A couple of questions about restoring a bike
Discussion
Apologies if this has been covered before, search isn't working for me at the moment.
I'm about to start restoring an 80's Raleigh 'Record Sprint' road bike (one of the earlier ones with gold brakes/levers/hubs/chainset). I realise it's probably not worth doing in financial terms and I don't think it was a world-beating bike, even when new; but it has sentimental value. I'm happy enough to tackle most DIY or mechanical tasks but I've never done much work on bikes and there are a couple of areas I don't have a clue about.
1) I think the headset and bottom bracket need replacing. As far as I can gather from looking at old Raleigh catalogues on the internet, the headset is a Tange MA-60 (unfortunately I don't know what the bottom bracket is). While it would be nice to restore the bike using OEM parts, I haven't found a replacement Tange headset yet. Assuming I'll have to use something else, what should I look for and how do I know what will fit?
2) What tools should I buy in order to do the work? I'm not going to rebuild the wheels myself but are there any specific tools that will help with the rest of the dismantling/reassembly?
3) Are there any websites/books giving good step-by-step instructions for setting up gears, etc, etc?
Any general advice also welcome!
I'm about to start restoring an 80's Raleigh 'Record Sprint' road bike (one of the earlier ones with gold brakes/levers/hubs/chainset). I realise it's probably not worth doing in financial terms and I don't think it was a world-beating bike, even when new; but it has sentimental value. I'm happy enough to tackle most DIY or mechanical tasks but I've never done much work on bikes and there are a couple of areas I don't have a clue about.
1) I think the headset and bottom bracket need replacing. As far as I can gather from looking at old Raleigh catalogues on the internet, the headset is a Tange MA-60 (unfortunately I don't know what the bottom bracket is). While it would be nice to restore the bike using OEM parts, I haven't found a replacement Tange headset yet. Assuming I'll have to use something else, what should I look for and how do I know what will fit?
2) What tools should I buy in order to do the work? I'm not going to rebuild the wheels myself but are there any specific tools that will help with the rest of the dismantling/reassembly?
3) Are there any websites/books giving good step-by-step instructions for setting up gears, etc, etc?
Any general advice also welcome!
My dads got one of those, nice little bike!
I might possibly be able to help you with headset and bb, I have a pro race and the model prior to the pro race (the one between record spring and pro race) and in theory they will probably have the parts you need can't see raleigh changing them particularly.
See if you can find out and if not I'll try to get in to the garage to check tomorrow night.
You can have them by the way if they are any use. Whats wrong with yours though?
I might possibly be able to help you with headset and bb, I have a pro race and the model prior to the pro race (the one between record spring and pro race) and in theory they will probably have the parts you need can't see raleigh changing them particularly.
See if you can find out and if not I'll try to get in to the garage to check tomorrow night.
You can have them by the way if they are any use. Whats wrong with yours though?
wildoliver said:
My dads got one of those, nice little bike!
I might possibly be able to help you with headset and bb, I have a pro race and the model prior to the pro race (the one between record spring and pro race) and in theory they will probably have the parts you need can't see raleigh changing them particularly.
See if you can find out and if not I'll try to get in to the garage to check tomorrow night.
You can have them by the way if they are any use. Whats wrong with yours though?
Thanks for the kind offer, I'll see if I can find. To be honest, I'm only assuming they need replacing but if it's possible to just replace bearings or something, that might sort the problem. The headset has a lot of play in it and the BB is making some odd noises - we live by the sea and I don't think the sand has done it any favours over the years. I might possibly be able to help you with headset and bb, I have a pro race and the model prior to the pro race (the one between record spring and pro race) and in theory they will probably have the parts you need can't see raleigh changing them particularly.
See if you can find out and if not I'll try to get in to the garage to check tomorrow night.
You can have them by the way if they are any use. Whats wrong with yours though?
Well usually the cups are in ok condition, you'll probably find the bearing cages have disintegrated though! I've had these bikes for years and rebuilt them many times, again mainly due to sand as we live on east coast.
If the headset has play just tighten it up, usually it is fine, they don't seem to index like the more expensive headsets, generally the more expensive bikes and bits get the more temperamental they get, these are frankly cheap bikes and components and go on for ever! When I get round to posting my pics of the pro-race I have er modified I think you'll like it! I've gone the other way on that though and fitted campag bb and headset, and fitting it out with classic campag components, it's also been slightly changed cosmetically lol!
Only think I'm really desperate for now is a front wheel or hub or even just an axle. Would cheerfully swap you the parts you need if you have one.
If the headset has play just tighten it up, usually it is fine, they don't seem to index like the more expensive headsets, generally the more expensive bikes and bits get the more temperamental they get, these are frankly cheap bikes and components and go on for ever! When I get round to posting my pics of the pro-race I have er modified I think you'll like it! I've gone the other way on that though and fitted campag bb and headset, and fitting it out with classic campag components, it's also been slightly changed cosmetically lol!
Only think I'm really desperate for now is a front wheel or hub or even just an axle. Would cheerfully swap you the parts you need if you have one.
http://sheldonbrown.com/ has tonnes of info for you, including wheelbuilding.
If you've never built wheels before its going to take a bit of expense and time before you get it right most likely, satisfying though.
If you've never built wheels before its going to take a bit of expense and time before you get it right most likely, satisfying though.
I resurrected my Record Sprint in autumn last year to make it into a 'fixie' to commute to work on. Unforutnately in January the frame decided to snap on the right hand chainstay by the biggest chainring, so it was flung in the garage in disgust. I've still got it and it has an existing (original) headest and a very recent BB as the old one was getting tired. You are more than welcome to it if you wanted to collect it - I'm in the Surrey/Berkshire/Hampshire area. I've also got the rear derailleur if you were desperate.
Edited by JPJ on Tuesday 27th May 17:37
Unfortunately front wheel is on my 'new' fixie so I can't let you have that - sorry! Bits available are the frame, brakes, brake levers, headset, cranks, rear wheel and 6 speed cassette. If any are of use then you're welcome to them, but sounds like the one bit is the wheel I'm using.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff