Raleigh Pursuit Restoration/Modification

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E

eddieroscoe

Regular
Hi all

A big hello from me, I was wondering if someone in the know may be able to help me with some restoration questions. I have read lots on forums but as a new restorer I am (as you can imagine) very confused.

I own a 12 speed Raleigh Pursuit that I picked up for a tenner and I want to do some work on it to suit my needs, be functional (with gears) and look nice.

Here is the current spec:

FRAME: 4130 LIGHTWEIGHT CROMOLY TUBING
BACK DERAILER: SHIMANO SIS
FRONT DERAILER: SHIMANO
WHEELS: No Name with Shimano 6 speed freewheel fitted
CHAINING BOLT - SAKAE POWER RING
DOWN TUBE GEAR LEVERS (SHIMANO)
HANDLEBARS - Italmanubri - Mod. Europa Super Racing
BRAKES - Vintage V Brakes

So, it's been taken to bits and I am going to sand and repaint the frame. My questions are thus:

1) If I get new wheels with a cassette, will the casette be compatible with the front derailer and chaining bolt and if so, what type of cassette do I need for the most gear options?

2) If I can't get a cassette, what are the best wheels that I can get for use with a freewheel?

3) On a side note, what is the best/lightest vintage frame from the Raleigh racer series that I can buy that will be compatible with cassette wheels?

Many thanks for your help on this, photos to follow.

Best

Eddie
 
gbb

gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
eddieroscoe said:
Hi all

A big hello from me, I was wondering if someone in the know may be able to help me with some restoration questions. I have read lots on forums but as a new restorer I am (as you can imagine) very confused.

I own a 12 speed Raleigh Pursuit that I picked up for a tenner and I want to do some work on it to suit my needs, be functional (with gears) and look nice.

Here is the current spec:

FRAME: 4130 LIGHTWEIGHT CROMOLY TUBING
BACK DERAILER: SHIMANO SIS
FRONT DERAILER: SHIMANO
WHEELS: No Name with Shimano 6 speed freewheel fitted
CHAINING BOLT - SAKAE POWER RING
DOWN TUBE GEAR LEVERS (SHIMANO)
HANDLEBARS - Italmanubri - Mod. Europa Super Racing
BRAKES - Vintage V Brakes

So, it's been taken to bits and I am going to sand and repaint the frame. My questions are thus:

1) If I get new wheels with a cassette, will the casette be compatible with the front derailer and chaining bolt and if so, what type of cassette do I need for the most gear options?

2) If I can't get a cassette, what are the best wheels that I can get for use with a freewheel?

3) On a side note, what is the best/lightest vintage frame from the Raleigh racer series that I can buy that will be compatible with cassette wheels?

Many thanks for your help on this, photos to follow.

Best

Eddie
Click to expand...

Hiya Eddie.
First thing, are they 27 inch wheels or 700's.
The cassette (actually the wrong term, its a 6 speed freewheel) dictates you need either 700 wheels with a screw on hub, or 27 inch wheels with screw on hub. There are new ones around on the likes of ebay, but they'll likely be very budget quality. Thats not the end of the world, because i always find 'budget' wheels invariably need the hub bearings set up properly. They're usually poorly adjusted when new. get them set properly and they'll usually last quite well albeit not light. I dont know if older size screw on wheels are available from the online suppliers like Wiggle etc.

Almost any Shimano 6 speed freewheel will fit, just get the right ratios and make sure its SIS compatable.

6 speed is 6 speed if that makes sense...it doesnt affect anything on the chainrings whichever freewheel you get.

Raleigh made better bikes in Renolds 501 tubing which is better and lighter , Renolds 531 is even better still , even lighter.
 
tyred

tyred

Squire
Location
Ireland
I'd echo what Gbb says about the hubs. Most of the cheaper wheelsets available use Quando hubs. I have several of these and they've given good service, but only after I had greased them and adjusted them properly as they come supplied with insufficient grease and were over-tightened. Used as they came, I would expect bearing life to be very poor. I think Sturmey Archer do a screw-on hub and I'd expect it to be decent quality. Not sure what else would be available in that line.

6 speed freewheels are easily available. I would go for a 14-28 to give a decent bottom gear (unless you live in a very flat area). You will find the modern Shimano freewheel blocks give a much sweeter gearchange than any of the old French things with plain teeth.

You could use a modern cassette hub but you will need to spread the frame to make it fit as the hub is wider. I wouldn't consider it worth the hassle and expense but that's up to you.
 
Z

Zoiders

New Member
Location
Ice Station Zebra
The Pursuit came in few diffirent modelsat various spec levels.

Wheels are 700c, OLN is 126mm so it will take a modern 130mm no problems, people do get a bit OCD about "cold setting" a frame but you arent going to kill a frame with a 2mm stretch of the chain stays outward.

I wouldnot waste money trying to strip the paint by hand or putiing on a paint can spray job, you will be there for ever, you will use the worlds supply of paper and scotchbrite in the process and the results will look horrible. A one colour shot blast and powder coat would set you back maybe £50 instead and is better value.

I wouldn't go mad restoring a Pursuit, it's not widely held to be anything special, they make good winter hacks though.

One comment on the wheels - depending on the year of manufacture you may have an early 6 speed cassette fitted.
 
C

chillyuk

Guest
I bought a pair of these wheels from Edinburgh Cycles and they seem fine. As has been said, it is worth popping the hubs out and greasing/adjusting them. My Raleigh has a 7 speed screw on freewheel.
 
Cycleops

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
Just one small point, the brakes will be caliper not V type. Might be worth finding a Reynolds 501 or 531 frame to swap your components on to ( if that was the aim of Q3) but the Pursuit was towards the bottom of the range so probably not worth it. Good luck.
 
OP
OP
E

eddieroscoe

Regular
After being in Australia for year and putting the project on hold, I am now getting ready to start it.

I have taken the Pursuit to bits and am just going to use certain parts from it e.g. I took apart the calipers and shined them up and put them back together. I've bought some charge bowl handlebars and the wheels I've purchased are the mavic CXP22 which I sincerely hope I can get to fit to the 531.

I am now searching for a Raleigh 531 or 531c frame of the right height for a 6ft 1 bloke.

Last year I found a great 531 frame and forks in my size but unfortunately, when I took it to get it powder coated, after the blast, rust had set in to far.

I'll post photos as this project continues ^_^
 
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