[Other Sport] Cycling geeks

[Stat Brother]

Got to be worth a go, surely.

EDIT: And no celeste bar tape this time.

My problem is, 'is it worth a go'? As I won't be looking to keeping the end result.

If I set my sights on a 'lesser' bike does the Raleigh Falcon have a value, or was it the equivalent of a Viking whatever, today.
I should have spent the evening checking through some retro sites, instead of fast asleep on the sofa, 'watching' QI.



Here's the most recent one I've been tracking, which has now gone to 3 figures, and will probably end up nearer £200 than £100.
bianchi vintage steel frame racing bike with vintage campagnolo components | eBay

 

[Sussax]

My problem is, 'is it worth a go'? As I won't be looking to keeping the end result.

If I set my sights on a 'lesser' bike does the Raleigh Falcon have a value, or was it the equivalent of a Viking whatever, today.
I should have spent the evening checking through some retro sites, instead of fast asleep on the sofa, 'watching' QI.



Here's the most recent one I've been tracking, which has now gone to 3 figures, and will probably end up nearer £200 than £100.
bianchi vintage steel frame racing bike with vintage campagnolo components | eBay

Are you looking for a profit? Or the 'Joy' of bringing a bike back to life, either way if you can get the bike for free out of a skip, it's a win win surely?

 

[Woodchip]

Couldn't you get an old small frame and build it up for SB JR to ride when he grows into it?

 

[Woodchip]

My problem is, 'is it worth a go'? As I won't be looking to keeping the end result.

If I set my sights on a 'lesser' bike does the Raleigh Falcon have a value, or was it the equivalent of a Viking whatever, today.
I should have spent the evening checking through some retro sites, instead of fast asleep on the sofa, 'watching' QI.



Here's the most recent one I've been tracking, which has now gone to 3 figures, and will probably end up nearer £200 than £100.
bianchi vintage steel frame racing bike with vintage campagnolo components | eBay

Oi, SB, Check this one out. It's a Raleigh disguised as Bianchi though.

FORK + Stem Road Race Set for 700 series Wheels | eBay

Or this which is a true classic from the 50s
vintage carlton corinthian frame | eBay

 

[Stat Brother]

Are you looking for a profit? Or the 'Joy' of bringing a bike back to life, either way if you can get the bike for free out of a skip, it's a win win surely?

The theory is it would be a hobby, that uses a rare skill of mine, and one that in time I could turn into profit.

Bizarrely enough Italian bikes Campag components is my comfort zone, whereas I'm still a complete novice when it comes to what's what from British manufacturers from the 60's onwards.
Like I said I really need to get some homework done.

Oi, SB, Check this one out. It's a Raleigh disguised as Bianchi though.

FORK + Stem Road Race Set for 700 series Wheels | eBay

Or this which is a true classic from the 50s
vintage carlton corinthian frame | eBay

That Raleigh/Bianchi is so obscenely wrong, there should be a law against doing things like that.

 

[Stat Brother]

Are you looking for a profit? Or the 'Joy' of bringing a bike back to life, either way if you can get the bike for free out of a skip, it's a win win surely?

Of course you are very right.
I think my head stone will read:-

Here Lies Stat Brother, He Died Form Acute Procrastination.

So with that in mind, I popped round, had an odd conversation with the owner.
I don't think he wanted to give it up, he went straight down memory lane, the moment I asked for it.
But I eventually came away with this, pink and yellow Raleigh Flyer:-

 

[Stat Brother]

1973 - It's approaching it's 40th birthday.

 

[Motogull]

Skipping that is needless.

SB, clean it up a treat, and then pop some pics through his front door.

I have a 15 year old Radford Exon Alu which does what I need it to. I could contemplate trading it in, but skipping it ain't right. I'll do some maintenance when its too cold/wet to go out. It'll never be pretty but I don't care.

 

[Stat Brother]

Skipping that is needless.

SB, clean it up a treat, and then pop some pics through his front door.

I have a 15 year old Radford Exon Alu which does what I need it to. I could contemplate trading it in, but skipping it ain't right. I'll do some maintenance when its too cold/wet to go out. It'll never be pretty but I don't care.

Judging by the conversation we had when I asked for it, I could sell it back to him for a small fortune.

He told me the history, his big brother had it before him.
'I changed the wheels, and the pedals, I kept it because I always wanted to do it up but the wife has said time to go'.

He really laid it on thick, as he was pulling it out of the skip.
He might even have wanted money for it.

Not a chance.

 

[Woodchip]

The most important question... What does it ride like?

Apart from the puncture and chain being off, and wonky handlebars of course.

 

[Stat Brother]

It's not ridable at the moment.
The chain is shot, I've put some air in the tyres so I could turn the wheels and they are pretty much true, and the frame is sound.
RESULT.

I've already half moved back to Retrobike | If its in.
First off, bugging them about how best to bring a Brooks saddle back to life.

 

[1066familyman]

Of course you are very right.
I think my head stone will read:-

Here Lies Stat Brother, He Died Form Acute Procrastination.

So with that in mind, I popped round, had an odd conversation with the owner.
I don't think he wanted to give it up, he went straight down memory lane, the moment I asked for it.
But I eventually came away with this, pink and yellow Raleigh Flyer:-

Old habits die hard eh?...still photographed in front of a white sheet for best effect

Good luck with the project. Shame it doesn't have top pull brakes as well.

 

[Woodchip]

How bad is the saddle? Doesn't look to ropey in the photos. Could you not just buff it up with some dubbing?

 

[Stat Brother]

How bad is the saddle? Doesn't look to ropey in the photos. Could you not just buff it up with some dubbing?

It's certainly not ropey but pretty rough and ready and rock solid, as you would expect.
But I don't want to ingrain the grim while trying to buff it up.

Oh btw, never having been near a Brooks before I don't know if the above is horse plops or not.

 

[Stat Brother]

Old habits die hard eh?...still photographed in front of a white sheet for best effect

Good luck with the project. Shame it doesn't have top pull brakes as well.

I think I'm most excited about the prospect of attaching a long pump underneath the top tube.

 

[1066familyman]

I think I'm most excited about the prospect of attaching a long pump underneath the top tube.

Good point. One of these I hope.

 

[Stat Brother]

Good point. View attachment 37450One of these I hope.

Oh she's a beauty

 

[1066familyman]

Oh she's a beauty

Now this is a beauty! FIXIE OR ROAD/RACING BIKE DROP HANDLEBARS COMPLETE SET WITH DUAL ACTION BRAKES | eBay

Blimey I miss top pull brakes! Nothing like sitting up in traffic and having a set nestling nicely under your fingers.

 

[Stat Brother]

Nope.
I'm still reeling from the monstrosity Woodchip put up last night.

It'll be a faithful restoration.

 

[Woodchip]

Nope.
I'm still reeling from the monstrosity Woodchip put up last night.

It'll be a faithful restoration.

You not tempted with a fake Bianchi then? Can't say I blame you. It's like putting a fibreglass Porsche body on a Austin Metro.


EDIT: And may be useful for restoring that saddle... Fastest way to remove thick dirt/grime of leather? - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum