should I revive my 1980s Dawes SuperGalaxy?
Discussion
In the early eighties I was a keen cyclist, a bit of road racing and cycle touring at weekends. I regularly did 100 mile days and at least once did a 200 mile day. I did over 7000 miles in 1982 while I was a student then when I got my first real wage in 1983 I splashed out on a shiny new Dawes SuperGalaxy. Unfortunately along with the first decent wage there was also a job which took up most of my time and I hardly got out on the bike even though I loved it. Eventually I stuck it in my sister's attic and left it there until I had more time.
Last night my sister gave me a call, she's moving home and just found my old bike in her attic, 'do I want it it back?'
It's a 1983 Dawes SuperGalaxy (bought from Dales in Glasgow)24" frames, Brookes leather saddle etc, probably did less than 500 miles over the summer of '83 before it was put away.
I'm now in my 50's, no longer do road cycling though I do about 5 miles a day and 20 at the weekend on forestry roads as part of recuperation from a knee injury. I'm around 20 stone now (was 18 stone back in '83)but not too much fat.
Will the old bike handle me getting back on the road again or would I be as well scrapping it and the idea of getting back on it? If getting back on it, what parts do I need to change and what do I need to look out for giving me problems (apart from my old body)?
Last night my sister gave me a call, she's moving home and just found my old bike in her attic, 'do I want it it back?'
It's a 1983 Dawes SuperGalaxy (bought from Dales in Glasgow)24" frames, Brookes leather saddle etc, probably did less than 500 miles over the summer of '83 before it was put away.
I'm now in my 50's, no longer do road cycling though I do about 5 miles a day and 20 at the weekend on forestry roads as part of recuperation from a knee injury. I'm around 20 stone now (was 18 stone back in '83)but not too much fat.
Will the old bike handle me getting back on the road again or would I be as well scrapping it and the idea of getting back on it? If getting back on it, what parts do I need to change and what do I need to look out for giving me problems (apart from my old body)?
Seriously dude. If you scrap it I`ll come and collect it asap. ! 
Super Galaxy is a very high quality bike and it would be an excellent bike to put on the road again. Shame to see it lying about, or even worse, scrapped.
Put it this way, if it`s complete with only 500 miles under it`s belt, it`s probably a £400+ ebay sale.
Super Galaxy is a very high quality bike and it would be an excellent bike to put on the road again. Shame to see it lying about, or even worse, scrapped.
Put it this way, if it`s complete with only 500 miles under it`s belt, it`s probably a £400+ ebay sale.
Thanks both, I haven't seen it since 1983 so didn't know what sort of condition it's in. My sister lives about 150 miles from me so I'll have to wait till the weekend to get a look. I told her not to chuck it out in the meantime and she said that she wouldn't have because it still looks like brand new. I'm looking forwards to seeing again now. I know it was a good bike at the time, I can't remember what it cost but know it was about 3 times what my previous bike had been.
My first and only drop bar bike, when I was about 11 was a Dawes. Not a Galaxy, a lesser model, but with that lovely red sunburst effect paintwork.
Last year, on a weekend trip to Bruges I saw a pair of Galaxy's outside a shop and the memories came flooding back. Sadly, time constraints precluded talking to their riders - I sure the story of their trip and bikes would've been fascinating though.
Restore it! A good mate of mine has just done this to an old Colnago and, compared to modern bikes, IMHO it looks stunning.
Of course, we need pictures too.
Last year, on a weekend trip to Bruges I saw a pair of Galaxy's outside a shop and the memories came flooding back. Sadly, time constraints precluded talking to their riders - I sure the story of their trip and bikes would've been fascinating though.
Restore it! A good mate of mine has just done this to an old Colnago and, compared to modern bikes, IMHO it looks stunning.
Of course, we need pictures too.
Of course it needs restoring, it will most likely be Reynolds 853 tubing which even now is used on high end steel race and touring bikes. Should be eligible for events like L'eroica too which are vintage bike rides across Europe. Once restored you'd be looking at a value will over £500 it's completed using all period parts, don't just throw any random components on it.
pablo said:
Of course it needs restoring, it will most likely be Reynolds 853 tubing which even now is used on high end steel race and touring bikes. Should be eligible for events like L'eroica too which are vintage bike rides across Europe. Once restored you'd be looking at a value will over £500 it's completed using all period parts, don't just throw any random components on it.
Hopefully it won't need much if the attic is dry, but that era Galaxy will be 531 tubes.+1, it'll be Reynolds 501.
A classic frame with modern drivetrain is pretty much heaven in my book, so I would say restore, particularly as you have a bit of history with the bike!
I think these came with a 27" wheelset. Going with 700c will open up a lot more options in wheels and tyres.
Assuming the rear spacing is 126mm, it'll cold-set to 130mm with no bother, so the frame will then play nicely with 8/9/10 speed groupsets. Otherwise Shimano Tourney works well as a 2x7 STI drivetrain and is cheap as chips.
Modern dual-pivot brakes will also be an upgrade!
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
A classic frame with modern drivetrain is pretty much heaven in my book, so I would say restore, particularly as you have a bit of history with the bike!
I think these came with a 27" wheelset. Going with 700c will open up a lot more options in wheels and tyres.
Assuming the rear spacing is 126mm, it'll cold-set to 130mm with no bother, so the frame will then play nicely with 8/9/10 speed groupsets. Otherwise Shimano Tourney works well as a 2x7 STI drivetrain and is cheap as chips.
Modern dual-pivot brakes will also be an upgrade!
Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
Keep it vintage, don't modernise it with cheapo modern stuff.
Get some good new tyres. The wheels may be 27 1/4 rather than the modern 700c, but you can still get high quality tyres in the right size. Panaracer Pasela are the ones to get. Tyres are important.
Grease up everything and get some new brake blocks (as they will have gone hard), possibly new cables if they are at all rusted.
Will be ready for anything.
Get some good new tyres. The wheels may be 27 1/4 rather than the modern 700c, but you can still get high quality tyres in the right size. Panaracer Pasela are the ones to get. Tyres are important.
Grease up everything and get some new brake blocks (as they will have gone hard), possibly new cables if they are at all rusted.
Will be ready for anything.
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