You reminded my of my first "10 speed", 1963 J C Higgins. I finished high school in 1964 and took the Puch made bike on a ill fated ride across the USA. Made it to Denver and ran out of money. Came home to be drafted into the Army. Not a bad bike for $50. The bike, and a shot of me on the ride.
http://picasaweb.google.com/
Jim Merz Big Sur CA
On Sun, Jun 13, 2010 at 6:08 PM, Harvey Sachs <hmsachs@verizon.net> wrote:
>
> Bill-
> If what you have is the Gran Prix that slotted between the Record and the
> SuperCourse way back when (60s and 70s), then you have an interesting
> novelty and curiosity, in my opinion. As I recall that Gran Prix, it was
> pretty heavy (seamed steel tubing) with pretty low-end parts. So, if it were
> mine I might hang it on a wall as a conversation-starter.
>
> In some respects it reminds me of the novelty bikes in my fleet,
> particularly the '59 JC Higgins and almost identical 60s Sears Ted Williams
> Sport Racing. decent but not exceptional seamed tubing, but some nice
> components for the day: Campy Gran Sport and Record derailleurs,
> respectively, with excellent Weinmann components. If one of them hadn't been
> my first 10-speed, I'm sure I wouldn't keep either of them. For me, it's
> about the nostalgia value.
>
> In this sense, you're totally free to entertain yourself with this 'un. As
> with all the others, really. Have fun with it, and ignore this message if
> you have a different Gran Prix, about which I am ignoramabus.
>
> harvey sachs
> mcLean va
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Bill Koonce wrote:
> My nickel or chrome plated frame was identified as a Raleigh Grand Prix
> thanks to Don Gilles. The Bocama lugs are spot on as is the fork rake, frame
> geometry and wrap around seat lug.
>
> Still, the lack of any serial number that means anything to anyone is
> puzzling. I'm still curious about the bike being all plated because the
> Grand Prix was never offered to the public in that finish.
>
> And now the big question? What to do with it? Should I re-plate it back to
> the original finish? Keep the lugs chrome and paint the tubes? Leave it "as
> is" and not bother because the Grand Prix's aren't that special? Dip it
> first to get rid of any rust and then frame save it?
>
> Those with experience with Seattle restoration sources...please chime in!