My Raleigh Bike. The Start.

[mikeymustard]

I have no experience of the other Brooks tapes but the leather tape I have had on and off my bike several times and I’m pleased with it, very hard wearing.

I agree, it's a lot of spuds upfront but it'll last years!
I bought some hand-cut leather tape off a guy on eBay a while back. He's run out now, I wish I'd bought a load when I had the chance. It wasn't as well finished as Brooks but I quite like its homespun looks. Also wish I'd asked him how he cut it now too, must've taken a steady hand!

 

[carpenter]

Your mentioning "hand cut" reminded me about this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30mm-x-1...199628?hash=item2f28d040cc:g:rRQAAOSwyiFb4cvo

I found it just before I splashed out about £30 on some Brooks leather tape, is it similar to what you bought? I was worried about thinning the edges for a neat overlap with the hand cut leather, so didn't go ahead.

 

[Boon 51]

Brown bar tape and a brown Brooks saddle would finish the bike off nicely.

 

[carpenter]

Agree completely about keeping it brown.

Out of era but cloth tape would be another possibility:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-2-RO...h=item5691d53ba0:g:t5oAAOSwstJZPlyt:rk:1:pf:1

 

[Boon 51]

I have just fitted the 105 brake calipers to the bike, the front caliper has no washer between the caliper and and the frame should I put one in or not ?

 

[biggs682]

I have just fitted the 105 brake calipers to the bike, the front caliper has no washer between the caliper and and the frame should I put one in or not ?

Yes if one came off you must and one of serrated ones

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/diacompe-gc604-serrated-brake-washer/

 

[Boon 51]

Yes if one came off you must and one of serrated ones

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brakes/diacompe-gc604-serrated-brake-washer/

Yes I was sure it needed one.. Ta.

 

[mikeymustard]

Agree completely about keeping it brown.

Out of era but cloth tape would be another possibility:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-2-RO...h=item5691d53ba0:g:t5oAAOSwstJZPlyt:rk:1:pf:1

I can't search far back on my phone but I think that's the guy. He hasn't got the chestnut (nice reddish brown) that I put on my equilibrium though

Edit: sorry, wrong post quoted, I was still at work at the time

 

[Boon 51]

I can't search far back on my phone but I think that's the guy. He hasn't got the chestnut (nice reddish brown) that I put on my equilibrium though View attachment 448520

Edit: sorry, wrong post quoted, I was still at work at the time

The brown tape is nice to look at.

 

[Boon 51]

Off the cuff question.
I have found nearly all my spanners don't fit the bike properly as they are all old sizes.. where can I get some proper old size spanners from?

 

[carpenter]

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/prod...VipztCh0DZw8WEAQYASABEgJeL_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Gravity Aided]

The leather in question looks like upholstery leather, just look around for someplace where an old couch is being thrown out. That's what I've done in the past. I've been known to hop out of the car with a carpet knife and skin the back of an old leather couch in about 30 seconds. I live in a university town, so around about the end of May I can choose color, pretty much.

 

[Boon 51]

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/1848049/?grossPrice=Y&cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3AgooglePLA_UK_EN_ToolsSpanners_And_Sockets|Spanner_SetsPRODUCT_GROUP&matchtype=&pla-492814522927&s_kwcid=AL!7457!3!243856857536!!!g!492814522927!&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi__G-YOE4AIVipztCh0DZw8WEAQYASABEgJeL_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They look ok..

 

[mikeymustard]

The leather in question looks like upholstery leather, just look around for someplace where an old couch is being thrown out. That's what I've done in the past. I've been known to hop out of the car with a carpet knife and skin the back of an old leather couch in about 30 seconds. I live in a university town, so around about the end of May I can choose color, pretty much.

The 21st century hunter gatherer

 

[raleighnut]

They look ok..

The biggest one is 11mm - 7/16ths, that's about the only one you'll use, possibly the 3/8ths too.