My Gran Sport (serial # RA 77104) is identical to Marc's. If you look at his photos, you'll see an unusually handsome Raleigh cottered crankset.
Mine is still in excellent condition considering what it went through. I'd like to re-use it. Does anyone know what type of cotter pin it takes and where they are available?
The old ones were frozen, so I drilled them out. I tried removing them with a heavy RECORD 6" C-clamp, after first soaking them in daily doses of WD-40 for a month. They didn't budge. The body of the C-Clamp however, took a bend.
Your help is, as always, much appreciated.
Amir Avitzur Ramat-Gan, Israel
BTW: Are lamps that fit on the braze-on on the fork still available?
> Well I picked this one up on ebay and picked it up locally since the
seller was in a suburb near here in chicago. It's a great bike but it's just
too big for me, I thought I could swing it but I can't. The seller had it
listed as a 1959 raleigh gran sport but I can't confirm that date. Here are
some pics I took:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
>
> and here is the original listing:
http://ebay.com/
>
> There are some numbers on the bottom of the bottom bracket:
> RA
> 31011
>
> U
> (Y/9?)136(J?)
>
> The first group is very readable the second is not. I tried to type them
exactly as they appear, the RA is above the numbers and not part of the same
line. In the second group, the U is above the rest and I can't make out the
first symbol, it really looks like a circle with a vertical line coming of
the bottom of it. Maybe one of you guys can date this.
>
> The bike has campagnolo gran sport derailleurs. The rear does not have a
patent date but this is on the back plate: "Patent Campagnolo DA14A26 Denti"
I"m not sure if you can date it with this info.
>
> Here are the specs on the rest of the bike: dunlop special lightweight
rims laced to racelite hubs. The frame measures as follows: seat tube c-t 23
1/2 inches, top tube c-c 22 inches. The brakes levers are GB Superhood
Rapide annodized in red, the left lever has faded a bit. They have half
hoods, which are in fair condition. The calipers are GB Coureur 66
centerpulls. The handlebars are GB with the red annodized center sleeve. The
cranks have sir raleigh marked on them as well as the kick stand. The bottom
bracket also has an oiler cap.
>
> It also has a lenton generator light set which does not look period
correct. It does however have the braze on light mount on the front fork.
The bike did come with the original brooks swallow saddle, I have removed it
and would like to keep it. It is supple but cracked. I will include another
leather saddle if you'd like one. If you really want the swallow perhaps we
could work something out.
>
> The paint is in good shape, some scratches but it still shines nicely.
Most of the decals are in nice shape as well. Chrome is good but could use
some polishing. The bike is a little dirty, the previous owner went a little
crazy with oil on the change and it got on the bike, in my car, on my
clothes, etc.
>
> I'm not looking to turn a profit on this bike I just want what i paid for
it which if you went to the ebay link is 350.00. shipping of course would be
extra and my zip code is 60625 if you want to get a quote. I would prefer
paypal for this transaction.
>
> I would also conisder a trade or a trade and cash. I currently need some
campy nuovo record brake hoods, a rear NR brake caliper but I would'nt mind
a set as I could use the front for my raleigh track bike. I also need some
700C wolber super champion clincher wheels with NR hubs, a brooks pro
saddle, campy dust caps and a campy seat post binder bolt.
>
> I'm always interested in bicycles as well, of course I have a particular
love for raleighs.
>
> Marc Garcia
> chicago IL