Spotter's Current Project Collation

I used to buy these when they were super cheap, I wish I'd got more the gold was far more muted which looked like brass, alas they dont have gold any more but do have others.

https://bankruptbikeparts.co.uk/products/self-extracting-square-taper-crank-bolts-pack-of-2-choose-colour-red-gold-black-or-silver?variant=40908863111329

Then I used to get the TA ones, but again sold out everywhere in gold/brass now - still have silver.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainsets/ta-self-extracting-crank-bolts-m8-silver-per-pair/

So I was forced to buy expensive german ones this time

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192601998062?var=492736477147

Forgot to mention that the brake levers finally arrived!

and my LBS tells me my cork grips came

german ones

These are the ones / or similar to the ones I found last I looked for them and I didn't want the postage penalty... Hence me asking

Thanks for the links... Quite tempted by the TA ones...

Those levers are so lovely

These levers are lovely. What model is it?
Did I miss it upthread?

Err I dont know I may have mentioned them, they're Tektro FL540 quite hard to find in all silver though.

https://www.tektro.com/products.php?p=75

All will be revealed soon, it's a classic

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

A Raleigh 531?

Yes, started work on it today

Had a 26.8mm seatpost which suprised me.

#discbrakesaredead

Plain gauge 531 is 26.8mm I think.

I recall being told that some builders flip the seatube on larger frames to give a slightly larger junction at the bb shell, for stiffness or whatever... Gazelle certainly did it...

Basically done, grips looked like plastic dog turds so I couldnt bring myself to use them.

Need to clean some of the stickers off, but other wise super happy rides great even though it is meant to be a lock up bike.

You sexy fucker! Did it again didn't you. Mega pretty

grips looked like plastic dog turds

Anti-theft devices

Well done. You do build some rather splendid looking bicycles

Looks lovely!

That's interesting... I got a Mercian few month back to replace my 1990s Dawes Galaxy (better sized frame for me) and the eBay description claimed it was built out of 531 Super Tourist, like the Galaxy. The stickers though only say the generic "531 Respray". I expected amongst other things that the seatpost diameter would be the same, I.e. 27mm but it was 27.2. Some tubes of the main triangle are of a smaller diameter than the Galaxy. The Galaxy has its original paint job/stickers so I think it genuinely is 531ST. But the Mercian confuses me. The claim it's 531 ST throughout is by its original owner who ordered it from Mercian in 1988, so should be legit, unless he's confused about it... (It's a King of Mercia, but that in itself may not mean anything I've noticed variations in that model...)
Sorry for derailing thread @spotter

Stunning piece of machinery that's for sure!

A timeless beauty.

Lovely. Is this the same frame you had yonks ago?

Well remembered, but no my old one was a Royal

They're both 1984-6 (ish) . They are almost same frame but with a different paint job and chainstays, however the Classic came nicer kit:

• Sugino PX cranks (alas they were gone on mine)
  
• 'Jim Blackburn' alloy racks (which I do have)
  
• Ti Cage RD (alas gone when I got it too)
  (from the 1984 catalogue)
  
  
  

I love how well documented these older Raleighs are. And yours looks fabulous.

total vibe

That photo is what dreams are made of. I've been thinking about buying a ratty Raleigh Randonneur for locking up at the station and occasional weekend touring.

@Rik_Van_Looy
the frame is actually badged up as 531c

@jambon Excellent idea - royals also came with canti's later in their life if thats what you want