and assistance). But most co-ops also offer "build a bike" programs where you pick out a project bike, work on it to learn, do some volunteer hours in the shop, and end up with a free rebuilt bike. Most of the projects at my local co-op (Baltimore) are in better shape, and/or higher quality to begin with than your Record. If you look for another bike, as others have said - alloy wheels, crank and bars are pretty key.

And here's my co-op Record (bought at their spring cleaning sale for $15) I replaced everything but the crank & headset. I use it as an office bike to buzz aroud downtown on my lunch breaks.

goldfinch

Chrome can sometimes really clean up nicely:




Interesting to hear the prices on overhauls. I was looking at having my steel Terry overhauled this winter as I was not in a place where I could do it myself. I was quoted $350 in Florida. Not.

OP, I am impressed your work pays you for you bike costs. What kind of budget do they give you? I would base my decision on my budget.

audiedoggie

How did you do that with the chrome?!?!

I get $20 a month and can submit almost a year back It covers the bike, repairs, tune ups, parts, even locks!

Turbo231

Very nice work! However, you had dirty chrome...he has rusty chrome. While it will still clean up and shine, the pitting will be hard to miss and if too bad, the chrome will be totally gone. I would +1 a metal dork disk though and ditch the plastic one for total awesomeness. Yours is excellent.

RaleighSport

And that's no joke about the chrome cleanup...

audiedoggie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo231

Very nice work! However, you had dirty chrome...he has rusty chrome. While it will still clean up and shine, the pitting will be hard to miss and if too bad, the chrome will be totally gone. I would +1 a metal dork disk though and ditch the plastic one for total awesomeness. Yours is excellent.

She


How?! I must know!!

RaleighSport

Elbow grease, alum foil, and windex, the alum is tougher than the rust but softer then the metal, there's something about the chemical properties in the windex as well that helps.. I can't recall exactly what and when you use the foil, make sure it's decent grade stuff not dollar store cheapy or you'll be going through a lot of it.
My chrome was quite rusty as well, there is an easy way to discourage the pitting from further rusting though and it simply known as wax.

auchencrow

I am of the school of thought that older Raleigh Records are worth investing a little time and money into, but instead of paying the LBS to do the overhaul, I'd suggest buying some basic tools there and doing the work yourself.

They are OK riders (provided you do refurb it and swap out the wheels and derailleurs) and aesthetically, I think they're every bit as nice-looking as ANY bike in Raleigh's line-up. (This of course is subjective, but I really like the simplicity in them.)

Here's mine. In addition to the wheels and derailleurs, I upgraded just about every part on it except for the lovely cottered crank.

audiedoggie

Auchen that's pretty sweet!! Looks awesome!!

auchencrow

Thank you audie!