Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Geoff's Raleigh International Restoration - My Holy Grail

 My holy grail bike has always been the Raleigh International in burnt orange and white accents.  I have still been looking for one in my large size at a price that doesn't break the bank.  Geoff found his.  This is Geoffs 1973 Raleigh International in champagne color.  Since the first time I saw a Raleigh International with its carved chrome lugs, chrome stays and Campagnolo Record components that went right to the top of my list.

Geoff's International is in very good starting shape.  It will get a restoration or maybe more of an overhaul with new bearings, cables and cable housings.  The hard thing I always have with very nice vintage bicycles is how to handle the restoration.  I could easily take all the components apart and polish everything to a high mirror finish but that would loose the originality and character of a bike that is more valuable with out going crazy with the polisher.  It takes a lot more time and energy but I do a lot of hand polishing to try to keep as much of the original factory finish or at least the character as I can keeping more value in the bike.  I am also going to work by hand on the stem, brake levers and handlebars because of the beautiful Brooks honey handlebar tape already in place.

I meant to mention the International will be receiving new decals also.

I can't wait to rid the international, it is my favorite riding bike also!

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Stem

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Brake

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Fork Corwn

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Hub

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Wheel Rim

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Top Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Shift Levers

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Seat Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Crank

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Front Derailleur

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Pedal

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Brooks Saddle

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Brake Caliper

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Chain Stay

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Derailleur

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bicycle Before
Rear Wheel Hub

I broke the International down and during the disassembly process I realized that the International has Campy side pull brakes.  Originally it had Wheinman center pull brakes.  Its a very nice upgrade with the Campy side pull brake.  The rear brake cable brackets on the top tube are also not original as the center pull brakes had the cable stops on the side of the frame that are still there.  The cable brackets are there for the side pull brakes.  I think a very cool upgrade.

The frame with the components stripped the frame is in descent starting shape, looks a little rougher once you take everything off but over all not to bad.  I think it will polish very nicely.

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Top Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Seat Stays & Cable Hanger

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Chain Stays

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Drop Outs

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Fork

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Crown

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blade

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Before
Fork Blades

I cleaned and polished the frame.  I have not removed the old decals yet since it always takes a while for the decal people to get me the decals so I didn't want to strip all the decals and then have problems with the decal people.  Cleaned and polished the frame really looks good!  The color doesn't photograph how it looks in person.  The champagne color has a deep luster I was not expecting.  A lot of the blemishes polished away, a very spots here and there are not perfect but that expected in a 40+ year old paint.  Overall I am thrilled with the results of the polishing of the frame!  I love the chrome lugs and stays!!  The photos below still have the original decals minus the old faded bicycle shop decals on the down tube.  It will look even better with the new decals!!
    
Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Top Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Head Tube Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Down Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Tube

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Bottom Bracket

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Lug

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Seat Stays

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Chain Stays

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Drop Outs

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Crown

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Corwn

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blade

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork Blades

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Frame Polished
Fork
The headset greasy is so very sticky but once I cleaned it all out in the crock pot I got to working with the polishing wheels.  The headset polished beautifully and looks just fantastic with the chrome lugs.  With new grease and bearings it spins perfect!!

The bottom bracket was replaced with a modern cartridge bottom bracket.  The bracket still felt smooth so a little cleaning and in it goes.  Modern cartridge bottom brackets can not be serviced, you just ride them until there is a problem and replace them.  I kind of like the old way where you can rebuild the old bottom brackets.  
  
Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Headset & Bottom Bracket
Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Headset
Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Pressing Headset Cups

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Headset Cups Pressed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Headset Bearings
Packed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Headset Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Headset Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Headset Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Bottom Bracket Cleaned

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Bottom Bracket Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Installed
Campagnola cranks are my favorite cranks in this world style wise.  They are so refined and classic looking and that is coming from a Dura Ace guy!.  I love this stuff!  This is where all the time hand polishing is invested.  The crank still has some of the factory finish so it is so worth hand polishing.  I broke the crank down and cleaned everything in the crock pot and sonic cleaners.  With the pieces cleaned I did a good deal of hand polishing.  I think the crank turned out spectacular and installed looks even better!!  The only pieces polished on the power wheels where the crank bolt dust caps, I just had to to get them looking right.
  
Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Crank Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Crank Exploded View

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Crank Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Crank Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Crank Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Crank Complete

Some more photos as things progress.  The brake calipers where next.  I hand polished the caliper arms and polished everything else on the polishing wheels.  The droopy Campy calipers are one of the most beautiful calipers and they work well too.  I am very pleased with how the calipers turned out.

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Brake Calipers
Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Brake Calipers
Exploded View

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Brake Calipers Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Brake Calipers
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Front Caliper Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Rear Brake Caliper Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Brake Calipers
Complete
I worked on the shift levers and cable guide next.  The shift lever levers I polished by hand to keep the original look, all the other pieces where polished on the polishing wheels.  Everything polished beautifully!  Can't beat how the levers look installed!  I love this stuff!!

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Shift Levers
Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Shift Levers
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Shift Levers
Installed
The derailleurs are next.  It is really hard to beat the styling and function of Campagnolo Record and that is coming from a Dura Ace guy. The rear derailleur was mostly polished by hand.  It took a ton of hand polishing but was worth every second.  The chrome and other pieces where polished on the polishing wheels.

The front derailleur was polished by hand except for the small hardware and chrome cage.  The front derailleur also turned out very nice!

I am stunned how nice the rear derailleur turned out.  It looks like brand new, like right from the factory.

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Derailleurs Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Exploded View

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Rear Derailleur Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration
Rear Derailleur Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Rear Derailleur
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Front Derailleur
Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Front Derailleur
Polished

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Front Derailleur
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Front Derailleur
Installed

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Derailleurs
Complete
 I ran out of time for editing and uploading photos right now, last few are of the top tube cable guides.  They where polished on the polishing wheels and turned out very nice.

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Brackets Before

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Top Tube Bracket
Complete

Geoff's 1973 Raleigh International Restoration - Bottom Bracket
Cable Guide Complete