Raleigh Gran Sport
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Raleigh Gran Sport
I've just acquired a gran sport which I wish to restore. It's Venitian Blue. I have seen a colour code on one of the forums but can no longer find it. Any ideas? Also the year it's stamped number 152461 on the bottom bracket with no letters?
Any comments appreciated.
Any comments appreciated.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,484
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 407 Post(s)
Liked 439 Times
in
235 Posts
Welcome! I should let you know the price of admission is always pictures of your project....
For more information (possibly) on your bike try googling "The headbadge" and have a browse through Kurt's site.

#4
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,438
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: 1219 Post(s)
Liked 580 Times
in
219 Posts
I'm curious why you called it Venetian Blue. I see a white bike. In a snowstorm. 
The correct name for the early to mid-70's blue was Lagoon Blue, which was Carlton's racing team color (so it has been said here in C&V - I wouldn't know from personal experience). They made the Gran Sport (spelled several different ways) as either blue/white or white/blue.
Here is mine, like jj1091's, but his picture is a better representation of the color on my monitor.

The correct name for the early to mid-70's blue was Lagoon Blue, which was Carlton's racing team color (so it has been said here in C&V - I wouldn't know from personal experience). They made the Gran Sport (spelled several different ways) as either blue/white or white/blue.
Here is mine, like jj1091's, but his picture is a better representation of the color on my monitor.

__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,327
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 28 Times
in
23 Posts
Welcome to C&V Wheea001!
A picture would help greatly.
A 5-digit s/n stamped on the bb shell does not coincide with the years of production for a GS, and the name "Gran Sport" (vs. the fuller "Grand Sports" name) points to a Carlton-made bike from post-late '73.
Also, I have not heard a reference to "Venetian" blue for a Gran Sport - the color was "Lagoon" blue - one of the best colors ever conceived of for any bike, IMHO.
These are wonderful riding bikes by the way, and a very worthy project.
Here's mine:

__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
Last edited by auchencrow; 01-25-15 at 07:46 AM.
#6
Senior Member
I mixed cerulean blue with white to match the Lagoon blue. For scratches and small chips I use acrylic art paints. After they dry a coat of wax will buff it up nice.
#7
I'm a Classic Man.
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Central Valley California
Posts: 577
Bikes: Anything with a full record group.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Welcome to C&V Wheea001!
A picture would help greatly.
A 5-digit s/n stamped on the bb shell does not coincide with the years of production for a GS, and the name "Gran Sport" (vs. the fuller "Grand Sports" name) points to a Carlton-made bike from post-late '73.
Also, I have not heard a reference to "Venetian" blue for a Gran Sport - the color was "Lagoon" blue - one of the best colors ever conceived of for any bike, IMHO.
These are wonderful riding bikes by the way, and a very worthy project.
Here's mine:

A picture would help greatly.
A 5-digit s/n stamped on the bb shell does not coincide with the years of production for a GS, and the name "Gran Sport" (vs. the fuller "Grand Sports" name) points to a Carlton-made bike from post-late '73.
Also, I have not heard a reference to "Venetian" blue for a Gran Sport - the color was "Lagoon" blue - one of the best colors ever conceived of for any bike, IMHO.
These are wonderful riding bikes by the way, and a very worthy project.
Here's mine:

#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 2,351
Bikes: 92 Colnago Master PIU, 83 Pinarello Record, 92 Tommaso, 92 Merckx MX Leader, 90 Serotta Colorado II, 99 Tommasini Sintesi, 90 Pinarello Montello, 89 Tommasini Super Prestige, 08 Look 585, 89 Merckx Corsa Extra, 72 Holdsworth Professional and 3 more
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 332 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times
in
210 Posts
I did a repaint of my Grand Sports because the paint job was very rough. Luckily the chrome was in near perfect condition. I used white wheel paint (tough stuff) and Rust-Oleum blue gloss enamel. The blue was almost a perfect match for lagoon blue.

#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwrigh...57594494565758
im sorry, I'm new to forums, don't even know how to upload an image yet. It's darker blue, all sanded down now. If it's possible to see the above link? I
t's like this 1961 one. However the badge is just oval, aluminium, no colour.
im sorry, I'm new to forums, don't even know how to upload an image yet. It's darker blue, all sanded down now. If it's possible to see the above link? I
t's like this 1961 one. However the badge is just oval, aluminium, no colour.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 12,694
Mentioned: 369 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3187 Post(s)
Liked 2,048 Times
in
1,432 Posts
the bike in the photo album certainly looks like a Gran Prix, two models down from a Gran Sport.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,387
Mentioned: 441 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3372 Post(s)
Liked 5,076 Times
in
2,105 Posts
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes, that's the one "flamboyant Venitian blue" serial number doesn't give a year though. Guess I'll stick with early 60,s.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,484
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 407 Post(s)
Liked 439 Times
in
235 Posts
Pictures are great - and things are cleaning up really nicely! Unfortunately on the serial number the only clue you get from Kurt's site is that 5 digit serial numbers on the bottom bracket point to early 60s (which you already knew).....so no luck there.
#17
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,438
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: 1219 Post(s)
Liked 580 Times
in
219 Posts
#18
I'm a Classic Man.
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Central Valley California
Posts: 577
Bikes: Anything with a full record group.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
October November December .... 10,11,12...... Could this explain the extra digit?
#20
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,558
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2204 Post(s)
Liked 1,775 Times
in
1,096 Posts
Do you have the original wheelset? The Dunlop lightweight rims are somewhat desirable and have value, as well as the hubs. Throw nothing out.
#21
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 40,234
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 498 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7046 Post(s)
Liked 1,880 Times
in
1,137 Posts
It was certainly not Campy (Campagnolo). It was Carlton, without an 'e'. Carlton was a bike company which Raleigh bought in about 1960. Thereafter, Raleigh used the Carlton factory for making most of its high-end bikes.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#22
I'm a Classic Man.
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Central Valley California
Posts: 577
Bikes: Anything with a full record group.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It was just an odd occurance I guess that the red c hanger bolt on the campy gs rd matched the red c seat post bolt identically in appearance... Weird.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 12,694
Mentioned: 369 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3187 Post(s)
Liked 2,048 Times
in
1,432 Posts
the seat post bolt is made by Gripfast and is of Whitworth dimension.
Last edited by juvela; 02-01-15 at 01:31 PM. Reason: spellin'
#25
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 26
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
raleigh gran sport gloss seaside spray paint matches well
Raleigh Gran Sport Gloss Seaside Spray Paint from Rustoleum matches well!
I did a repaint of my Grand Sports because the paint job was very rough. Luckily the chrome was in near perfect condition. I used white wheel paint (tough stuff) and Rust-Oleum blue gloss enamel. The blue was almost a perfect match for lagoon blue. I tried multiple rustoleums and the best match I could find was
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rust-Oleum-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have not sprayed it yet but the cap and the Raleigh Gran Sport blue appear to have an uncanny match! I am stoked! Hopefully this color match will help other Raleigh Gran Sport, Raleigh Grand Sport, Raleigh Grand Sports owners
Attachment 430380Attachment 430381
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rust-Oleum-...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
I have not sprayed it yet but the cap and the Raleigh Gran Sport blue appear to have an uncanny match! I am stoked! Hopefully this color match will help other Raleigh Gran Sport, Raleigh Grand Sport, Raleigh Grand Sports owners
Attachment 430380Attachment 430381
Last edited by backmd; 05-23-20 at 08:12 PM. Reason: left out a word