1989 Raleigh Elan

[mikeymustard]

Picked this up today. It seems to be original apart from the seat stem bolt and the saddle (which should be grey suede-like); it even has the original bar tape - the green at the bottom isn't algae but a spotty effect to match the paintwork, which is almost totally scratch free! New cables and a clean and polish and job's a good'un

I'm really not sure about that spotty paint finish but it's growing on me [like algae]

 

[raleighnut]

Nice

 

[biggs682]

@mikeymustard thats nice , turn the quick releases's around so levers are on the non drive side

 

[steve50]

Nice, I like that.

 

[further]

turn the quick releases's around so levers are on the non drive side

Why

 

[Illaveago]

Why

One reason is if you were to knock them against anything whilst you were cycling they would come undone.

 

[mjr]

One reason is if you were to knock them against anything whilst you were cycling they would come undone.

That's more to do with which way the levers are pointing. I think the reason for non-drive-side is so that there's less for them to hit if they do open... but I may have misremembered.

 

[mikeymustard]

I shall do that when I take the wheels off, I've got some skinny butt 20mm tyres on another set of wheels that would suit this boy racer bike a treat. CoincIdentally I had an Elan frame delivered to me yesterday while I was out picking this up and that's in pretty much the same condition too

 

[biggs682]

Why

Main reason is that it's easier to slip rear wheel in if the lever is on the non drive side I find

 

[further]

Main reason is that it's easier to slip rear wheel in if the lever is on the non drive side I find

That makes sense for the rear but does it matter on the front.

 

[biggs682]

That makes sense for the rear but does it matter on the front.

Just keeps it looking equal for us with OCD

 

[Tony Raynor]

Lol @biggs682 good job you don't have CDO. It's like OCD but the letters are now alphabetical.

 

[mikeymustard]

I quite like the front wheel on the opposite side to the back - it drives my friend bonkers!

 

[mikeymustard]

Ok quick question regarding the quick release: When I took off the one at the back the lever fell off, it appears there should be a retaining clip on it judging by the groove, is this something that can be sourced from somewhere or am I looking at a complete new skewer?

 

[Tony Raynor]

Depends, the old maillard ones had a small nut and bolt. Post a picture as I may have one to match that you could have.