Raleigh Equipe

[wheresthetorch]

Just managed to pick this up on eBay for what feels like a very good price.

Same model I had as a schoolboy in the 1980s - I loved that bike and regretted getting rid of it (sadly for a crude, catalogue MTB - the folly of youth).

Can't wait to pick it up! Only fault listed is that the seat post is stuck, so I may be after some advice if WD-40 Penetrant and brute force let me down!

 

[classic33]

Don't forget some cheap coke.

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

Lovely buy, had one as a kid myself. Great bike!

 

[wheresthetorch]

Don't some cheap coke.

Eh?

 

[Cycleops]

Wish you luck with the seat post. You might try a slide hammer.

 

[classic33]

Eh?

I missed "forget" out.
Use it to help free the seat post.

 

[Drago]

Don't forget some cheap coke.

Yeah, he'll need to sniff a few lines before tackling that seat post.

 

[wheresthetorch]

I missed "forget" out.
Use it to help free the seat post.

Ah OK, I'll give it a try. Thanks .

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Reckon you did OK with that for £33. I had an all-steel Raleigh Arena when I was a youngster, but I outgrew it so it was replaced by a larger 3 speed roadster to ride to work on before I was old enough to drive a car.
Go easy with the seatpost removal and try to avoid drastic methods that do damage. Even if it takes a few weeks of repeated spraying, it's better to just use penetrating fluid rather than anything corrosive. Get a decent size rubber mallet and you can clout the top part of the seat tube to help break the seal without marking the frame like you would with a steel hammer. Patience is a virtue when it comes to unsticking stuck things. Give it plenty of time and don't get silly with it unless all else fails.

 

[wheresthetorch]

Reckon you did OK with that for £33. I had an all-steel Raleigh Arena when I was a youngster, but I outgrew it so it was replaced by a larger 3 speed roadster to ride to work on before I was old enough to drive a car.
Go easy with the seatpost removal and try to avoid drastic methods that do damage. Even if it takes a few weeks of repeated spraying, it's better to just use penetrating fluid rather than anything corrosive. Get a decent size rubber mallet and you can clout the top part of the seat tube to help break the seal without marking the frame like you would with a steel hammer. Patience is a virtue when it comes to unsticking stuck things. Give it plenty of time and don't get silly with it unless all else fails.

Helpful advice - thank you.

 

[wheresthetorch]

Eventually got the seatpost out. "Shorty" mudguards fitted, brakes and gears adjusted, bottom bracket bearings regreased and we were good to go.

Shakedown ride to the beach went well - nothing fell off! Bit of a rattle from the front mudguard but a discreet piece of packing fixed that. Overall, pretty pleased with it!