1979 Raleigh Grifter in Red - Barn find

[roadace]

ive just got hold of this old clunker thats been sat idle in a barn not far from where i work, its been sat in a barn, unused for the best part of 30 years and the original owner only used it for about a year when it was new, it was then laid up and hasnt seen the light of day since 1980, the paint and decals are totally shot at due to the damp atmosphere but ive only got it to use in winter on the trails around where i live so its not going to matter what it looks like but it rides like a dream ;D one thing that is odd though is the fact it has Mk1 bars and seat plus theres no extra ring around the headtube, the owner says thats how the bike came from the dealer and its never had new parts so i reckon this is a very early Mk2 ;D

[griftermucca]

looks a nice bike collin, nice find

[roadace]

Jul 25, 2011 20:25:49 GMT @retrobiker said:

interesting bike

Mk1 frame, seat, looks like its got the start of the funneling problem

clean up and ride then ?

see its been used for the motorbike sound as well

i will just leave as is and ride it as an old clunker, i know that if i restore it that i wont use it in the mud ;D

[andy the ebay guy]

them bars look wide enough to be Mk1's, cool very interesting bike, could be a very rare oddity, might be worth the restore

[andy the ebay guy]

sorry ave just noticed when read again, you sait Mk1 bars

[hazchoppers]

looks alright mate and will look better with a good clean.. a rare bike ;D

[tonyg1971]

what an ace find col.and a stars aswell very nice.i,ve got to find 1 of these damn barns,well done col,i also have a feeling temptation might get the best of you,and you end up restoring it.

[mt76]

Very interesting Mk2 mate

[Supergrip]

I've never seen a Mk2 with no extra ring on before Colin. A very rare little number. Go on clean it. I know you want to. .

[griftermucca]

go on make it lovely

[tonyg1971]

hey col,you know when i said i reckon you would be tempted in the end,to do it up,well you now got the gang on ya back to do it aswell...so im now thinking have you really got a choice????or are you determined to keep this like it is and just a rider?decisions decisions col.

[leewarby]

nice find col
just give it a clean ;Dand keep it as it is ;D
nice and orginial ;D ;D

[roadace]

its a march 79 so that makes it very early, i cant believe that i get an old clunker to abuse and it turns out to be one of the first Mk2s, i guess a should restore it to its former glory now

[Supergrip]

Your blessed with Grifter luck Colin. Even when you want a ratty to smoke round on you end up with a rare bike.

Never seen one that early before ;D

[chrisgrifter]

WHERE IS THE SUPPORT RING GONE ??