rjhammett

I picked this up a few weeks ago and finished it up today. It is an '83 Raleigh Competition with Suntour Cyclone derailleurs. I have $35 into it.

Murray Missile 

and bagged this:

'84 or '85 Raleigh Prestige, haven't checked the SN yet.





Has some cosmetic issues, worst being the chrome on the chain stays:



The paint issues I can clean up, this I'll just have to live with. Wheels are in really good shape though and tires are newer and still have the mold flash. Has all it's original components except the Quickstand and saddle and I probably would have dumped the stock saddle anyway. Even as neglected as it looks it still rides really sweet.

3speedslow

Thought it was the 85 year that had the chrome stays. Regardless, nice catch ! Raleigh USA, baby !

Murray Missile 

Thanks, I've seen the chrome stays listed as both years so I'm not sure, no matter, I LIKE it! Getting hooked up so I could look at it was like pulling teeth though, I damn near gave up and was going to tell the guy to just forget it at one point. Glad I stuck it out. Wish it had been as "near mint" as he thought it was but I showed him why it wasn't and made an offer accordingly. He countered but I stuck to my offer and he eventually accepted. He still made out like a fat rat, his former employer gave him the bike when he moved a couple years ago, he had nothing in it and it had just been taking up space in his garage.

3speedslow

totally escaped my attention, another killer Raleigh USA ! Looks nice and the price...

Still on the buildup of my 86 Gran Prix. Not much to do but more projects ahead of it.

rustystrings61 

1974 Tour de l'Europe - the next year they were a darker brown with a Sugino Maxy 3-pin crankset and a plastic saddle. Batavus claimed their paint was the best in the business, but apart from that they're pretty much like a Peugeot UO-8 or a Raleigh Gran Prix - throw on a set of alloy-rimmed wheels and they can be a lot of fun.

I rode mine all over southwestern Virginia in the mid-70s, including a 3-day camping tour with stuff crammed into Eclipse panniers or strapped on top of a rickety Pletscher rack - and if memory serves, the brake bridge is designed for same ...

sloar 

I have to admit, the paint is pretty nice. The frame paint and even the chrome on the forks are cleaning up really nice. I'm leaving everything as is, new tires, cables, saddle and cables and just use it as a beater bike. Something to ride to work when the weathers bad.

IcySmooth52

That told me a lot about the bike's history. Poor thing , probably got rarely ridden after the owner found a performance bike doesn't make a performance engine. I've seen this concept many times in bike-shops.

jmeb

Quick photo before it got loaded up in the van -- an all original Trek 420 in my size for $75: . Bonus points for the pump and tire-wipers.

Murray Missile 

You done GOOD! One small correction though....... it is in MY size.

GordoTrek

nice score!! what is that doodily bob on the end of the bar there?

oh nevermind, its the headlight, a quick look made it look like it was attached to the bar end..

jmeb

Yep. Its actually kinda a cool CatEye lamp that runs off of 2 C batteries.

I think this 420 will be converted to my townie frame (32C tires, fenders, upright bars, single speed, basket + rack), and the 620 currently doing that job will become my road bike (still big tires, no fenders, lots of gears for CO hills.) The frame I had hoped to use as a road frame has a pretty messed up bottom bracket that will probably require going the VO threadless route in the future.

rekmeyata

Fantastic deal for a great bike and accessories that came with it. Great find.

One problem though, don't butcher it to make it a single speed, that is a vintage bike that if it's all original is worth quite a bit more than you paid for it, but will be worth quite a bit less if you turn it into a single speed. Find yourself a less valued and vintage type of bike and turn it into a single speed.

jmeb

Thank you for your concern. I'm quite aware of its value and worth. I won't be hacking off the derailleur hanger or any nonsense things like that. If I ever want to resell it I'd build it back as original with fresh consumables for its sale. But as something I commute on every day a single speed is all I need. If this was some grail bike (a 720 etc) I wouldn't be considering commuting on it. But this is just a 420. So I'll be transferring my parts off the current 620 commuter pictured below and putting that nicer 531 frame back to work as a long-distance road bike.



EDIT: But if there is someone in the Denver area that wants to trade the 420 for a nice vintage road frame in a similar size, do let me know.

vqstaphbeard

Love your 620; that's my kind of commuter.

sloar 

First time I've ever upgraded a bike using Falcon derailleurs, hopefully it's the last time.

dweenk

It did clean up well. You could probably use those rear brake pads as mini-cobblestones though. Batavus paint looks as good as advertised.

Murray Missile 

S/N says it's an '84, BUT the site also said sometimes they were backdated to the previous model year. Then I found a picture of another '85 Prestige that was red with black stays.
Best guess is that it's an "84-ish".

3speedslow

Best guess is that it's an "84-ish".[/QUOTE]

I remember that year ! Good times !

HIGGINS!? 

50cm Columbus Tubing. Hand built by a local builder back in the 80's. Had an interesting mix of components when i picked it up. Campy BB and DT shifters, Deore RD, Superbe FD and Cranks. Cinelli Stem with scott mtb handlebars and deore brake levers, random lbs special saddle, Gpm CronoSpecial Pedals. Ill post updated pics when i get it properly outfitted. (CL pic)

jmeb

Rainy saturday here in Denver gave me time to rebuild the Trek 420 I picked up. The photo from when I picked it up, in full original kit as near I could tell:



Stripped it to the frame, overhauled bearings, took off a layer of grime and rebuilt it for my commuter.

Here it is now (yes I need to work on my rear fender line):


Build specs:
Frame: '84 Trek 420
Wheels: Superbe Pro to Mavic MA-20? Panaracer Paselas 32mm.
Drivetrain: Reused SR Custom triple from original build. Left on the 50t chainring, moved it inboard for better chainline. 18t freewheel in back. KMC something chain. MKS Lambda pedals.
Seat: Post is a "Strong"?? Very nicely finished, made in Japan. Need to lower the seat a hair. B72 Saddle from my raleigh sports that is currently out of commission.
Brakes: Original Dia-Compe 500s with new Grey Matter pads.
Cockpit: Kalloy dirt-drop like stem, VO Porteur bars, VO metallic housing, Dia-Compe inverse levers. Brass bell.
Fenders: Longboards, 45mms. Trimmed to fit chainstays.
Racks: Jim Blackburn (rear) off the Trek 620 which is now to be built into a road bike. Soma-mini front with a big Wald basket.

More photos:

sloar 

Picked up this poor unloved 1960 Schwinn Jaguar yesterday. Its in the process of being cleaned and preserved. I love the old tank bikes.

curbtender

Nice...I have a set of patina/white grips if you need them.

wrk101

If the paint is original, I'd rate this one an 8 out of 10. You know the rust treatment drill. Looks very complete, boy's men's style which are harder to find and usually slap wore out, etc.

sloar 

It's original paint and everything is cleaning up nice. Horn even works.