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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle After Restoration |
This week this 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport came in for restoration. I did not know Raleigh made a Gran Sport model in the 1980's, the Gran Sport I am familiar with is from the early 1970's with the chrome chain and seat stays and Reynolds 531 tubing.
I love the blue color of the Gran Sport, it is by far my favorite Raleigh color! The Gran Sport is in rough starting shape but I love the challenge! The Gran Sport will receive a complete restoration along with new cables, cable housings, tires, tire tubes, brake pads, handlebar tape, saddle and the brake levers will be modified for brake lever hoods. I can't wait to see new gum wall tires against the polished blue paint! I actually can't wait to see the Gran Sport complete, I think its going to be amazing in the blue and a classic look!
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Handlebars |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Stem |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Front Brake |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Front Wheel Hub |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Schwinn Generator |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brake Levers |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem & Shift Levers |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Top Tube |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Post |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Tube |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Front Derailleur |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before - Rear Brake |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Rim |
I am very mad at myself, I guess I was so excited to polish the frame that I forgot to take before photos of the frame. The frame was very dirty and rough before polishing. I am thrilled with the polishing results. It took a great deal of work and working through a course grit for quit a while but that blue is amazing and worth every second. There are a few chips and scraps but over all the paint has a deep shine and looks like its wet. I am extremely happy with the frame polishing results especially considering where the frame started!
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Brake Bridge |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Brake Bridge |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade - I love this one with gold lines & decal! |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Drop Outs |
The headset & Bottom Bracket are in the crock pot soaking. The headset & bottom bracket cleaned and polished beautifully and both spin wonderfully. The polished chrome really complements the blue paint very nicely I am very happy with the results.
The bottom bracket has a nice shaped lock side bearing cup, I like the that it has a nice place for a bottom bracket wrench and makes the drive side cup very easy to remove.
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Polished |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset Cups
Pressed |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset Bearings - Packed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset
Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bottom Bracket Bearings
Packed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Complete |
I like the stem and handlebars a lot, the stem has Raleigh stamped on the front and the handlebars have a nice Raleigh stamp on them also. The stem polished very nice, I wish the forging or casting of the stem was a little smother but the stem still polished nice. The handlebars polished very nice also and both the stem and handlebars look great installed!
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebars - Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem - Exploded |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem - Polished |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebars & Stem
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Stem & Handlebars
Installed |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebars & Stem - Complete |
The brake levers have missing suicide levers and the stubs are still in place. I cut those stubs off and then installed new brake lever hoods. The levers polished nice and look great with the new hoods, I am very happy with the results.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Levers - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Levers - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Levers - Cut |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - New Brake Lever
Hoods |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Lever Hoods
Installed |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Levers - Installed |
I like the shift levers a lot, they are Sun Tour Power Shift Levers and are some of the best functioning friction shift levers. However they are not the best looking shift levers and these are a little rough. I did a lot of cleaning and polishing, most of the pieces polished very nice, the lever handles are a textured finish and polished just okay. The levers work great though and are a lot better then when starting.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers - Exploded |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers - Polished |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Shift Levers
Installed |
The crank is nice, I believe Raleigh started using these cranks on the Grand Prix and the like in 1974 but I might be wrong on that. The Raleigh decal was missing from one crank arm and very faded on the chain ring side arm. I decided it was best to just remove the faded decal and polish behind the decal. The crank polished very nice and installed looks great against the blue paint.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Crank - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Crank - Exploded |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Crank - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Crank - Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Crank
Installed |
The front derailleur is a Sun Tour derailleur. Raleigh liked this derailleur, it actually works in reverse of most derailleurs as it moves the chain to the smaller chain ring under tension. The derailleur polished very nice and looks fantastic next to the crank and blue paint.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Derailleur - Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Derailleur
Exploded |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Derailleur - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Derailleur - Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed |
The rear derailleur is a Sun Tour derailleur, these derailleurs are pretty much bullet proof. The derailleur cleaned nice, polished great and after a rebuild functions smooth. I have not installed the rear derailleur yet as its missing the little piece that fits into the drop out and holds the derailleur in place. I will have to go into the parts collection and hope to find one that will fit.
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Derailleur - Complete |
I like the brake calipers a lot! They are center pull brakes that work a lot better then side pull brakes from the era and center pull brakes always look great polished. I really like the black Raleigh decal on the front of the calipers. After restoring and new brake pads the calipers look fantastic installed and function great! I really like the photos of the restored calipers installed.
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Calipers - Exploded |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Calipers
Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Brake Calipers - Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Brake Caliper
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Brake Caliper
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Brake Caliper
Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Brake Caliper
Installed |
The seat post is very rough, the adjustment collar pieces are very rusty, unfortunately they are specific to this seat post so I can't replace them. The pieces cleaned and polished okay, the seat polished polished nicely, with the new saddle the installed the seat post looks better yet.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Seat Post - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Seat Post - Exploded |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Seat Post - Polished |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - New Saddle |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - New Saddle
& Seat Post - Installed |
That completes the main body components.
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Main Body Components
Complete |
The wheels turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. At some point the wheels where changed around and installed with missing spacers and lock nuts. In place of those spacers was a about 8 washers and the freewheel had about 1/32" space between it and the frame.
The wheel hubs and rims polished beautifully, very very nice for the Raleigh. The spacers where a hard thing to come by as I have a lot of spacers for quick release axles but not much for bolt on axles. Also the rear axle did not have a slot where spacer washers slide into. I found a few spacer that would fit the where axle and still had to use 2 washers but at least now the spacing is correct.
Over all I am very happy how the wheels turned out. The rear wheel is missing a spoke and so far I have not found one that will fit out of the what seems like hundreds of sizes I have. I will have to keep looking then I can install the new tires.
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel
Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub - Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel Rim
Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel Hub
Old Grease |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel Bearings
Packed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Wheel Axle Components
Ready |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Rear Wheel - Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration
Front Wheel - Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Wheel Rim
Before |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Wheel Hub
Old Grease |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Wheel Bearings
Packed |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Front Wheel - Complete |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Wheels - Complete |
I found a spoke in the correct length and a new spoke nipple that is similar and installed the new spoke. With the spoke installed I installed the new Kenda tires and new tire tubes. The gum wall tires look great installed on the Raleigh Gran Sport, they are perfect look for the Raleigh.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - New Kenda Tires |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Kenda Tires - Installed |
With the tires installed its time to wire the bike and install the new handlebar tape. The Gran Sport has a folded over piece of sheet metal for a down tube cable stop, just a ridiculously cheap and stupid way to go for a cable stop. I thought for a bit that someone in a long ago past may have rigged this in place as a repair but after a little research I found that it is original.
I searched through the parts collection for an appropriate cable stop and then cleaned and polished it, this cable stop is so much better then the old one and looks great on the Raleigh and the blue paint. I also found a replacement piece to the missing part of the rear derailleur and installed the rear derailleur. The cable stop and derailleur part are photoed below.
I chose the gray cable housing again and it looks great against the blue paint. The black handlebar tape also looks great installed, I like the contrast of the black tape against the tan brake lever hoods, saddle and gum wall tires.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - New Bits & Pieces |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Replacement Cable Stop
and Derailleur Piece |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Cable Stop - Installed |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Chain & Freewheel
Installled |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Wired |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Handlebar Tape - Installed |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Almost Complete |
This almost completes the Raleigh Except for the pedals. I cleaned, polished and flushed and lubricated the pedals. The pedals turned out pretty good and spin good.
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Pedals - Complete |
That completes the 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport. The Raleigh Gran Sport was very challenging but in the end I am very proud of the Raleigh Gran Sport. I wish the paint was in better shape but its not bad enough to repaint and that would loose my favorite blue colored paint ever and the paint scheme.
The Raleigh Gran Sport I believe really turned out nice considering everything. The alloy polished beautifully, the chrome came back nicely, the new brake lever hoods make a huge difference, the new cables, cable housings and tires really make the blue paint pop. I am super happy the Raleigh is back and ready for the road!
The final photos are not in the best light, I finished the Raleigh a little late in the day for the best light, I just wish the snow would melt and I could get outdoor photos again!
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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| 1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Handlebars |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Stem & Handlebars |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Head Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake Caliper |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Hub |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Wheel Rim |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Headset |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Brake Caliper |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Half |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Down Tube |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Saddle |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Bottom Bracket |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Drive Train |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Crank |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Front Derailleur |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Derailleur |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Seat Post |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Brake Caliper |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear Wheel Hub |
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1984 Raleigh Gran Sport Restoration - Bicycle Complete
Rear |
Thank you for all the interest and work!
John Z.
The paint on the frame looks awesome after all your work, I found a Gran Prix in this color scheme once- curbside waiting for the garbage truck- but its paint was beyond rough. There was hardly a square inch without a gouge, scrape, ding or rust spot, it looked like the frame had been put in a cement mixer full of gravel and rotated for 10 minutes. Its nice to see what that gorgeous blue looks like in new condition. I am sure those Raleigh branded parts will clean up wonderfully in your care. Look forward to the finished product.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. I'm trying to ID my bike and based on your pictures I think I have the same 1984 Gran Sport, only in red. I got mine 10 years ago at a police auction for $50. I'm just now learning how to overhaul components, and your project is way inspiring. Now to build myself a shop...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI just bought this exact bike today from some guy in my area, I am restoring it myself too! I have been trying to identify it all afternoon! Very awesome!
ReplyDeleteHi, stunning paint work and polishing on the frame. Can I ask what you used please?
ReplyDeleteDo you happen to know the seatpost diameter? Recent find is missing the seat. Same components but side-pull Dia-Compes and white paint with yellow on the head tube and seat tube stripes. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe tutorial is very helpful for a first timer like me, by the way if you could have given a tutorial on creating a free website, it would have been very helpful for newbies like me.
ReplyDeleteThank you
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ReplyDeleteYour post is a terrific resource, John! I just picked up an '84 Raleigh Gran Sport in this blue, and look forward to restoring it. I hope I can get mine to look half as good as yours!
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