Raleigh Grifter Mk1 restoration in OZ!

[griftn]

Ok cool, I think I got this photo bucket thing happening . So guys this is my Mk1 that I recently got after 30 odd years without my old one. It`s almost completed so I will post pics as I go. Also a few old school pics from back in the day too. 

[griftn]

Some more pics before starting.









Away we go...i`ve started by stripping down to this stage, rubbing back with 400 grit, hand painting over the original livery and polishing metal parts.



Handle bars painted in gloss black and everything masked.



Hit with gold base coat.



The color i`ve chosen, looks very close to original to me and has gold metallic.




Red on!



Close up showing gold metallic.



Removed all masking and hit livery and frame with clear coat. Also can see painted black gloss bars. That`s about all the pics I have at this stage. Not far from completion now. Will keep you posted. 

[stefb78]

Looking good buddy

[raleighdaz]

Very nice bud :-) buy why put the stickers on before painting ? You could of put them on after the red the clear coat over the top of them ;-)

[4737carling]

That's some intricate masking! why didn't you remove all the parts before painting? and like Daz said I'm a bit confused with applying the decals first! Don't take it the wrong way mate I'm just asking. great job on the paintwork so far.

[griftn]

Thanks for the comments guys, but I tell ya those arn`t stickers . I think i`ll take that as a compliment . You see for what I was wanting to achieve I couldn`t justify paying half of what I payed for the bike for a sticker set. So instead, using the worn original livery as a guide, I had to hand paint over them first, then mask, hit with color, remove masking, then hit the whole lot with clear to bring up the finish and to protect as well . Painstaking, but I think the Grifter appreciates the extra effort . As for removing the rest of the parts - they just didn`t want to come off easily  so I chose to leave them on instead of causing unnecessary damage. Cheers guys.  

[gingerrich76]

Good work.
I too have broken a couple bits that were a pain remove... should of just left alone sometimes :-)

[stefb78]

Mar 10, 2014 3:08:13 GMT griftn said:

Thanks for the comments guys, but I tell ya those arn`t stickers . I think i`ll take that as a compliment . You see for what I was wanting to achieve I couldn`t justify paying half of what I payed for the bike for a sticker set. So instead, using the worn original livery as a guide, I had to hand paint over them first, then mask, hit with color, remove masking, then hit the whole lot with clear to bring up the finish and to protect as well . Painstaking, but I think the Grifter appreciates the extra effort . As for removing the rest of the parts - they just didn`t want to come off easily  so I chose to leave them on instead of causing unnecessary damage. Cheers guys.  

You must be a very patient person but well done

[hazchoppers]

Wow! Sounds hard work but looks great

[raleighdaz]

Well all I can say is well done bud they look great :-)

[4737carling]

I can understand the chain wheel if the cotter pins are stuck but the chain is really easy to remove! I'm looking forward to seeing close up pictures of the frame and decals.

[griftn]

Thanks guys. The bike is now completed  to a standard to which i`m happy with. It looks like my grip shifter is missing the internals , so for now I will leave it as is and get some enjoyment out of the bike. If anyone knows where I can get the internals please let me know. I will post some completed pics soon. Thanks again.

[4737carling]

I can't see from the picture if the metal ring is still inside the twistgrip, could you post a close up pic of the twistgrip taken apart. Inside should be a small spring, ball bearing and metal ring. (plus the end of the gear cable)

[griftn]

It`s all missing carling , I saw what`s supposed to be in there on this forum somewhere. Anyway, I will attend to it at a later stage. Hopefully can post some completed pics soon.

[griftn]

Top see the completed Grifter in full checkout "READERS RIDES".  Here`s a few close up pics of the Grifter for here.

I`m happy, and I think the Grifter is too .