My Courier rebuild

[ianpallen]

This is my Raleigh Courier, 23" frame, 26" wheels, 3 speed bike

I have stripped it and it is now in bits




The headset and the bottom bracket has thick brown grease on the races and bearings.

I have cleaned the bearings and found they are all in very good condition as are the races. I have used white Lithium grease. I have started to rebuild but I am waiting for a new bike repair stand to arrive to carry on. I am sick of the bike falling over when I try to do something to it as I have nowhere to secure it except an engineers vice, but I dont want to damage the bike.
I am waiting for some alloy wheels to be delivered tomorrow. The rear will be a single speed freewheel. The original chrome steel wheels are a little rusty but I want the bike a bit lighter.
More pics to follow as I rebuild.
The frame has come up very nice with a clean with wd40. When I get hte work stand, I will also polish the frame with mer car polish.

 

[raleighnut]

I've got one almost identical as my next project and the plan is almost the same but with one difference. I plan on having an alternative rear wheel as well based on the 3 speed SA hub but with an alloy 700c rim as well as the single speed. (I reckon 10-15 mins. to swap wheels/remove shifter lever and cable)
I've tried 700c wheels and they just fit on those brakes but there are some short reach Weinmann calipers hanging up in the shed I'm gonna use, just need to get over the broken femur and get back to earning some dosh.
BTW its nice to see a Leedhams transfer still on it, they were the most sarcastic bunch of to$$ers in a bike shop I've ever come across but when they went it gave a massive boost to all the other shops. (I've got a Carlton Clubman and a Raleigh superEquipe [the red one] from there both of which have the transfers on slightly skewif, makes me laugh every time I look at them)

 

[ianpallen]

I've got one almost identical as my next project and the plan is almost the same but with one difference. I plan on having an alternative rear wheel as well based on the 3 speed SA hub but with an alloy 700c rim as well as the single speed. (I reckon 10-15 mins. to swap wheels/remove shifter lever and cable)
I've tried 700c wheels and they just fit on those brakes but there are some short reach Weinmann calipers hanging up in the shed I'm gonna use, just need to get over the broken femur and get back to earning some dosh.
BTW its nice to see a Leedhams transfer still on it, they were the most sarcastic bunch of to$$ers in a bike shop I've ever come across but when they went it gave a massive boost to all the other shops. (I've got a Carlton Clubman and a Raleigh superEquipe [the red one] from there both of which have the transfers on slightly skewif, makes me laugh every time I look at them)

Hi, Thanks for the welcome. I have had about three vintage bikes with the leedhams sticker on them. I never knew the shop. I lived the wrong side of Leicester. There were two local shops to me, one was Bones Cycles and there was a fave one that I think was called Greenlane Cycles. They were cheaper than Bones but closed down first.

My courier has the 3 speed SA wheel, but I was thinking of turning the bike into a single speed racer. I am now going to restore it but with alloy wheels. I bought a set of Shimano Tiagra brakes for it but the are too small for them. I think they will do 700c wheels. I have a 27 x 1 1/4 alloy front wheel but no back wheel yet. I might put 27's or 700's on it one day. I was going to leave the mudguards, chainguard and rear rack off for less weight, but I have been convinced to 'keep it as is and restore' it. I do like the look of the bike but hate the position of the handlebars as they should be.
Would be great to see your project one getting done. My one is a 1986 bike and in very good condition for its age.

 

[raleighnut]

27 inch wheels probably won't fit but 700c will, if you are still that side of town John at Bob Warner Cycles is probably your best bet for bits.

 

[ianpallen]

Never been to it before. I have passed it by once and forgot it was there. It is where the diving shop was. I have one nearer to me but I dont think it is as good as there or the large bike shops. They are getting less in leicester really. Or I just dont know where they all are.

I thought 27" were just a bit smaller than 700c. I prefer 700c as there are more about, and tyres are easier to get. I think this bike will be built then sold as it is a little bit too tall for me. It is a 23" frame. With the saddle at its lowest, I can only just touch the floor when sitting on the saddle. 700c's will make it a little taller. lol.

 

[raleighnut]

700c are in between 26" and 27", have a look at @Retro Raleighs/Sheldon Brown for sizing charts and also note that 26 inch MTB tyres are a different size and will not fit 26x1 3/8 rims. If you plan on not keeping the bike then I wouldn't spend anything on it as its only worth about £100 in 'as new' condition but they are a lovely riding frame, if a bit heavy. Neither are they a vintage bike (mine cost a tenner and was rideable)
Bob Warner Cycles are on Sparkenhoe St opposite the old Highfields Workshop building where they moved to in the 70s but I don't know about a diving shop anywhere near.

 

[ianpallen]

Thanks. I know MTB tyres are a different size from 26 x 1 3/8. I thought 700c was just over 27 but under 28. Sizes are confusing these days. lol.
Sparkenhoe St is where the diving shop is. It is a large shop on the left as going into town. before Bob Warner Cycles. I will have to visit Bob Warners one day. I do most of my shopping on line these days.
I like this bike of mine but it is a little too big. lol. I might just keep it stashed in my shed and use it now and again. I would like to build a racer again one day.

 

[ianpallen]

Here is an update on my courier.
I have got a pair of alloy wheels and put a 16T on the rear. I just need to build everything back on it. It has a new chain as well.



The handlebars will do for now. They are the original and I prefer them in the upright position.