What to buy 1980/1990 race bike.

[Boon 51]

Yes as it was sold as a town bike i should think originally

It's cheap and needs a far bit spending on it but that's what I want so it might be a keeper or I might just run it on the cheap and do it that way?

 

[Boon 51]

looks like a Raleigh Merlin. eBay's algorithms' throw up a couple more town bikes in Kent including this early 80's Raleigh. Town bikes can often be in good condition because people would be them with the intention getting fit and then leave them sitting in garages unused. The thing to be aware of is that steel rims don't like stopping in the wet.

I could have a look for some other wheels if that's the case..

 

[biggs682]

It's cheap and needs a far bit spending on it but that's what I want so it might be a keeper or I might just run it on the cheap and do it that way?

If you want cheap Cycling then look no further than Falcon Explorer 12 coming close to 500 miles covered now

 

[Boon 51]

If you want cheap Cycling then look no further than Falcon Explorer 12 coming close to 500 miles covered now

Yep that would do me something like that so I can strip it down and put back together again... its the best way I can learn.

 

[Boon 51]

Got a problem.
Just fitting the rear brake back on the bike and its jamming.
If your standing at the back of the bike looking at the saddle the left hand brake is locked on to the wheel rim. I have loosened it and turned the caliper clock wise then re tightened but the left brake just locks on to the wheel?
Got any ideas?

 

[Boon 51]

Need advice with the Triumph.
Do you think the wheel will clean up, and the handle bar post is right out to the limit, how's the best way to lower it to a normal level?

 

[biggs682]

Slacken the nut at the top of the stem , it might need a gentle tap then set height as required but don't forget to re tighten .

I should think that will clean up nicely with some chrome cleaner .

 

[carpenter]

Try a bit of aluminium foil and water (or spit sticks well to the foil !) - I was amazed the first time that I tried rubbing down some steel rims with foil.

 

[Boon 51]

Slacken the nut at the top of the stem , it might need a gentle tap then set height as required but don't forget to re tighten .

I should think that will clean up nicely with some chrome cleaner .

OK good one.. I shall do that when my spanners arrive.

 

[biggs682]

OK good one.. I shall do that when my spanners arrive.

If i remember rightly either a 11 or 12 mm spanner should fit

 

[Boon 51]

If i remember rightly either a 11 or 12 mm spanner should fit

I have tried 7/8/9/10/11/12 mm and all seen either too big or small? on all the nuts, I do have and old muti bike spanner but its too big to fit in all areas..
PS I did the steering and that's good.

 

[Boon 51]

Try a bit of aluminium foil and water (or spit sticks well to the foil !) - I was amazed the first time that I tried rubbing down some steel rims with foil.

It seems like the wheels could be chrome plated, not sure?

 

[nonowt]

Yep, the wheels will be chrome and should clean up well with the tinfoil trick followed by autosol.

Mrs Nonowt had a nice blue ladies versions of the Traffic Master - she loved it. Unfortunately I persuaded her to swop it for a falcon Westminster which she hates! There will be a frame number on the back of the seat tube which will date it. The number after the two letters will be the year (i.e. 6 = 1976).

 

[Boon 51]

Yep, the wheels will be chrome and should clean up well with the tinfoil trick followed by autosol.

Mrs Nonowt had a nice blue ladies versions of the Traffic Master - she loved it. Unfortunately I persuaded her to swop it for a falcon Westminster which she hates! There will be a frame number on the back of the seat tube which will date it. The number after the two letters will be the year (i.e. 6 = 1976).

I will check again when the light is better but it seems to be NP 0010001 which don't make sense..lol

 

[nonowt]

That'll be 1980. N= Nottingham, P = November (confusingly!) and 0= 1980. What the rest of it means I've no idea!

http://www.kurtkaminer.com/TH_raleigh_serials.html