Bianchi Project

[Richardnew]

It's done. I've ridden it for about 50 miles. It's very very different from my Bianchi. This is the Dutch made Raleigh Grand Prix. The best I can do with the serial number is that it's a 1974 to 1976 version. The Bianchi is a 1998 model.

The Raleigh feels huge. Ok - it is. It feels like you're driving an old Bentley or something similar. I need to weigh it soon. It's a lot heavier than my Bianchi. At least it feels that way.

Richard Newton
Bike Restoration Blog

I weighed the two bikes. The Raleigh is heavy.

Bianchi - 24.2 lbs.
Raleigh - 31.0 lbs.

 

[Richardnew]

A few more pictures.

Richard Newton
Bike Restoration Blog

 

[cyclonecoaster.com]

Continental tires ...

We ended up using WD-40 on the tire and rim. I never like doing that but I've done it on hundreds of car tires. Sometimes you just do what you have to do. Actually there is a special tire lube you can use when mounting car tires. I didn't have any so I used my ever handy can of WD-40.

Richard Newton
Bianchi Restoration

Continental makes a great tire - but they always seem to run tight on rims - back when I was riding road & mountain bikes more I would use all brands of tires - I noticed that only the Continental tires were a bear to put on - but the look better than most & performance is second to none - Specialized tires on the other hand could be hand mounted & would almost fall off the rim as you added air & had to be centered as you were adding air to them so they wouldn't have a hop or pop a bead - Just don't get a flat with the Continentals - or if you do make sure you have some top quality tire levers to pull the tires off & fix or replace the tubes .. ride vintage - Frank

 

[Richardnew]

The Raleigh has Michelins. I don't like them as much as the Continentals. They just don't have the ride quality. They do look good though.

Richard Newton

 

[Richardnew]

Here's a detailed list of what my Raleigh cost.

Richard Newton

 

[Richardnew]

It's time for a new build here. I'm finally getting around to my Vitus. My wheels arrived today.

I've added a detailed list to my blog. I'm really open to suggestions here. My next step will be the brakes.

Richard Newton

 

[Richardnew]

I just violated my All-Camp rule. Ok I also did it on the wheels.

The Vitus I'm building originally used friction shifters. I'm doing a conversion.

These are $11.09 on Amazon.com

The Campy version is $60.00

The Campy version has the neat little springs but come on.

Richard Newton

 

[Duchess]

They both have springs, it's just that they're not visible with the other set. I have them on my USAAF bike and they work great.

 

[Richardnew]

Thanks - Here they are installed.