1978 Raleigh Grifter Mk1 in Steel Blue by Tadpole

[hotrodzombie]

Posted 25/09/2010 01:06:41 AM by Tadpole

Here is the Blue Mk1 i got for £31 off ebay this week it took a 4 hr drive to pick it up but worth it i think
This is how i got hold of it as you can see from the pics its not in a good way.













I have only given it a good clean and made sure the seat can move which it did with no probs at all i don't think the bike had a lot of use by the condition of the bits apart from the missing twist grip.











I am going to fit the twist grip and chine guard from my custom for now.
The only prob i am having is the more i clean it up the more i like the survivor look to the bike

The more i clean off 32 years of crud the better it is looking i have put a twist grip back on and run some cutting compound over the frame i am going to have a go with the wheels tonight.
I did go for a short ride to test the gears out and all 3 work fine and change up and down with a nice smooth action.










its going to be a rolling resto with the frame and forks last i will keep you all posted 

I had some time last night after getting back from the inlaws to polish up the wheels 99% of the rust was just surface there is some pitting in the chrome but i can live with that for now.
The front wheel had no R nuts on but i found some good ones in my parts bin then it was time to fit the chine guard from my custom on which looks like its been there for years.

The only prob i have found is the handle bars are stuck in the forks the long bolt and base nut are free so i am giving it a good soak in wd 40 for now.

Stripping down the brakes is next on the list if i get time this week before the show i am going to at the weekend down in Brighton

Here's the pics of the wheels just need the sun to come out to get some better pics of her






You can just see in this pic that my pedal is a bit bent but i am sure my dad can sort it for me just like the good old days 




I even took it for a ride to the shops tonight...




I always take off The reflectors on my bikes have done all my life but for this i need to find one and fit it  i just think the grifter looks better with one

she is looking a lot better now after one more polish up I took it for a short ride tonight and took some more pics of it
i have put a set of pedals on it now due to one of the originals being bent.










Here's some i have had a play with

I still need to free up the handle bars and get a reflector to fit on seat.