British Bicycles of Chicago

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Comment by SlyRed on August 15, 2011 at 5:05am

Join me Sunday, August 21 to crash this Schwinn-fest at Village CycleSport in Arlington Heights.  We need more English bikes there than last year!  I'll be taking Blackadder and another English bike and a French one.

 

Village CycleSport Show

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 11, 2011 at 10:21pm

We should have a group tweed wrench someday.  I'll bring my cotter press!

Comment by rb on August 11, 2011 at 9:33pm

I have to say that I am one of those folks that ignores the bottom brackets- it is beyond my Raleigh mechanical aptitude. I would be happy to provide some beers or whatever, if someone would like to show me the ropes. I would like to learn how to do that...

Comment by SlyRed on August 11, 2011 at 8:11pm

James is right, replacing the ball bearings is a cheap fix that will really pay off in the long run.

 

DO use a proper cotter press to remove your cranks.  Don't risk ruining the crank arms or the spindle.

 

I have a pair of brand new Schwalbe Delta Cruisers in creme that I bought for a project that's not going to happen.  Seems like everyone is sold out of them at the moment, so if you're interested PM me.

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 11, 2011 at 7:56pm

Awesome rb.  I hope you enjoy the bike.

 

If I were you I'd pull apart the BB and headset and regrease and reball them.  I've yet to see an older Raleigh that hadn't very recently been given a heavy tune up with these bearings in usable shape.  Most people just ignore them for decades.  Many haven't been cracked open since they rolled off the line in Nottingham.

 

The cost is negligible and it doesn't take long to do either job.  It's best though if you have a cotter press to work on the BB.  You just need 50 5/32" balls for the headset and 22 1/4" for the bottom bracket and a bit of grease.

Comment by rb on August 11, 2011 at 7:48pm

I just picked up that Raleigh referenced below. I think it is a 74. I had to borrow a truck and head to Wheeling The frame is straight, should be nice after some Schwalbes, a Brooks, some hangrips and some elbow grease. Psyched!

Comment by jen on August 11, 2011 at 2:05pm

great price for a his and her set!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/bik/2540615073.html

 

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 11, 2011 at 9:42am

I think you may be correct that the camera angle looking down on the non-driveside is what is bothering me.   It could very well be fine.

 

This picture does make it seem like the fender  (and tire) is much closer to the downtube than it should be looking at my own bike as a reference.

 

$100 is such a low price for a 23" Diamond-framed sports in such good cosmetic condition that I get an itchy feeling that something must be wrong with it ;)

 

Still, I bet it doesn't last long before someone snatches it up.  Mt. Prospect isn't even very far of a drive to go pick it up. 

Comment by Alan Lloyd on August 11, 2011 at 9:35am

I'm inclined to think that it is a poor camera angle, you get a better look in the larger image(s), either click on a picture or go here ...

http://bazaar-app.appspot.com/c?ct=zbi6dtJws/7K2SvczNYVjQ==&c=0

Comment by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 11, 2011 at 9:25am

But it does look to me like the fork is bent.  There really isn't  a good side shot but that one pic shows the fender way too close to the downtube IMHO.  

Could just be a trick of the lens.  A buyer should check for that fork very carefully and check for frame damage and ripples just behind the head tube lugs below the toptube and downube just in case. 

 

Even so, at $100 it is a darn good deal even f the fork is bent. 

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