Raleigh Eclipse - late 80's Reynolds 501

[Percybigun]

I recently aquired this bike off ebay, it was rougher than i expected and worse than described, but nothing a bit of elbow grease and TLC couldnt fix.

I always wanted one of these in the late 80's when i got my raleigh kelloggs, the black wheels and black bling were rare for the era, and it had plenty of nice bits. Ok its not the greatest/lightest but i've always been quite happy with raleigh reynolds framed road bikes.

The only upgrades it had when i got it were the front/rear mechs and chainset, i've done the rest. I also had to give the frame a thorough clean, some minor touch up and applied new original decals (from H Lloyd cycles). On new/upgrade parts i fitted i went for black as a nod to the original colour scheme. Its not intended to look original/standard but in keeping and a bit modernised. Although I'd like to find a black/white chainset and white cranks, similar to the original? I'm not bothered about 3 cogs up front because i mainly ride on long flat (empty) fen roads, which is bliss! I've bought a 8 speed 11-34 cassette, not yet fitted. Also got a black carbon selle italia SLR saddle to fit ( which will go with the black bar tapes better)

Frame: reynolds 501 23.5"

Fork: reynolds 501

Headset: original
Stem: original black alloy
Handlebar: original engraved raleigh alloy drop bars
Bar Tape: FSA Ultragel Cork Bar Tapes

Brake Levers/Brifters: original black weinmann alloy
Brake Calipers: campagnolo centaur dual pivot
Brake Pads: campagnolo centaur
Brake Cables: BBB new cables

Shifters: original shimano SIS
Front Derailleur: shimano alvio
Rear Derailleur: shimano alvio
Derailleur Cables:
Cassette: shimano 7-speed MFTZ21 14-28
Chain:
Cranks: sakae SR alloy
Chainrings: sakae SR alloy
Bottom Bracket:
Pedals: alloy VR with integrated toeclips & straps

Rims: black sun M13 handbuilt 700c (retro/vintage style which replicate the originals nicely)
Hubs: 126mm quanta joytech
Hub Skewers: quanta quick release
Nipples: DT Brass
Spokes: DT champion 2.0 stainless
Tyres: schwalbe blizzard sport 700 x 23c
Tubes: giant

Saddle: selle italia H1
Seatpost: black alloy System Ex with quick release

Bottle Cage: team raleigh
Extras: Cateye strada wireless cycle computer

 

[daccordimark]

I'm liking that, especially the red stripes.

Mark.

 

[Percybigun]

Heres a scan of the 1988 raleigh catalogue showing the eclipse and the kelloggs (both my bikes were on the same page woohoo!)

 

[531 pro]

Classic 80's

This is my era of bikes ha ha Used to see lots of these around - yours looks in good nick. Classic 80's.

 

[Jonny69]

From your description I wasn't sure if this was going to work, but the pics say otherwise. I think it looks great. Being a Raleigh, I bet it's a lovely smooth ride, too. Out of interest, what diameter is the seatpost on this?

 

[Percybigun]

Thanks, the seatpost is 27.2mm. I always thought the eclipse looked a bit ahead of its time, so i knew it would benefit cosmetically with a few modern bits here and there.

I went for 27.2 because google found a few forum threads which say reynolds 501's have a 27.2 seatpost. I know my other reynolds bike has a 27.2.

However, It was a bit tight to get it in, i dont know if this is because of crud in the frame tube, or if the 23.5" reynolds has a 27mm post? My other bike has the 21" frame. I have noticed a few differences for 21" to 23.5" frame (forks, concealed cable on the 23.5", and possibly seatpost size difference. This might also be because my two bikes could be 2-4 years apart, raleigh developed bits and bobs as time went on. I need to date my frame numbers.

And yes it is so smooth to ride, acceleration is fast and effortless! Apart from i now need a new chain

 

[Ian Raleigh]

''QUICK'' get rid of the quick release seat clamp! They just look awful on road bikes.

 

[Percybigun]

I fitted the selle italia SLR XP carbon saddle, looks better in black with the bar tapes IMO. And it is so comfy!

Also fitted a new shimano chain which has cured the chainslip, and had to re-align the rear derrailleur to stop it slipping off on backpedal. Gears all working lovely now. I've got some new cables but cant be arsed with the faff considering they're working well, and the current cables look ok.

I'm going to get new brake levers and conceal the cables next. The old weinmanns are ok but dont have release springs etc. it made quite a difference upgrading on my other bike

When i had the chain off, i span the crank and could hear a slight knock, and could feel very slight play. Does this mean it needs stripping and regreasing, or replacing?

Also does anyone know if shimano dura ace chainrings would fit?

 

[Dead Rats]

Your chainset looks to be 110bcd so I don't they DA rings would fit. Stronglight do good VFM rings in that size (but check first!)

 

[philchdwck]

raleigh eclipse

I also got one of these a couple of weeks ago. Paid very little cosidering how much these things were selling for in the summer. Its all original except for new tubes and tyres.

Going to use it for my commute instead of the old Raleigh pioneer I have.

Got to take her out at the weekend for the first time and loved it. Really glad I finaly made the switch back after giving up my old Gazelle 15 years ago for a new fangled aluminium hybrid and countless unsatisfactory bikes since.

It shifts nice and smooth and handles well. If this works out I will be leaving a bike widow behind in my pursuit of older steel road machines.