First Project- Raleigh Esprit

[Valvoltec]

Hi,Not a concours rebuild but a worthwhile winter bike/daily hack/commuter
I have been looking for a road bike [with not much budget] for a few weeks
I then found my self looking at a ladies MBK Mistral with 700c wheelset on ebay and won it for a fiver.
Then a day or so later I found a Raleigh Esprit also on ebay.
Its a tidy old bike but the original wheels are shot.

Today I set about servicing the Esprit,swapped in the alloy wheels,repacked the head bearings,greased the seat post,rebuilt the brakes.
The donor bike has provided nearly all of the bits,most of its consumables tyres, brake blocks are excellent.
A little problem with the rear jockey wheels to sort,and a set of lights and we are ready to ride.
I am really looking forward to riding this,I outgrew my last 12 speed racer.My brother gave me a Raleigh Record a few years later,but I gave it a mate who needed transport after his car was stolen.
I will add a picture or two once its had a good polish.
Sean

 

[Valvoltec]

I finished the jobs had a few rides round the block,tweaked the seat and bars.Still some more cleaning and polishing to do but we all went a pedal round this afternoon.The bike rides nice and everything works too.I took a few pictures as promised!

screenshot pc

 

[biggs682]

looks good , enjoy it

 

[rover75]

Nice looking bike and a good job done on your resto.

 

[juice]

Cool bike! Your description allows me to wish that my newly bought Raleigh Scorpio will ride as nice as yours.

 

[rover75]

I have a Scorpio. Purple and silver. Heavy metal but a good solid bike that I've had from new circa 1993.

 

[Maca]

Love it, takes me back to. I had one of these when they were new it was my replacement for the peugeot that was nicked from my garden.

It was also the bike that got me into it all seriously, I had the frame repainted and fitted it with a full 105 group set and other nice bits. It was always heavier than my mates bikes but it rode like a dream.