1986 Dawes Ranger

[sparkybhp]

Just got back from collecting this, I think I beat someone else to it judging by what the seller said. So, to start off, if that was you - sorry..

It was from a relative of the original owner who was clearing the house due to bereavement. I basically offered to take everything bike related (and boy am I glad I did). Here’s the other bits:

The orange/silver bike is a complete unknown (and it’ll get its own thread so I can figure out what it is), but the reason I’m glad I grabbed the lot is: the Dawes front wheel was fitted to the mystery bike. I’d have been gutted if I got home and realised that too late..
Anyway, the Dawes is in incredible condition for the age. My plan is to get it back on its wheels and then give it a thorough wash as it was sat in a lock up garage for looks like ages.
Some more pics before progress begins:

 

[The History Man]

Some lovely original bits for you to clean up.

 

[greencat]

Love a Dawes Ranger. That looks the same colour/model/size as the one I had. Only let it go when the frame broke. Beautiful condition.

 

[doctor-bond]

Great score: those adjustable layback posts are insane and so quirky cool. & long chainstays are no compromise - people are starting g to get into them now. Check out Rivendell. And high flange hubs …. Suntour …. See the Mountech entry on Disraeli gears - prolly the best deraileur but let down by the overly complicated tensioned jockey wheel.

All sorts of good stuff going on.

 

[JCS]

nice haul!

How long are the chain stays on the Ranger?

 

[Y282]

That Dawes is an amazing save. IIRC didn't these have those old bomb proof concave rims, Weinmann I think?

Be interested to see what the other one is too. Top stuff

 

[The History Man]

Looooooooooooooooong.

 

[JCS]

Looooooooooooooooong.


View attachment 903740

Rear wheel is in a different postcode to the front

Must be very comfortable to ride. Looks like a good tourer.

 

[greencat]

Very comfortable to ride, and pretty stable on downhills (at least in comparison to bikes of the early 90s). The forks were quite flexy under braking. I don't know that it would suit me nowadays - I used to have the saddle slammed right back to get a pretty stretched out position and help with off road hill climbing.