New member, advice, and if this is wrongly posted...go easy

[PabloRoberts]

Evening all,

Firstly, I'd like to say thanks to everyone on here. I've loved looking at your beautiful bikes, and reading the passion you have for them.

Recently bought a racer after not having owned one in twenty years (since I was 15) and caught the bug. Bit of an obsessive personality so now I can add retro road bikes to my ridiculous collections (70's and 80's Seiko watches, camera equipment with old lenses, the list is endless...)

I picked up a spanking Raleigh Corsa 531 off Ebay from a guy in his 60's who had bought it for two triathlons, and then it had sat there in his inside dining room for the next 30 years until I picked it up off him for a pittance...

...the thing is...it's lovely, but it didn't feel...well...like it was mine. So I decided the only option was to build or restore one. Being obsessive, I've dipped in and out of forums, spent hours in a dark room reading about butted tubes, whippy frames, and other riders loves and I decided that I'd buy a frame and lovingly restore it so I'd genuinely love it.

I've bought a Peugeot Vitus 980 in disrepair, for the sum of £100 (I know I've overpaid slightly) and I'm going to have it blasted, powder coated and laquered.

If you were I, and being the wonderful knowledgeable people I know you are, how would you go about turning this into a ride to be proud of?

I've also pulled the trigger on a Ribble 653 frame (photos also attached) but I fear it may be slightly too large for me (5'11, 33 inside leg) as I think 56cm is about right, 57cm at a push, but the frame is 58cm. I was going to cannabalise the Raleigh and swap the parts straight on. Is that heresy?

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Looks like you have picked up some lovely rides there, although I can only see a picture of the Peugeot, personally if the Raleigh is as good as you say I would try advertising it on here before splitting it, The Peugeot is well worth a respray and with a Vitus frame not overpriced. Welcome to the insanity that is Retrobike, you might also like to take a look in the other hobbies section below as well

 

[PabloRoberts]

Re:

I've had a bit of difficulty posting photos....pretty restrictive quality limits...hopefully the rest are up now.

Thanks for replying, genuinely appreciated!! Glad I didn't overpay. The Peugeot came with wheels on Mavic M234 rims as well, which for the life of me I'm having a struggle finding out on Google if they're quality items. i've got a set of MA40's which I could swap on (my ebay addiction meant I started pulling the trigger on bits before I was settled)

Would you restore it to an original Peugeot colourset?

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Yes I would as I personally like the colour, looks like Shimano 105/600 parts on it too nice and easy to replace or source spares for, The rims are new on me too could be a 'Touring' rim, are they eyeletted/double wall :?: Also Mavic don't really make a poor rim

The Raleigh looks like it is US market one, what does the front badge say :?:

I would suggest this might be a plan, use the parts off the 'Pug' on the Ribble while you get the frame re-finished, that will give you time to plan the Ribble build, while giving you a serviceable bike to ride

 

[PabloRoberts]

Re:

I think the Pug has British threads so that might be a great idea!! Not sure about seatpost size though.

I think I'll take it back to an original although I'm not sure of the model (if anyone can help?)

I THINK it's either a PSV or PSN 10....more digging required I think.

 

[glpinxit]

On the size point, I am 33"/5ft 11" too and find I really need a 60cm frame. Both my road frames are 58.5cm and I have problems finding a period appropriate seat post because I ride so high. (Not sure if it makes a difference but I am very flexible.) So you might want to ride them all before deciding which fits you best.

 

[Old Ned]

Nice shoes too! They look as if they've never been worn. If they're not your size then you should be able to sell them on for a good price. Are they the wood sole versions?

 

[PabloRoberts]

Re:

Hi,

Unfortunately that photo was the original sellers and he kept the shoes so I havent got a clue.

Still need to find out about these M234 rims. Any recommendations, or start a new thread maybe?