My Neighbor's Raleigh Sports...

[HARPO]

I just bought this today from my next door neighbor's wife who was selling it for her husband. He came down with Parkinson's quite a few years ago and the bike has been collecting dust in their shed ever since.

He had purchased it new in 1970, took the fenders off after a while he had told me years ago, and rode the crap out of it. Sadly, he told his wife maybe he could still ride it, but that's never going to happen. I couldn't see the bike going to anyone else when I found out she was selling it, and I'll do my best to get it looking nice again. I'm sure he'd like to see it looking good again, and knowing it didn't go far.

Lots to do, but I'm up for the challenge!

 

[JoNy]

In great shape!

 

[Pedaltherapy]

The previous owner removing the fenders did you a favor in preserving them. Sad to see his riding waylaid by such a diagnosis. Glad you will be resurrecting his bike.

 

[juvela]

-----

the B72 gives an indication of how much usage the mount hath received...

have not previously seen the Gripfast track nuts with a star pattern on the disc, all others can recall showed a letter to indicate the marque of the cycle

HARPO will have this piece looking concours ready in no time at all! such be his magic


-----

 

[HARPO]

@juvela Yes, the B72 has seen its share of miles...and more miles. First time I've seen one worn away to this extent, but I know for a fact he never did anything to it since 1970.

I'm really excited to get this bike back on the road again, and I'm sure I can get the paint on the frame and fork to shine again. @Pedaltherapy And yes, I was lucky that the fenders were removed early on to at least keep them in a nice condition. Love the gold pin striping against the black.

 

[juvela]

-----

BTW -

in the course of this day's web wander chanced to learn that someone is offering repops of the Gripfast/Raleigh wedgebolts

unfortunately the selfwasher in the design is a glaring error

for meself, would employ a good quality generic before that ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/402991215767?campid=5335809022

-----

 

[HARPO]

The amount of grease on the bike is unreal. I don't think it's been touched since the bike was new in 1970. Layer after layer, its taking quite a while to get it off. But on a positive note, its kept things preserved over the years, especially the chrome. LOTS more work than planned, but still OK. It will look like a different bike when I get it done!

 

[juvela]

-----

cosmelene


-----

 

[HARPO]

@juvela It's coming off, using WD-40, it's just the amount that I'm quite shocked at. Had the bike been a color other than black, I would have noticed it right away.

 

[FICHT 150]

They should just sell the red Raleigh appliqué that they are putting on those junk cotters, and call that good.

Those pedals are a bonus, rebuildable Raleigh reflector version. Hard to find. A guy from the Far East sells a repop version of the blocks, no reflectors, but, you will have a lifetime set of pedals if the shafts are straight, and you add those blocks and new bearings.

That bike should clean up well. I don’t know who the previous owners of my bikes were, for the very most part.

Ted