1978 Raleigh Grifter Mk1 - A long resto thread.

[retrobiker]

here we go, got the dreaded cotter pins out, seat was also stuck but eventually it realeased

but handlebars...... had this in the past need some tips on how to release

dont say cut them because Mk1 forks are pretty hard to come by




rear wheel in all its glory

[7ast7reddie]

blimey mr retro thats in a state but when its finnished it will be all the more impressive good luck mate.

with re the bars my Metallic Red 78' we're stuck i let em soak with 3in1 penertrating oil put the wheel between me legs and got em moving by twisting the bars back an forth an they started to move.

the 76 i got today are stuck solid tho so might need soaking for a few days gently spray the oil on to the stem an let it work its way down an you might be lucky.

[retrobiker]

well tried to heat up the stem, threaded part thinking that would expand it, but no joy

tried to twist it and break the rust but all thats happening is the forks are twisting... so i am stuck for time being

rest of bike stand , bracket etc is out

need some more ideas or different approach

[retrobiker]

we posted at same time, might try and let it soak in oil for a few days or maybe even plusgas

[7ast7reddie]

its worth a go mate if you could get it onto the bench an get the top part of the forks the part with the thimbles it should'nt bend em then.

loads of soaking then if they wont budge try a timber through the bars with the forks clamped an brute force good luck mate.

[retrobiker]

been trying some chrome bits out, some are better than others

front wheel i reckon will come up pretty good, rear looks terrible but i can at least make it better

some test bits , really heavy rust with a bit of work not to bad

i have some spare parts so may have to use them

worst side of crank



bit of clean up... still needs a bit more but better

[tonyg1971]

defo better,i am betting some of it has gone to far mike,and you just may have to result in using your spares.but what can clean up and be saved is a bonus mate,after looking at the bike.

[tonyg1971]

think i might invest in some oxalic acid,i need something real good for the parts i have,and if it works its magic,then ill be happy.

[7ast7reddie]

here mike talk about brute force ive just had to use 12" pipe stilsons to get the top nut to move! i had to sit on the floor an put me foot on the stilsons and after a lot of grunting they started to move.

well the heat it generated by undoing it broke the nut it cracked open revealing the bars rusted solid to the forks!!

these old prepros dont want to come out

[retrobiker]

sure i can save the bike, some bits are ok some will have to replaced

not going to give up just yet but the bars are a real pain and considering cutting


top nut came undone by hand on mine strange eh?

but they are rusted in pretty good, its now sitting in oil so we shall see

cheers lads, got to decide wether a minter or a clean bike, as i like to use them a good rider will do for me

[Jason]

Doing well so far with the chrome work bud , bit time consuming but worth it in the end , you should build it as a cleaned up bike then decide if its a full resto you want , i think it will look great cleaned up

[hazchoppers]

looks far better already mate and that chrome is coming up well! well done and i hope you get the forks sorted

[andy the ebay guy]

up to now (touch wood) I have never lost any forks handlebars or seats from being stuck.
and the best thing in the world is time, everyone gets a bike and wants it stripped to pieces too quickly, if things are stuck use releasing oil and leave it, each day add a bit more so on and so on. make sure the stem bolt is loose and the expander nut has dropped, loosen the top nut and zip tye it with the lamp holder and then to the bars to keep them out the way, if they are not going to release or your in a hurry, try cleaning around the threads at the top of the forks, take out the stem bolt, seal both these areas then turn the bike upside down and pour diesel into the center hole in the forks, and again let it soak. if everything fails and your a bit impatient, loosen of the large fork nut all the way, remove the bearings from the top and bottom, then lift the frame to allow the forks to drop a couple of inches to reveal the part inside the head stock (you know the part thats out of sight) and saw it off here, then have them weilded back up after you releise the two parts, you may find it easyer to do it like this. ive never done this ive always just soak soak soak for days weeks or even months. good luck .
if releising oil dont work try vinegar it eats rust for fun ;D ;D ;D

[retrobiker]

no rush andy i have at least one other grifter i can use ;D

will try the vinegar

[retrobiker]

currently its tied up by the bars, and a bag of sand hanging from forks ... its not budging, been sat in vinegar all week end

any other tips ?