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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle After Restoration |
This is Joel's Raleigh Mixtie Grand Prix Restoration. The build has evolved over time to become a Christmas gift for Jennifer. The Grand Prix started as kind of a mess, junk Simplex plastic components, an 80's chunk of iron stem used to convert the mixtie to upright handlebars, drop bar brake levers still used in the conversion and rusty rims. In the end the frame, headset, bottom bracket bearing cups and wheel hubs will be saved and the rest built up from there.
I have been having trouble with Google Photos in the creation of the post, it will not allow me to post every photo even though it shows the photo uploaded, I will do my best to to the story while I figure out the photo issue.
The Grand Prix will receive a restored GB stem, new Velo Orange handlebars, new Die-Comp brake levers, Brooks handlebar grips, a total rebuild of the wheels with new spokes and NOS rims, Shimano 600 derailleurs, Shimano shift levers, a restored seat post, a Brooks saddle, Panaracer tires, Schwalbe tubes, all new bearings, cables, housings and pads and a crank from an early Raleigh Super Course.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Christmas Morning |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Christmas Morning |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Stem |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Brake Lever |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Brake Caliper |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Wheel Hub |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Front Rim |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - 80's Replacement Stem |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Simplex Plastic |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Down Tube Banner |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Post |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Crank |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Simplex Garbage |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Simplex Garbage |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Brake Caliper |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Wheel Hub |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Rear Rim |
The frame started pretty rough, a good amount of work and I am very pleased with the results. The photos of the frame polished are some of the photos that won't post. Decals on the fork, tubing decal and decal bands are going to be replaced. The main issue is the black painted Raleigh panel on the down tube was rusting pretty bad. I sanded down that panel to bare metal and then sealed just that section with primer and paint. The new vinyl Raleigh Panel decal was placed over top, I am thrilled with the results! The photo won't post so please notice the Raleigh Panel in other photos along the way.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Head Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Head Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Down Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Bottom Bracket |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Chain Stays |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Seat Stays |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Before - Drop Out |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Fork Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Fork Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Fork Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Fork Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Fork Before |
The headset and bottom bracket is standard Raleigh. The bottom bracket axle was replaced with a more modern axle to replace the cotter pin crank. Everything cleaned and polished nicely, new grease and bearings have them spinning very smooth.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset & Bottom Bracket - Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset & Bottom Bracket Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Pressing Headset Cups |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset Cups Pressed |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset Bearings Packed |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Headset Complete |
The stem was probably replaced in the 1980's when the Grand prix was converted from drop handlebars. the stem was basically a big chunk of steal with some bolts drilled through. The only choice was to replace the stem with a GB. The GB stem polished beautifully and is one of my favorites.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement GB Stem - Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement GB Stem Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement GB Stem Complete |
New Velo Orange handlebars replaced the 80's steal bars and new Die-Comp brake levers replaced the drop bar brake levers. Brooks handlebar grips tops it all of. Now the Grand Prix has been properly converted to upright handlebars.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Velo Orange Handlebars Replacement Die-Comp Brake Levers |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Die-Comp Brake Levers |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Brooks Handlebar Grips |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Handlebars Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Brake Levers & Grips Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration GB Stem Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Handlebars Complete |
Now comes some fun. The Grand Prix's original rims where just to rusty to bring back. New old stock Rigida 27 inch rims with brake surface knurling where found. The original wheels where disassembled and the hubs restored. I am pretty good at polishing wheel hubs with the spokes in place but having hubs with out the spokes is just a joy to polish, my favorite polishing process. Being able to get all the polishing belts and wheels into the hubs makes an amazing difference. Even though the Rigida rims where NOS they still required a good deal of polishing. With the hubs rebuilt and the rims polished I laced the wheels with new spokes and installed the Panaracer tires. I am thrilled with the results of the wheels, the process was a joy.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Before - Hub |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Before - Rim |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Before - Freewheel |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Before - Hub |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Before - Rim |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Rims Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Rim Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Axels Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Axels Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheel Hubs Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Hubs & Rims Complete & Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheels Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
The photo below shows the wheels completed and installed but I am also going to try to point out a few other things. First is the crank from the Raleigh Super Course, I took it of a damaged Super Course frame maybe 10 years ago and was glad I got to polish it up and use it. This is why I save everything and spend way to much time organizing parts.
Next is the Shimano 600 derailleurs and Shimano shift levers. Now that I look the rear derailleur is not installed in this photo so please notice it down the line.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Wheels Laced & Complete |
The original seat post was a steal cheap post, we replaced it with a Campagnola 25.0 mm seat post. The replacement seat post had a few gouges near the top, I carefully filed the gouges out and polished the seat post. Very happy with the results and it will be nice to have the micro adjust in the seat post.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Seat Post - Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Seat Post - Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Seat Post - Polished |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle to This Point |
New Soma pedals where installed, beautiful pedals!
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Replacement Soma Pedals |
The "R" decal on the fork was replaced along with the banding decal at the chrome transition. The tubing decal was replaced at the base of the head tube lug. The banding decals on the seat post where replaced and of course the big Raleigh panel decal on the down tube. Replacing a select few of the decals makes a massive difference that probably isn't notice until you see how the old decals looked.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Decal Before |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration New Fork Decal |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration New Fork Tube Decal |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration New Tube Decal |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration New Decals Top - Old Decals Bottom |
A good view of the Raleigh panel decal. Super proud of the work that went into it. Again, the paint n that section was brought down to bare metal and then built back up with the decal over the top. Also the new tubing decal can be seen at the top right of the photo.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration New Panel Decal |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Decals Complete |
That completes the Raleigh Mixtie Grand Prix restoration. The Grand Prix is amazing to ride, it is extremely easy to ride and so smooth. Its easy to ride in that the gearing is perfect for the upright handlebar position, the tires are smooth and stable, the Grand Prix just wants to go. The Raleigh also looks just as good as it rides, I am very proud of the work done on the Raleigh and the choices Joel made where perfect for the goal.
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Headtube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Caliper |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Rim |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Brooks Saddle |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat Tube |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Drivetrain |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Crank |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Caliper |
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| Jennifer's Raleigh Mixtie Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Thank you!
John Z.
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