Would this Dawes be worth saving?

[glasgowcyclist]

I have the opportunity to save this bike from landfill and I'm wondering if anyone can advise whether it's worth keeping as a forthcoming winter project. Can anyone date it? Looks like '80s to me...

Nothing is known about it, it's been found in an old shed that's being torn down by new resident.
(Click for full size pic)

 

[Oldfentiger]

Definitely worth saving.
Apparently 531 tubing, and the paintwork looks in good nick.
No idea of date, but prolly early 90's

 

[T4tomo]

defo worth saving but not worth spending a fortune on. Id say mid 80s, is it a 5 speed block? Looks like it needs a new chain and big thighs.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I've never tackled an old restoration before. Any idea of costs to make it nice again? I'm not interested in doing it up to sell for profit, purely for the fun of it.

A couple of more shots:

 

[Rooster1]

100% saveable

 

[Soltydog]

A couple of years ago I got an old Raleigh & converted it to single speed, here's my costs to give you an idea
bars £26.00
brake levers £17.25
bar tape £10.99
stem £11.94
brakes £21.06
chain £7.49
seatpost £12.98
Wheels £145.00
Pedals £29.99
cranks £32.50
cables £2.00
bb £15.00
seat post bolt £2.79
headset £14.99
cable outr £7.99
mudguards £19.94
bottle cages £8.98
bottle bracket £12.59
tyres £43.11
shot blasting £15.00
powder coating £20.00

Some of these costs you probably won't need, but I replaced every part on the bike, so its quite a bit & more than I thought it would cost before I started out

edit - ps it looks a bit big for you, & I'm in the mood for another 'project'

 

[Beebo]

@biggs682 is the man to ask.

I’m sure he can give some advice. But as others have said 531 is the top end for standard steel tubing before you get into the specialist stuff.

 

[Lavender Rose]

I would only be concerned with the frame being rusty in honesty, would be lovely to see it fully restored. I bet there are many of these bikes probably all over the UK, completelty unloved and in need of rehoming.....

 

[southcoast]

Yes well worth saving, the main frame tubes are 531 and those suntour gears were really good.

 

[Drago]

Aye laddie, for what it would cost to get that straight it's definitely worth it.

When I revived the Claud last year new tyres, choobs, cables, chain and tape came to just under £50, which was a bargain considering how buttery smooth it rides.

 

[T4tomo]

You definatley need to elbow grease for rust removal, and as a minimum chain, all cable inners and prob outers, tyres, tubes, hood covers, bar tape. Hopefully wheels are true and don't need relacing

 

[Lonestar]

 

[roadrash]

Are you mad , of course it isn't worth saving, send it to me and I will dispose of it for you....honest...

 

[biggs682]

Thanks @Beebo

@glasgowcyclist i would say yes it's worth restoring dependent on what you mean by restoring , i would do an oily rag resto ie t cut and polish original paintwork and check for any excessive rust . And check that both seat post and handlebar stem are both free to move and adjust once pinch bolts released .

Then re build with new grease on all bearings along with new cables , tyres and tubes .

oh and pictures as you go along please

 

[glasgowcyclist]

i would say yes it's worth restoring dependent on what you mean by restoring ,

I don't mean a cheque book restoration, that's for sure!

I'm more interested in seeing *if* I can do it, and can I do it to a reasonable standard that would satisfy me. I'm not a mechanic and, aside from minor fettling, would generally let my LBS do anything that needed better tools or knowledge than I have.

I would like to keep it as close to original as possible though.

Are you able to identify the model or the approximate year of the bike from the photos above @biggs682 ?