Raleigh Banana 531c Build.

[m77wkd]

My Raleigh Banana build was completed recently and thought I'd share a few before, during and after pictures.

The bike started out as an ebay purchase and came with good paint and an original 105 / 6 speed groupset.

The plan was to improve the running gear so I decided on the tried and tested Dura-Ace 7400 group with a few modern twisted.
Hope you enjoy.

 

[m77wkd]

I had an issue with the new headset being too high for the steering tube and tried a few options so I could keep the Dura-Ace 7410 headset. This sadly didn't work, so resorted to something with a shallower stack hight.

 

[m77wkd]

The components came from all over the world, mainly though ebay.. Some parts were used and some new old stock.

 

[m77wkd]

Finally, the bike was finished, and then finished again.

The build............
Raleigh 57cm / Reynolds 531c frame and forks.
*DeoreXT HP-M730 Headset*
(HP-7410 didn't fit)
*Dura Ace FH-7400 / HB-7403 Hubs with black Mavic OpenPro 36h rims.
Vittoria Corsa 23mm tyres*
(Ultegra 6600 9sp hubs with Mavic OpenPro 36h rims Continental GP tyres)
*PD-M520 SPD Peddles*
(Wellgo R104B - Christophe cage)
- Dura-Ace 7400 8sp STI group. FC-7410, FD-7410, *Token 103mm BB* (BB-UN91) CN-7401, RD-7402, CS-7401, BR-7403, SP-7400-B, *HP-M730* (HP-7410) ST-7400.
- Dura Ace SM-AD91 Front Derailleur Adaptor
- Dura-Ace 9000 black brake/gear cables.
*San Marco Rolls saddle*
(Selle Italia Turbomatic II manganese saddle)
- Deda quill adapter.
*Cinelli Groove 100mm stem*
(Deda Logo 100mm stem)
*Cinelli Touch 42 anatomic bars*
(Cinelli Giro 64/42 grooved bars)
- Cinelli cork bar tape.
- Cateye cordless computer.
*Recent component change*

 

[m77wkd]

The Merckx build, coming soon.........
Motorola Merckx Corsa Extra SLX' https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/motorola-merckx-corsa-extra-slx.471385/

 

[trailwright]

Very nice. Dura Ace is great stuff. If you managed to squeeze in an XT headset why haven't you then fitted a nice Cinelli / 3TTT / ITM quill stem? The stem currently on doesn't do the bike justice.

Look forward to seeing the finished Merckx. What Columbus tubing is on it?

 

[m77wkd]

Very nice. Dura Ace is great stuff. If you managed to squeeze in an XT headset why haven't you then fitted a nice Cinelli / 3TTT / ITM quill stem? The stem currently on doesn't do the bike justice.

Look forward to seeing the finished Merckx. What Columbus tubing is on it?

Good question.
After the dura ace headset fiasco I committed to the ahead adapter. Now, I'm just too lazy to strip down the bars, buy new tape and a new stem.
Merckx is SLX.

 

[Nob]

old school bars & stem looks far better on the banana than the modern set up IMO…..

 

[m77wkd]

old school bars & stem looks far better on the banana than the modern set up IMO…..

An XA stem is on the cards. Just need to source one the right size.

 

[Nob]

An XA stem is on the cards. Just need to source one the right size.

Perfect