1980 Raleigh ‘Denim’ Eighteen

[Survivor Bikes]

Evening all 😊
Day 1. On checking my inventory, I actually found 3 R18s, each in varying states of decay. For one reason or another I selected a ‘Denim’ variant made in Nottingham in October 1980 (according to the frame number). The AW hub is also stamped 1980.

So, I got it back to base and ‘tore it down’ (as an American might say). With the exception of the wheel assemblies, I dismantled it fully. The wheels are for a separate day; and I’ve got a problem or two to sort out there.

 

[EltonFrog]

Looking forward to seeing the progress. Btw, you’d make it easier for your reader if you click the ‘Full Image’ tab when you upload your photos.

 

[FrankCrank]

What's your general plan for the project?

 

[Survivor Bikes]

Hi FrankCrank, ideally I want to see it back on the road (or cycle path). It’s easily got another 40 years left in it. Just the thing for a style conscious ten-year-old who wants to stand out from the Generation Z crowd 😊. I’ll ‘restomod’ it with a custom finish, and replace or upgrade components where absolutely necessary. Later today I’ll begin getting the frame/forks/fenders back to bare naked steel. TTFN

 

[FrankCrank]

Hi FrankCrank, ideally I want to see it back on the road (or cycle path). It’s easily got another 40 years left in it. Just the thing for a style conscious ten-year-old who wants to stand out from the Generation Z crowd 😊. I’ll ‘restomod’ it with a custom finish, and replace or upgrade components where absolutely necessary. Later today I’ll begin getting the frame/forks/fenders back to bare naked steel. TTFN

Sounds good. Just beware of the Raleigh proprietary thread sizes on the BB and forks

 

[rogerzilla]

I remember them back in the day.

 

[Survivor Bikes]

Yep, the 26tpi that isn't even British Standard Cycle pitch! Good old Raleigh and their legacy tooling standards. Makes the job all the more interesting though :-)

 

[Survivor Bikes]

Day 2. I had a blast...

Wizzed everything with a polycarbide disc, then blasted it all with 80-120 grit aluminium oxide. Might have to reuse the existing wheel rims. I feel an acid bath coming on (to remove the chrome remnants).

 

[Survivor Bikes]

I'm thinking of coating the frame candy red, and using the early 70s ident graphic. Here is an artist's impression (wot I dun earlier):-

 

[Survivor Bikes]

And for the three guards.. hmm, metallic white. Or ivory.. or maybe solid white. Or whatever's left in the cupboard!

 

[Gunk]

Great project, looking forward to seeing how this develops.

 

[Survivor Bikes]

Day 3. Blood Red Candy...

So I started with the forks, just in case I didn't like the result. Stripping powder coat is arduous, so I like to start with the smallest part just in case. These forks were cleaned with acetone and baked in the curing oven in order to 'out-gas' any remaining contaminants (which could effect the coating).

Above are the forks now coated with a 'chrome' effect base coat. The upper portion is masked. The candy top coat is applied next...

...resulting in a subtly iridescent colour.

Above image shows the forks with the high temperature masking removed.

Above is the frame on its initial trip to the curing oven. Just like the forks, it was baked three times in total.

Here's the frame's chrome effect base coat.

And finally above; here is the coated frame, with some of the silicone plugs removed. Ten times tougher than paint, ready to work on as soon as its cooled to ambient temperature. Tomorrow I'll do the three guards in gloss white. TTFN

 

[Drago]

The Dibble wouldn't let me take my Cycling Proficiency on my Raleigh Chopper. They'd banned them for being able to take part because they were too unstable and dangerous. What a crock - when I crashed my chopper in 1976 I didn't break my pelvis that badly.

Anyway, this meant I had to do it on my sisters Raleigh Denim. Even worse, it had been adorned with flowery stickers. 45 years on I'm still traumatised by the experience.

 

[Survivor Bikes]

Haha, yes I remember choppers being demonised. Along with clackers and punk rock

I had a Raleigh Commando for my cycle proficiency. Not rubbing it in or anything...

 

[Drago]

I'm not sure a young boy going Commando was a wise idea in the seventies...

BTW, wasn't the Commando very close to being a Denim with fat tyres and a macho paint job?

Getting back on track, this is a fantastic project, beautiful attention to detail. I take it you're a powder coated by trade, and not just usings the oven while the wife is out doing the Avon?