Resurrecting an Old Bicycle
 

I bought this Raleigh International about 40 years ago. i must have put 10,000 miles on it in College and beyond. In the Summer of 1976 I was in Boston, where I went to school for my BS. A taxi did a left turn in front of me late at night and shoved the right down handle bar into my bag and it came out just below my belly button. I don't remember anything after the impact. I woke up a few days later in the ICU. I was told they gave me the Last Rites (Catholic Hospital). The cab was a hit and run. They told me I would never have kids; I have two. Haven't ridden a bike much since then.

Anyway I replaced the front forks decades ago, but haven't ridden it in 35-40 years. My wife wants a bike to cruise when we RV, so I'm going to buy her one and I'll fix this up and ride it. Needs a good wash and lubing and new tires and inner tubes. Apparently 27x1/18" tires and tubes aren't real common anymore. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372461273.jpg

that's what I call an OWEE!

Wow! What a story!

I see good things there, Hugh. It looks like it's been indoors for 40 years, so the paint and alloys still have life, I like the vintage brooks saddle and the silca pump, both sought after vintage items. Looks like Simplex or suntour derailleurs and probably a suntour crank with some nice high flange hubs, more than likely at least Suntour quality. I'd replace the brakes with something newer, but that's only because I can't abide center pulls anymore - they're the cycling equivalent of SU carbs in my humble opinion! Classic but fussy.

This is definitely a keeper, no need for a respray, just some tender loving care, grease, rubber, cables and polish and you can have a vintage steed with a nice, personal provenance! Keep us posted, and don't hesitate to ask questions!

I'd get your wife a new comfortable bike and leave than on the hook as a memento.

ouch.
that had to hurt.

"into my bag"

Geesh. You have a way with words. Gives me the shivers.

Cool bike though!

Herr,

The bike is 100% Campy, Originally it came with "sew-ups" I re-lased the rims after I quit racing with street rims. No excuse, I should have taken better care of it. Lots of rough memories, but its going back on the road. Or at least the bike trails. It took my right nut.

Oh dear, I fear this is too much information. From now on will we call you, "Hang'n louie Hughie," or "Hugh Rightless," or "Ball one Hughie," or "Hughball" ?

How's it hanging, er Hughball?

I just looked up the specs on the International. Seems you've always been a man of good taste! Very nice ride, just one classification below the iconic Raleigh Professional. I didn't know!

(I'd feel sorry for you but I read your "How was your day" post in a recent thread, and I'll raise a glass to you instead, to both the yin and the yang in your life!)

Doug,

You know I was pretty devastated when it happened at age 19 or so. But to my surprise, I found women didn't care. You'd think they might but they really didn't. I'm lucky, it also took a few feet of my small intestine, but I'm lucky, I work just fine; in every aspect.

Herr, I had the pleasure of training with John Allis regularly. He rode for Team Raleigh out of Boston. He was an animal and to say I kept up with him on a regular basis would be a lie.

I'm glad you came out of that early accident OK. I feel lucky when I see what some of the people on here have gone through. You seem like a fighter as do some of the others. Good trait.

Any idea where my 1971 Competition would slot into that equation?
(In original Lilac/Blue with gold script, Brooks, sew ups, 5-speed spacing, large-flange Campy hubs, center-pull brakes, StrongLight crankset)
Bill K

This is why being a man is so great. We can age, go grey, bald, gain weight and apparently loose a testis, yet women don't seems to mind.

I had a Competition before my International. Its the next step down, but a very good bike in the day.

I had a R competition from the early 60's
it had the 531 frame but cheaper parts my bike had a steel crank
and frog made shifter/derailers
the comp was R's lower end real race bike

early internationals had a slightly different frame
with centerpull brakes like the comp [ wieman]
but all the other bits were campi
a buddy who worked for joe bike in the grove shop had one
I remember him going on about adding campi brakes to his bike

the pro was all campi I have had two of them
the only other difference from the international
was the rear stays at the top seat post shape

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1372564604.jpg

Washed it off, bought new tires and tubes, 27x1-1/4" instead of the 1/8" tires, its going to be more of a cruiser. Tires and tubes were cheap, like $40 total. But didn't think to get the rubber bands that go around the inside of the rim below the tube. The old ones were dust. Took some 000 steel wool to a few light rust spots and they came out nice. Tomorrow I'll tooth brush it with WD-40. Tried to break the chain to soak it. Its a little tight, but every link is loose. I'm sure its salvageable with a good soak and lube. I'll break the chain and soak it when I get back from my RV trip for the 4th to Morrow Bay.

After a few decades I was pleased to find my Campy tools buried in my big tool box. Slathered the Brooks saddle in Lexol a few times. I'm kind of ashamed that I let such a nice bike sit for several decades. It was a mental detachment thing.

Bought the wife a new Cannondale cruiser today for her B-day which happens to be the 4th.

In looking at it, I should have posted this stuff in the Ultimate Bike thread, but had never, until today, given it any thought.

I saw an $8,500 composite bike today, wow, it weighted 13.5 pounds

Campy tools? Got a picture?

Yeah.....as long as we can provide "security".......which is code for......;)

Only a wrench or two, a crank puller, and a spoke wrench.

My friend Freddie ripped his nuts off on a surveyor stake, while tobogganing, age 12 or 13.
They put one back.
He was told: no kids for him.
He still managed to get a girl pregnant, while still in high school.

I gotta did the DeRosa out of the attic. One of these days.
My carbon fibre mountain bike probably weighs less.....