Resurrecting an Old Bicycle

[Hugh R]

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.

[flatbutt]

that's what I call an OWEE!

[herr_oberst]

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!

[Zeke]

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

[creaturecat]

ouch.
that had to hurt.

[LWJ]

"into my bag"

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

Cool bike though!

[Hugh R]

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.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Herr,

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?

[herr_oberst]

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!)

[Hugh R]

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.

[Evans, Marv]

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.

[bkreigsr]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

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!

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

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

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.

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.

[Hugh R]

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

[nota]

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

[Hugh R]

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

[herr_oberst]

Campy tools? Got a picture?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

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.

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

[Hugh R]

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

[creaturecat]

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.....