1980 Raleigh ‘Denim’ Eighteen
- Thread starter Survivor Bikes
- Start date
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- Tags
- raleigh shopper bike
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OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Wow, that's clean. Are you a secret time traveller?
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Lol. It is very clean and I haven’t touched it. I got it free too, though it’s still in my possession it no longer belongs to me, I’ve promised it to another forum member.
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Well, its lovely. Mid to late 70s possibly ? (judging by the livery).
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
January’78. It’s the fourth Twenty I’ve owned and moved on. I’m more interested in Dawes Kingpins. A much nicer bike in my opinion and predates the Raleigh Twenty three years originally.
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
I haven't actually done a Kingpin yet, I have three in my boneyard shouting to be restored (or restomodded). I love the Kingpin's frame shape, and I suspect their build quality was a bit superior to that of Raleigh, by the 70s at least. For one of my birthdays as a kid, I got a Dawes Lightning racer, and it was lovely.
The other frame shape that I really like is often badged as a Vindec or Elswick; and it looks like this...
Again, I've got one of each in storage, just waiting for a new lease of life :-)
Last edited:
FrankCrank
Old layabout
And another for the ladies
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Teeny tiny chain guard, now coated and adorned...
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Day 6. Yet another short shift today, so not much to report. I blasted and coated the alternative (and less battered) front mudguard.
The rest of the time was taken up with the original front wheel. I disassembled the wheel and polished and serviced the front hub, with nice new 3/16” ball bearings.
The original rim was too bad even for a chromer to take on. So, following an acid bath, I’ve blasted, sanded, polycarbide-d, and Scotch Brited it, to some semblance of ‘half decent’.
Tomorrow (shedule permitting) I plan to give it the same treatment as the frame; i.e. Candy Red. Hopefully once rebuilt with nice new spokes the and shiny front hub, it will look ok. If it works, I’ll do the same with the rear.
Hopefully, I’ll have something photo-worthy tomorrow. TTFN
The rest of the time was taken up with the original front wheel. I disassembled the wheel and polished and serviced the front hub, with nice new 3/16” ball bearings.
The original rim was too bad even for a chromer to take on. So, following an acid bath, I’ve blasted, sanded, polycarbide-d, and Scotch Brited it, to some semblance of ‘half decent’.
Tomorrow (shedule permitting) I plan to give it the same treatment as the frame; i.e. Candy Red. Hopefully once rebuilt with nice new spokes the and shiny front hub, it will look ok. If it works, I’ll do the same with the rear.
Hopefully, I’ll have something photo-worthy tomorrow. TTFN
Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
Won't the paint come off the first time you use the brakes?
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
The message I'm getting from all these pictures of stars on bicycles is, "ride a shopper bike and you'll die prematurely."
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Evening. No, I’m using epoxy/polyester powder coat, so that won’t be a problem. Powder coated rims provide a slightly better braking surface than the old school chrome finish.
But, if I could, I’d still chrome everything. It’s just for too expensive nowadays, especially for a small scale project like this one. For a 451 rim, you’re looking at around £60 each. Ouch 😣!
I had test run today on my restored Claud Butler and forgot how bad braking was on chromed rims.
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
OP
OP
Survivor Bikes
Senior Member
Yep, you do have to think ahead, particularly in the rain. But they’re definitely the prettiest.
