'81 Raleigh Competition 'Griffin'

Ramon · Sep 2, 2010

Hi Guys,

I have recently been restoring this 30 year old Raleigh Competition. She was in a very bad shape when I got her :roll: . So I fixed her up in a nice riding condition.

Just thought I would share some info/photos with you.

Some info about my bike:

Year: 1981
Make: Raleigh (Carlton)
Model: Competition
Frame: Reynolds 531
Wheels: Araya 700c (36)
Steering bar and stem: Suntour
Tires: Schwalbe Lugano
Crank: SilStar cranks with Campagnolo Super Rekord pedals
Rear Derailleur: Suntour Vx
Front Derailleur: Shimano Fx
Shifters: Suntour
Brakes: Weinmann 605's and Weinmann Brakehandles

My first intention with the bike was a quick fix and ride it but I felt like the bike deserved more. So here we are, several months later and I am pleased that I did spend that couple of more weeks working on it.

I tried to update the bike a bit giving it a more modern feel without destroying the classic look.

The idea for the name 'Griffin' came from the bicycle bell which has a Griffin stamped on it. I got the bell because the color matches the rest of the bike.

Ramon

Spokesmann · Sep 2, 2010

All sit together nicely. Im not sure about the tyres myself, but thats just me. Looks to be a good solid machine.

Ramon · Sep 2, 2010

Must say I wasnt sure about the tires myself at first.

It took me some time before I made the decision to put modern tires on a classic racebike. :roll:

This decision was made easier because the bike wasnt very original when I got it.

The old tires where starting to decompose so they simply had to go. I decided to give the bike a more modern feel to it using these 'new' (skinny) tires instead of more original ones.

I think it does make the bike look a lot more faster and gives it a more modern feel.

I know some of the purists may not like it, but the intention isnt to build a museum piece but a nice bike to ride.

Spokesmann · Sep 2, 2010

Ramon":17yoeq1x said:
Must say I wasnt sure about the tires myself at first.

It took me some time before I made the decision to put modern tires on a classic racebike. :roll:

This decision was made easier because the bike wasnt very original when I got it.

The old tires where starting to decompose so they simply had to go. I decided to give the bike a more modern feel to it using these 'new' (skinny) tires instead of more original ones.

I think it does make the bike look a lot more faster and gives it a more modern feel.

I know some of the purists may not like it, but the intention isnt to build a museum piece but a nice bike to ride.

I concur with your last remarks! I ride all mine, even though the oldest is pushing 53 years. Polished rear free wheels and such nonsense aint my idea of a bike...

bowser · Sep 3, 2010

agree i have some blue conti grand prixs on my road ace they match the frame nicely.
thats a nice classic raleigh frame by the way

Ramon · Sep 9, 2010

The Frame is a Reynolds 531 (been told that's a good thing) and the whole thing weighs just 10,5 kg (or 23 pounds)
(very light if you ask me, don't know what the weight of a standard classic racer is? :roll: )

the decals are a bit worn, so at first I wanted a full respray of the frame but I decided to keep it as is... just keeping a bit of the original

After a lot of polishing I discovered that the chrome is still in near mint condition

Jonny69 · Sep 9, 2010

Nice looking bike. I like the forks and chrome detail at the back.

'81 Raleigh Competition 'Griffin'

Ramon

Retro Newbie

Attachments

Spokesmann

Ramon

Retro Newbie

Spokesmann

bowser

Senior Retro Guru

Ramon

Retro Newbie

Jonny69

Senior Retro Guru

Similar threads

Latest posts