Good or bad what to do

[renno]

Right I don't know much about road bikes mainly been on mountain bikes but I've been given this vintage Graham weigh racing bike 853 Reynolds frame pics are how I got it I've not touched it yet ...
My question is it worth restoring or just use as is and run her into the ground ..

Any advice from a newbie

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and to CC
We've got to see some pics. Don't know if you can post yet but give it a try, or post a link to a photo site.
If it's in reasonable order and your size and you have a hankering to try road cycling give it a go. 853 should make it a top quality frame.

 

[fossyant]

Answer is yes for an 853.

 

[raleighnut]

Answer is yes for an 853.

Yep Reynolds 853 is still a 'premium' tubeset, depends what you mean by 'run it into the ground' it may need consumables like a chain and cassette or brake pads/cables but a 'handbuilt' 853 frame by a well respected builder like Graham Weigh is a bike for life. I've got 2 'posh' bikes, A 531c 'W' frame number Raleigh Road Ace and a 653 Time Trial bike (a mix of 753 and 531c tubing) and both are handbuilt and superb.

 

[renno]

Pics

 

[Drago]

Depends what it costs to restore as to whether it is "worth" it.

Do it because you want to.

 

[renno]

Hello and to CC
We've got to see some pics. Don't know if you can post yet but give it a try, or post a link to a photo site.
If it's in reasonable order and your size and you have a hankering to try road cycling give it a go. 853 should make it a top quality frame.

Thanks for the welcome 👍 pics should be uploaded now or when approved

 

[Cycleops]

You'll have to fight me for it first @Darius_Jedburgh

Love that 80's 'explosion in a paint factory' scheme.

 

[wafter]

Doesn't have to be a binary choice between full resto and running into the ground though, does it?

It looks very nice, all present and correct and one assumes if treated to a bit of sympathy and care it should last indefinitely.

If you're not keen it seems plenty of others are - obviously you'll have to let it go for a tenner now you've let slip that it was gifted to you

 

[renno]

Doesn't have to be a binary choice between full resto and running into the ground though, does it?

It looks very nice, all present and correct and one assumes if treated to a bit of sympathy and care it should last indefinitely.

If you're not keen it seems plenty of others are - obviously you'll have to let it go for a tenner now you've let slip that it was gifted to you

Surly £15 as £10 seems a tad low 😂

 

[biggs682]

@renno nice find use it as is with general maintenance as it's only original once.

Please don't paint it

 

[Gillstay]

I would just service it and use it. looks great. Then if it suits you you can always make it better.
A new bike only goes one way, but an old bike can get better and better.

 

[Chislenko]

Don't know where you are renno but there is like a bike museum above his shop in Shotton with lots of nice stuff in it. You may find something like yours there to compare with

 

[renno]

@renno nice find use it as is with general maintenance as it's only original once.

Please don't paint it

Cheers no paint going on it mate just keep it original and see how I get on with it . Will give it a good clean new tape and service should be good to go 😄

 

[biggs682]

Cheers no paint going on it mate just keep it original and see how I get on with it . Will give it a good clean new tape and service should be good to go 😄

If you don't get on with it others will , but worth giving a good try first