First Timer 80s Raleigh Conversion

How come you removed the rear brake braze-ons but not swapped the brake bridge for a clean one? Looks half finished.
Paint and decals look great though.

I decided to keep both brakes, so the brake bridge will be being used - in fact I've already returned the rear calliper to its rightful position on the frame.

Looks great Pauly, where did you get the Reynolds 501 sticker from?

I got the Reynolds sticker from http://www.cyclomondo.net - the lad who runs the site is really helpful and delivery was really quick all the way from Australia.

I decided to keep both brakes, so the brake bridge will be being used - in fact I've already returned the rear calliper to its rightful position on the frame.

I got the Reynolds sticker from http://www.cyclomondo.net - the lad who runs the site is really helpful and delivery was really quick all the way from Australia.

Thanks for the link Pauly, I may try to get a 501 sticker for my bike.
Cheers, Dallas.

No worries mate.

Bar tape, brake hoods, saddle, chain stay protector, brake cables all fitted today. New bearings for the forks/head tube. Need to borrow a BB tool from my mate to fit that, then just waiting on cranks / pedals and it's good to go.

Cranks back from powder coater at the end of this week (that's his code speak for sometime next week).

Found some toe clips, so they're on the pedals along with some leather straps.

Raleigh badge is back on the front.

In fact - it's pretty much done! Setting the brakes up is still causing me a headache, but the bloke at my local bike shop said it would be no problem to sort and there's no harm giving everything I've done a quick once over either.

mate, agreed with comments at the start about not spending too much cash on this and not bothering changing the paint, but like the simplicity of the paint job with the red decal that you've gone for. looking good.

Thanks mate - all in, for the frame, forks and cranks to be dipped and powder coated cost me £90 and the stickers were a couple of quid from eBay.

Not a bad price really and a much nicer finish than the original paint or anything I could have done with a rattle can.

It's certainly a big improvement on the original paint which was definately a product of its time! I hated mine and was glad when it went rusty and gave me an excuse to get the wire brush on it.

Picked the cranks up today. Had them done in silver in the end - they were originally going to have to go the same colour as the frame - I'm much happier with this colour, so the stuck pedals delay turned out to be a result.

All the parts are in place now. I'm off work Friday - Sunday this week, so hopefully all finished this weekend and pics next week.

It's been a steep learning curve at times but luckily only a few, not too expensive mistakes have been made. Also hope I can sell a few of the unused parts and get some £££ back.

Thanks for all the help and comments along the way - hope the majority like the end result when the pics go up.

Just read back through, didn't realise you were powder coating the cranks, I would never have thought to do that and would have polished. Looking forward to seeing it finished and hearing how it rides.

Hi Pauly,
I see you're looking to recoup a few of the £s you've spent on the project and it made me wonder what happened to the smaller of your biopace chainrings. I've always liked the ones on the Raleigh, so much so that when I replaced the top chainring on my Scott roadbike the other day, I fitted a newish biopace and having just got in from a quick ride I can say it is the dog's danglies and I wouldn't mind replacing my lower ring with something similar. If yours hasn't got much wear and is either 39 or 38T then I may be prepared to offer a fiver and the p&p.

Just read back through, didn't realise you were powder coating the cranks, I would never have thought to do that and would have polished. Looking forward to seeing it finished and hearing how it rides.

The cranks were originally painted silver and were in a pretty bad way. I had them with me when I took the frame and forks to the powder coater and he offered to do them in with the price if I went for everything in one colour. Luckily he couldn't get the pedals off so they didn't get done and he ran them through with a silver job he had.

Hi Pauly,
I see you're looking to recoup a few of the £s you've spent on the project and it made me wonder what happened to the smaller of your biopace chainrings. I've always liked the ones on the Raleigh, so much so that when I replaced the top chainring on my Scott roadbike the other day, I fitted a newish biopace and having just got in from a quick ride I can say it is the dog's danglies and I wouldn't mind replacing my lower ring with something similar. If yours hasn't got much wear and is either 39 or 38T then I may be prepared to offer a fiver and the p&p.

I've still got everything from the original eBay purchase - I'll did the smaller Biopace ring out at the weekend and get a pic for you.

I've just stolen everything from my Elan for my newer roadbike and this is making me want to throw a fixed wheelset on it!
I was originally against the paintjob but it looks great, good choice.

Thanks man. The cranks look good with the new chainring on - no photos today because I've knocked myself down with a horrendous hangover.

It's finished - and been for a test ride around the block too!

Pics as promised:

Dallas: the small chainring is in very good condition, but is a 40T

Hi Pauly, first let me congratulate you on the fixie, looks great, the simplicity really suits it.
As for the chainring, I'll still take it off your hands for a fiver plus the p&p after Christmas if that's agreeable to you, it may be easiest to do it via paypal if you've got an account. Send me a message via my profile when you know the p&p and I'll send you my details, but there's no rush, so whenever you get chance.
Cheers, Dallas.

great finished bike, simple colours work well - I have the same bike but had original factory vee-brake mounts so decided to turn into a cyclocross project - hopefully will make a thread soon

Hi Pauly, first let me congratulate you on the fixie, looks great, the simplicity really suits it.
As for the chainring, I'll still take it off your hands for a fiver plus the p&p after Christmas if that's agreeable to you, it may be easiest to do it via paypal if you've got an account. Send me a message via my profile when you know the p&p and I'll send you my details, but there's no rush, so whenever you get chance.
Cheers, Dallas.

Thanks mate - message on the way re: the chainring

great finished bike, simple colours work well - I have the same bike but had original factory vee-brake mounts so decided to turn into a cyclocross project - hopefully will make a thread soon

Thank you too. Get a thread up with your bike on once you've started.

Lovely colors indeed!

Might I ask, so, how much it costed you in the end?

I've got it all written down, but basically:

Frame / forks = £20
Powder coating = £90
Wheels, hubs etc = £100
Chainring = £30
Saddle / seat post = £30

Then I had to get tyres, inner tubes, brake cables, brake pads, bar tape and stickers which were all a few £ each.

I'm in the process of selling off some of the parts I didn't use to hopefully recoup some money towards it.

Very nice indeed.

I have the same frame! well I'm 90% sure it is anyway, and it rides surprisingly nice to be honest. My Dad's friend found it in a skip and my Dad built it up, now he doesn't ride any more it's my road bike (I BMX mainly). I will get pics to compare but Im just pleased someone else has the same one lol. If you find out what the model is anywhere let me know please!

It's finished - and been for a test ride around the block too!

Pics as promised:

Thats come out nice there. I think if you were to upgrade it, a new stem would make it look loads better - something like this : http://ebay.eu/1d6nPtt

Very nice indeed.

Cheers :)

I have the same frame! well I'm 90% sure it is anyway, and it rides surprisingly nice to be honest. My Dad's friend found it in a skip and my Dad built it up, now he doesn't ride any more it's my road bike (I BMX mainly). I will get pics to compare but Im just pleased someone else has the same one lol. If you find out what the model is anywhere let me know please!

Yeah it is nice to ride - I haven't been far on it to be fair as I still haven't got a lock for it and don't fancy leaving it just propped against a wall.

I'm sure someone earlier in the thread said it was a Raleigh Elan?!?

Thats come out nice there. I think if you were to upgrade it, a new stem would make it look loads better - something like this : http://ebay.eu/1d6nPtt

I contemplated swapping them stem and also briefly considered bullhorn handlebars - in the end I decided to try and use as many of the original parts as possible. I like how some of the older parts look against the brand new powder coat.

It didn't cost much either.
Very nice.