Raleigh Gran Sport 1983 - Bringing it back from the dead

Welcome to our world, fun isn't it?

Anyway its not about the cost its about the journey (or some other management talk type piffle someone said to me once)

It'll be worth it when you're basking in its shiny glory honest.

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It’s not meant to be quick or simple. It’s meant to be absorbing and satisfying.

Otherwise why do it?

Satisfying and absorbing yes I can agree with that

allenh":3hivvquo said:

Satisfying and absorbing yes I can agree with that

Click to expand...

Yes - I can certainly agree with that too.

It is all about the thrill of the hunt for those elusive bits and in restoring something, whether it be a simple component or a whole bike, back to how it should be.

There is nothing better than stripping each component down into its own component parts, whether that be brakes, rear mechs or taking apart and regreasing hubs or pedals then rebuilding so that they can last another 30 years rather than ending up on the scrap heap.

Most of my classic bikes have worked out “cost neutral” as I tend to buy bikes or components in their unrestored state then make a profit when I sell on - typically this means that the bits I have left are effectively FOC and paid for from the profit made on the other parts (or so I like to tell my wife!)

I’m looking forward to getting the Gran Sport completed but once done, I also hope to take it out for a few rides this summer and maybe even use it in a future Eroica event with my Son, assuming lock down ever ends...

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The frame is all painted and ready for collection - can’t wait!

That’s looking good. What was the paint?

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I got it painted by Catherine at UCC - I think she uses the original Raleigh recipe!

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Forks are back from the platers too - they have made a great job.

This is coming together very nicely indeed, sunglasses for viewing might be advisable at this rate.

Nice looking paint job, is it stove enamel or 2-pac car paint? And do the painters have a website?