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Post by franco on Dec 4, 2020 19:26:01 GMT
I saw a 1985 Raleigh Pursuit for sale 3 miles away from where I live at £25, so I did the right thing and went and bought it! From looking at some Raleigh catalogues and the bike itself it’s an entry level model but a tidy looking bike. 18-23 tubing, non qr wheels, 12 speed... Awful weather here today and lack of daylight hours so I haven’t had chance to get it in the stand and give it a full inspection yet, although it was sold as roadworthy. Not sure what my plans are for it, it’s a small frame and currently got bullhorn handlebars which do suit it. I’ll get some pictures up and report back in the next few days.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Dec 4, 2020 19:42:04 GMT
I have a few old Raleigh catalogs (US, no pursuit) if interested, send a message.
All the Best Jim
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Post by wheelson on Dec 4, 2020 20:06:54 GMT
I have a few old Raleigh catalogs (US, no pursuit) if interested, send a message.
All the Best Jim
I have the same addiction but right now I’m desperately concentrating on mostly parts to finish the dozen or so project bikes taking up every inch of my allotted bike floor space! Best, John “wheelson”
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Post by franco on Dec 4, 2020 20:08:32 GMT
I have a few old Raleigh catalogs (US, no pursuit) if interested, send a message.
All the Best Jim
Exactly Jim! I regularly spend more on a bottle of single malt whisky, to be able to buy an old cool bike for less is great. I love that era of Raleigh as well; Team Banana, Team Panasonic, Kellogg’s Pro Tour, Record, Medale... Thanks for the offer on the catalogues, if I had a ‘man cave’ I would but apparently I have too much stuff cluttering up the house according to my missus.
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Jem
Viscount
?
Posts: 3,390
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Post by Jem on Dec 4, 2020 21:11:35 GMT
This is what I call 'pocket money collecting'. There's not too many hobbies/pursuits these days that give so much value for money. If bikes weren't so big, I'm sure I would have lots more of them.
I used to buy/collect Seiko wrist watches when you could get some really nice vintage ones for £40-£80, and I very rarely went into 3 figures. I sold quite a number of them as the prices gradually went up and they funded other purchases, but nowadays the same watches are closer to £250-300. It would have been a better financial investment than a pension if I had known how the market would go.
I think if you can buy a vintage bike that back in the day cost a couple of hundred (as many Viscount did at the time) and you can get them for two figures, then you can't go wrong.
Another thing that you can do that with is golf clubs. A set that cost £300-£500 a decade ago, are now £50. The same set of clubs that Tiger Woods played in 1997, are now pocket money price...and although they might be well used or worn, they can't degenerate that badly can they? (in fact , that isn't a rhetorical question...can 'excessive' use of forged irons be damaging, does anyone know?)
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Post by franco on Dec 4, 2020 22:14:31 GMT
Storage is an issue Jem. Someone said I had “bicycle heritage sheds” on another forum but I ran out of room a long time ago. I’ve got a shared free lock up but don’t want to take liberties and completely fill the place. Can’t pass up on bargains though. I like working on them and even if it isn’t for me in the end it makes me happy seeing someone take a bike away excited about riding it.
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Dec 5, 2020 0:23:44 GMT
Storage is an issue Jem. Someone said I had “bicycle heritage sheds” on another forum but I ran out of room a long time ago. I’ve got a shared free lock up but don’t want to take liberties and completely fill the place. Can’t pass up on bargains though. I like working on them and even if it isn’t for me in the end it makes me happy seeing someone take a bike away excited about riding it. Storage is easy; the catalogs are .jpg images.
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Post by franco on Dec 5, 2020 11:47:18 GMT
Basic inspection this morning and the Pursuit is rideable as is, I was pleased to find the seat post and handlebar stem move freely, although I’ve never had a problem with Raleigh’s. Having said that it does need a few things to be up to a standard I’d be happy with. 1. The chain is too short, at some point a Tourney RD has been fitted but it may be okay with a short cage replacement. 2. The seat bolt no longer grips in the slot so needs replacing with one that has a bolt head and nut. 3. The saddle is toast 4. Replace cables 5. Rear wheel needs truing up a little 6. Replace tyres 7. Replace pedals 8. Some grey paint has been applied at some point perhaps to cover rust, I might uncover that and match the colour in. There is a prang on the left side seat stay but it doesn’t look like anything to worry about. Most of those things I have spare and are in keeping with bikes age. The handlebars look like an addition and not cut off drop bars, I can see clean chrome under the brake lever and the originals would have been alloy. Notice the cut off safety levers on the brakes, I like little things like this seeing what other people do to adapt parts. Rear block is Maillard and in good condition. 0A90C100-B147-4160-8089-E1769331131B by Franco_AC, on Flickr More close up pictures here www.flickr.com/photos/37459551@N08/albums/72157717172187927/with/50682204326/
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Dec 5, 2020 14:48:43 GMT
Great deal!
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Post by brianbutler on Dec 5, 2020 20:05:55 GMT
Franco, if you want to remove those safety lever stubs, you can take out the big screw, pull off the stubs, and cut off the boss flush with the brake body. Often, there is a small spring inside the boss that should come out before you cut. I do this all the time. It does not harm the brake lever in any way and makes it possible to use rubber brake hoods.
Brian
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Post by franco on Dec 6, 2020 15:36:57 GMT
Thanks Brian, I’ll do that.
I generally work outside on bikes because there’s no room in the shed, it’s difficult this time of year the weather is so horrible. Nearly dark at 4.00pm as well.
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Post by wheelson on Dec 6, 2020 20:30:09 GMT
Plus one on working outside and now being horrible weather! Like Franco, my shed is full, my basement corner is full, and my (mostly) screened back porch is now full of winterized porch and lawn furniture. My bike shop gig is mostly over until the end of February - beginning of March, but I have a key and I can slip in there from time to time, turn on the radio, and work on my bikes there. I have a few stored down there anyway. Just don't tell Mrs.W! Best, John "wheelson"
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Dec 6, 2020 23:39:34 GMT
Plus one on working outside and now being horrible weather! Like Franco, my shed is full, my basement corner is full, and my (mostly) screened back porch is now full of winterized porch and lawn furniture. My bike shop gig is mostly over until the end of February - beginning of March, but I have a key and I can slip in there from time to time, turn on the radio, and work on my bikes there. I have a few stored down there anyway. Just don't tell Mrs.W! Best, John "wheelson" John, you still have a living room; I am certain that Mrs. W. would not mind a few bikes mounted to the wall or leaning on the furniture :-) My shop is not heated; otherwise a fine place. I like to listen to music or rain on the roof, and sip a bit of coffee. The picture is for inspiration, it is not my place.
All the Best Jim
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Post by wheelson on Dec 7, 2020 0:24:16 GMT
Plus one on working outside and now being horrible weather! Like Franco, my shed is full, my basement corner is full, and my (mostly) screened back porch is now full of winterized porch and lawn furniture. My bike shop gig is mostly over until the end of February - beginning of March, but I have a key and I can slip in there from time to time, turn on the radio, and work on my bikes there. I have a few stored down there anyway. Just don't tell Mrs.W! Best, John "wheelson" John, you still have a living room; I am certain that Mrs. W. would not mind a few bikes leaning on the furniture :-) My shop is not heated; otherwise a fine place. I like to listen to music or rain on the roof, and sip a bit of coffee.
All the Best Jim Well, THAT won’t happen, especially with all the Christmas decorations going up! Of course, if there’s Hauser (Two Cellos) or Moody Blues music/video on, she might not notice. My 1920’s era garage is also unheated but perhaps a future “bike barn” in 2021. Best, John “wheelson”
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