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RALEIGH RESTOMOD

1972 Raleigh Grand Sports

Restomod describes a vintage restoration (in this case, of a bicycle) equipped with modern components. I think this build basically qualifies, but with some vintage parts mixing in with the modern. It all really started with the Dura Ace centerpull brakes that I stumbled upon on eBay. Of course, this means finding a frame built for centerpulls. This led to finding a neglected Raleigh Grand Sports posted on Craigslist.

The frame had dents on the top tube, worn chrome on the stays, faded original graphics and scratched paint. The original fork was oddly bent forward. A ripple in the headtube indicates whatever trauma happened. Luckily, wherever the bike was stored was dry, because there was almost no rust. As expected, the original components were scratched and dulled. All this meant there was a fair bit of work to do.

First, I tackled the frame. I gave it a light sanding as prep for a topcoat of Rustoleum white and lagoon blue. When completely dry, on went several coats of clear enamel. New decals from recently-shuttered velocals.com followed. I opted for aqua lettering and a blue-numbers version of the Reynolds 531 decal to match the panels and headtube. Going for a simplified color scheme, I chose to forego the original gold lettering and pinstripes. I like the look, but concede it’s missing some interesting detail. Other tasks included polishing the chrome, smoothing out the inside of the seat tube, and sourcing a replacement fork.

Next came sourcing and renewing the components, which proved to be a big task. True to my practice in reviving old parts, I stripped, filed, sanded, and polished to varying degrees. I worked on the original GB stem and vintage brakes the most, smoothing out the rough machining that characterized their original condition. I needed to remove scratches and strip the anodizing from the crankset and seatpost prior to polishing. A relief: the derailleurs just needed cleaning and polishing. I did need to build the wheels, another not-insignificant effort.

The running gear is basically all Shimano, with the exception of the Tektro brake levers. It’s a mash-up of different groups and decades. The Dura Ace centerpulls and 600 derailleurs are from the ‘70s. The 600 shifters are from the ‘80s. And the Dura Ace crankset, hubs and Ultegra cassette are from the ‘90s. The final touches are all new: Brooks saddle and grips, Crane bell, Velo-Orange bar, and SOMA tires.

All of the effort and investment might seem to be overkill for what is, after all, “just” a townie. The frame still has dents and rough chrome. The brakes aren’t exactly stop-on-a-dime. And, because it’s pretty flashy, I get anxious locking it up in public. But, in the end, bikes should be fun. With its classic looks and cool parts, the Grand Sports turns heads, sparks conversation, and is a blast to ride. It’s not totally practical—and absolutely fun.