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I just gave it a pre-spring strip and clean so thought I'd share. . . [edited from 1993 to 1992 after looking at an old catalogue] 1992 Galaxy Twin, 21"/19", Shimano XT 3 x 7 speed, acquired a couple of years ago and used by myself and my wife/daughters. Wheels upgraded in the 1990's to 48h...

My BBs are getting a bit rough - does anyone know whether they are just normal English threaded bottom brackets or something more specialised? I appreciate that the stoker BB is in an eccentric shell and that it has quite a big Q factor (due to having cranksets on both left and right) which...

Does anyone have one of these lying around or attached to a useless lever? I have a pair of 1985 levers I was about to fit and realise one of the fixing clip/clamps is missing. Many thanks!

I'm looking at a tandem and wanted to know if I can get hold of replacement chainrings, specifically to get smaller rings than currently. The exisiting rings on the Stronglight crank are 50-38 I think. The BCD looks small but I'm unsure what it is. The small ring may fit to the rear of the...

Do any of you folks have a pair of these lying around? My dropout screws seized in solid and I had to drill them out with a 3.5mm bit. I'm not bothered about re-tapping and wondered if I could just use one of these nut/bolt things that the cheaper bikes used to have. Any help appreciated...

A year ago I resurrected my from-new 1985 Raleigh Gran Tour and it’s now doing hard service as my only rainy day/winter/commuting bike. Plans are to upgrade transmission to modern STI but priority was to upgrade the awful Weinmann centre pulls which, on wet downhills were lethal. In the dry...

I bought this 1986 Raleigh Gran Tour frame new, toured on it extensively and have recently restored it for daily use, as my only bike for winter Sportive training and a 12 mile each-way commute. The old 600 tricolour groupset remains in places, including the silky hubs on the MA40 handbuilts...

My 1984 Raleigh frame is now stripped to go to the paintshop. The (Suntour) rear dropout adjusters were a pig to get out and have been damaged in the process. Does anyone know where I might source a pair of these? The knurled end knobs are intact and can be reused if needed so it's just...

We see so many photos on here of pristine machines that I thought I’d redress the balance with a couple of photos of an old classic in real-world everyday hardworking use. My old 1985 Raleigh Gran Tour is now in use as a winter trainer in prep for some big Sportives next season (I’m saving...

My only road bike for the forseeable future is my beloved 1984 Raleigh Gran Tour. I've recently resurrected it and will use it daily, all year round. I had my LBS regrease my Shimano 600 hubs but I just wondered what the accepted advice is in respect of regular maintenance, given that I'll...

I'm preparing to have my old 531 frame blasted and painted by a reputable Edinburgh steelwork painting company. I'm opting for a two pack polyurethane (I'm ex-paint industry so not looking for paint advice per se) and plan to apply vinyl-cut lettering to the frame, and new 531 decals. The...

I was rather surprised to find that the distance between my rear dropouts is only 122mm. For two reasons. One, the Shimano 600 hub is 126mm. Two, the frame is a mid 1980's 531c (Raleigh Gran Tour) which surely would have been 126mm, wouldn't it? Anyway, I've had the frame from new and...

The reason I ask is this. My late 80s 531 frame has 126mm rear dropout, with Shimano 600 hubs suitable for a 126mm spacing. I plan to get the bike resprayed at Jacksons and at the same time have the rear end re-spaced to 130mm, so that in future I can fit modern wheels with a modern 8...

This is a story about sentimental value. This is the bike that I’ve had since new in 1986. A 531c Raleigh Gran Tour frameset, in 54cm size, it’s quite a rare beast based on my Googling. It took me on several UK and continental tours and thousands of miles of commuting. Then a knee injury...

My late 1980s Shimano 600/Mavic MA40 wheels are as true as the day I had them built but the bearings sound a bit dry. They did plenty of miles back in the day but have done none for almost 20 years so I reckon there's plenty of life left in them. Can I lubricate the bearings, does anyone...

My late 80's 531c Raleigh Gran Tour is back on the road after being hung up for 15 years. It's a fab bike, I've now been reminded! I was thinking of just keeping it going while I saved for a modern bike, but I've realised that it's a viable proposition to keep it long term and invest in it...