Raleigh Scorpio (mid-'70s?)

[Beardos]

Hi everyone. First post. Been lurking a while hear soaking up a bit of loveliness from all the retro bikes.

First of all, I'm gotten hold of what seems to be a Raleigh Scorpio. I've had it a little while and have been attempting to strip it down to sort it out (not in great nick, but hey-ho).



I've not been able to find any numbers or stamps to find out more info about the frame itself.



I've removed pretty much all components save the bb fixed cup, headset and stem.

The stem is my main ache at the moment. I've been spending quite a few weeks occasionally using all my (meagre) strength trying to twist the menace free. I have however only managed to turn it about 190 degree around, and it will budge no more. I've tried sticking some oil in it; squirting some PlusGas Penetrant inside and out; and pouring some apple cider vinegar through the forks inside. But to no avail. :facepalm:



I don't have access to a vice, which I think would probably help a lot with the stuck stem. So far I have been using a spare pair of handlebars to demobilise the forks as I twist from the top.

Just incase you were wondering I'm pretty much a resto novice (24). I rode my dad's '60s Claud Butler tourer throughout my teens, but don't have much experience with this level of stuff.

I'd appreciate any words of advice on my little project.

>>> fairly major note <<<

ALSO, there is a dent in the non-drive side chain stay, that fills me with a sense of dread, but I don't know if it is a complete write-off.



I can also take some better photos if needed.

Cheers,
Sam.

 

[originalshinkicker]

Hi Sam
Welcome to the forum.

If you have managed to turn your stem 180 degrees then that is good! Most stuck stems will not move at all. You probably need to shock the stem now with a good hard hit. Turn the bike upside down and place a long piece of good thick wood against the bottom of the stem and hit it very hard with a good hammer - that may shock the stem and break the hold it has (mark the stem just beside the top headset nut so you can see if knocking the stem is having an effect).

Knock the stem a good few times then twist it by the bars and just keep going, it will come out.

Need to see some pics of the dent on the non drive side - if the rear wheel sits straight in the frame and the frame is straight then all may be ok

Cheers
Neil

 

[Midlife]

I sold Raleigh Scorpio's back in the 70s'. Rather like this one

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=254348

The bronze was a bit of a marmite colour really. The frame number might be behind the seat on the seat tube which will reveal the true age. Knocks like that are not to troublesome to the steel tubing of the day as long as it's pretty straight and not rusted through.

Silly question about the stem, I see you have undone the bolt but did you sack it down to release the wedge in the stem?

Shaun

 

[Beardos]

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies.

Stem

Turn the bike upside down and place a long piece of good thick wood against the bottom of the stem and hit it very hard with a good hammer

Sounds good to me Neil. However there seems to be a little metal barb or something just on inside of the hole in the forks. The dark spike in this picture.

Silly question about the stem, I see you have undone the bolt but did you sack it down to release the wedge in the stem?

I did indeed Shaun (you can see it looking a bit grubby inside the fork in the picture above), but it was probably worth your asking anyway. It needed quite a few good wallops to free it. I only ended up accidentally unscrewing it completely, though I would have ended up removing it to soak it on the inside.

Dent

Need to see some pics of the dent on the non drive side - if the rear wheel sits straight in the frame and the frame is straight then all may be ok

I tried to get a bit better shot of the dent on the stay here. The wheel sits fine and they both look uniform and straight to me. Guess it isn't too bad then.

The bronze was a bit of a marmite colour really.

Ha! I quite like it myself. Had a few people say they did too. Bodes well. There's something slightly 'Molteni' about it to me...

The frame number might be behind the seat on the seat tube which will reveal the true age.

Brilliant thanks for that. I was looking in completely the wrong place!

I make that out to be NE5206603.

Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[originalshinkicker]

Dont put the wood up inside the forks, put the wood against the bottom of the handlebar stem where the stem meets the bars

 

[Spokesmann]

 

[Midlife]

......NE5 start to the number so that's 1975, blimey I was 15 years old The spike in the picture was used to hold the forks together during manufacture. If the stem has actually moved you are winning

Shaun

 

[Top Ghia]

Re:

Unless I have misunderstood, the dent in the pic is the drive side, if so its meant to be there it gives clearance for the chain rings. I quite like the copper colour, very 70s. good luck with it.

 

[twosheds]

Re:

I think he means the "dent" on the inside of the non-driveside stay which is in the background of his picture. To me it looks like damage caused by a buckled wheel rubbing the frame for a long time, which is serious. I guess those are fairly heavy gauge chainstays on the Scorpio, so personally I would fill that with some mig weld or brazing rod and file it back to shape.

 

[Beardos]

Re:

Yeah. Feel proper silly now. It is indeed the drive side of the bike. :roll:

I also think it is an original indentation to give the chain ring a bit of space, as if you look close enough on the (frankly smashing) picture Spokesmann posted, it's there too.

Novice mistake on my part for that I guess.

Still got the stem. Gonna hopefully have a go at it tomorrow.

I've got a standard claw hammer and a rubber mallet; would either of those be appropriate.

Thanks again for the advice guys, much appreciated.