Raleigh Banana help

[DaveClaz]

I am a real bike novice but saw an old lady selling a Raleigh Banana recently. For 25 quid I had to get it as brough back so many memories.

I have been cleaning it up and noticed the crank is welded to the frame.

Is this trouble, should I just treat the bike like a piece of art and hang it in the garage.


Or can I still ride it, Many thanks Dave

 

[DaveClaz]

Here is another photo to give you an idea how it looks. I have taken the tape, decals off now and will replace them.

 

[27motorhead]

I am a real bike novice but saw an old lady selling a Raleigh Banana recently. For 25 quid I had to get it as brough back so many memories.

I have been cleaning it up and noticed the crank is welded to the frame.

Is this trouble, should I just treat the bike like a piece of art and hang it in the garage.


Or can I still ride it, Many thanks Dave

That's just the fixed cup on the bottom bracket that has been welded in situ. Maybe it kept working loose? You should be able to file/grind of weld and you'll be able to undo (clockwise) as it is a left hand thread on the this side of the BB. This won't stop you removing the chainset/cranks and the non drive side cup of the bottom bracket (non drive side) which is unscrews anti-clockwise.

The cranks need a crank arm remover to remove

 

[DaveClaz]

Ha you make it sound so easy !! I have a local bike maintenance bloke who might be the one to do it.

I am going to give it a ride over the summer then look at doing some work on it.

I was just a bit worried thinking it might just fall to bits when riding!!

 

[27motorhead]

Ha you make it sound so easy !! I have a local bike maintenance bloke who might be the one to do it.

I am going to give it a ride over the summer then look at doing some work on it.

I was just a bit worried thinking it might just fall to bits when riding!!

Ha! When you break things down, bikes are pretty simple to work on. The downside is the need for specialist tools in order for you to remove/fit components which means unless you plan to do a lot of fettling they are expensive. YouTube is full of videos of how to (and also not how to!) fit/remove parts/components.

That weld means you can enjoy your bike this summer as that fixed cup isn't coming loose!!! You should just check the tightness of the cranks just in case with a 14mm socket. You just need to remove the cover caps with a small bladed screwdriver and you'll see a 14mm nut/bolt inside the head of the crank arm.

 

[DaveClaz]

Thanks for your help!

I will be back on here soon for more questions !!

 

[27motorhead]

Thanks for your help!

I will be back on here soon for more questions !!

Lots of friendly people on here. Not always helpful, but we try our best. Enjoy your new (but old) £25 retro ride!