Raleigh Team Banana Project

[Gunk]

I finally picked this up today, it’s been outside in a back garden for 12 months which hasn’t helped but the good news is that it’s 100% original even down to the reflectors, water bottle holder and supplying dealer sticker.

Originally my plan was to modernise it with newer components but now it’s home my plans have changed, I’m just going to carry out a light restoration and keep It original

I’ve ordered a new seat post, bought a fresh chain and handlebar tape. I’ve already got tyres tubes etc. The head bearings are OK, the BB is passable, although if the chainrings don’t clean up I’ll change the bearings, I don’t really want to remove it as they are an absolute pig to get off.

So here it is in all its glory!

 

[Stompier]

"Rusty's Cycles" - almost prophetic

 

[Gunk]

"Rusty's Cycles" - almost prophetic

That did make me chuckle!

 

[biggs682]

Nice easy refresh should do the job nicely

 

[Cycleops]

Nice one. Before you go any further try to get that seat post moving.
That chainring should clean up with some vinegar and aluminium foil. Regrease the hub bearings and BB, replace all the cables and you should be good to go.

 

[EltonFrog]

Nice project that, it looks quite small .

 

[Gunk]

51 cms so perfect for me which means I won’t want to sell it!

 

[midlife]

I'd be tempted to get a new freewheel to go with the new chain, less than a tenner

 

[cosmicbike]

Very nice. Had one of those as my first road bike, took me back and forth to college for a couple of years too. Chucked down the dump IIRC....

 

[Baldy]

Snap.

 

[Gunk]

I managed to grab an hour this morning and made a start. The first job was remove the seatpost, as you can see it’s scrap.





The seat was in remarkable condition, it cleaned really well.





I also cut the chain off with some bolt cutters the bottom bracket is nice and tight so the next job is to clean up the crank set.

The good news is that both wheels are pretty good and will respond to trueing, brakes are both seized and both mechs are in a state so I’ll strip and clean them up on the bench.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

This is the sort of bike I thought there would be thousands of still about. I know my dad still has his in the garage, I think he only rode it twice!

 

[Gunk]

This is the sort of bike I thought there would be thousands of still about. I know my dad still has his in the garage, I think he only rode it twice!

Most are probably now in landfill, they’re not worth much, about £100 in good serviced, clean original condition.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Most are probably now in landfill, they’re not worth much, about £100 in good serviced, clean original condition.

I imagine they made great fixies / singlespeeds if you can find one with a solid frame. My dad said I can have his, but I'm considerably taller than he is.

 

[EltonFrog]

What size is that seat post? I might have a spare if you need it.