Raliegh Banana

[kendoNaga]

Hey peeps just got me a Raliegh Banana after 38 years of wanting one but forgot lol finally bought one for £50 it's all pretty good got new ish tyres and possibly a cassette change. Thinks its a later model not the Reynolds version after doing some research in here. I've just done a Level 2 C&G so got a little idea on how to do some stuff. Not sure weather to keep totally orinigal as best I can as I don't even know if the parts are and or go Resto Mod as I've got an old Felt with good parts on I'm thinking to add... Any opinions thoughts ect woukd be great appreciated. Thanks

 

[bikeworkshop]

It would certainly ride better with the modern kit on it.
Looks like the 105 calipers could fit, pad drop and nut style.
The rear Dropouts could be spread and realigned to 130 to take a cassette wheel.

You might want a25.4/26mm drop bar with short forward throw to get onto the STIs, as the original bars were for dt shifters and put the hoods a long way forward,
and you'd need bolt on downtube cable stops.

Purists won't like it, but the parts you're removing are low quality and low performance... so...
if you want to show it, keep it original,
but if you want to ride it, get swapping

 

[bikeworkshop]

Unfortunately if you want to keep the quill stem
(inchandaneighth ahead stems look awful on a vintage steel frame)
you might have to buy the
Soma Highway One 26mm drop bar to get the right shape with a classic look. £££

 

[kendoNaga]

It would certainly ride better with the modern kit on it.
Looks like the 105 calipers could fit, pad drop and nut style.
The rear Dropouts could be spread and realigned to 130 to take a cassette wheel.

You might want a25.4/26mm drop bar with short forward throw to get onto the STIs, as the original bars were for dt shifters and put the hoods a long way forward,
and you'd need bolt on downtube cable stops.

Purists won't like it, but the parts you're removing are low quality and low performance... so...
if you want to show it, keep it original,
but if you want to ride it, get swapping

I am done with purity I'm 51 lol That saddle is like a 1908s BMX saddle ouchy.... Thanks so much for your input I kinda understand some of it and yeah wana ride it Sunday mornings with a few friends who also have old bikes from teenage years. Downtube cable stops I think that's what me m8 called adaptors so I can use the more modern gears but i do like the level bar brakes and thinking to heighten the bars so Im not so bent over for comfort or is that a bad idea ? Also i was thinking to add a rack and go as light as possible up to a campsite and back and the wheels are 36 spokes so believe better for touring maybe lol

 

[bikeworkshop]

You'll have to change that 36⁰ rear wheel to operate the 105 kit - it's currently a freewheel (6 sp?) Whereas those stis look like 10s. (The model number is embossed in the plastic body under the rubber hood, something like st-5700)
- this will have to be compatible with the rear derailleur, and cassette. Bodgery here is a waste of time.

Hopefully you have the chainset, bb front and rear derailleurs from the felt, and can find a correct shimano freehub rear wheel for it

 

[kendoNaga]

Unfortunately if you want to keep the quill stem
(inchandaneighth ahead stems look awful on a vintage steel frame)
you might have to buy the
Soma Highway One 26mm drop bar to get the right shape with a classic look. £££

Just looked that up and yes I think I'll keep the old stem and bars just add new tape and maybe the levers will fit even if I need to shim the levers to fit maybe.. then raise bars also as I'm not wanting to go miles fast i just wana cruise around my days of doing 40 miles a day are well over lol

 

[Canuk]

I always liked the Raleigh Banana finish. Even though it's a cheap one colour job tarted up with decals (Peugeot were famous for doing the same thing) the colour palette on it is very cool.

 

[kendoNaga]

You'll have to change that 36⁰ rear wheel to operate the 105 kit - it's currently a freewheel (6 sp?) Whereas those stis look like 10s. (The model number is embossed in the plastic body under the rubber hood, something like st-5700)
- this will have to be compatible with the rear derailleur, and cassette. Bodgery here is a waste of time.

Hopefully you have the chainset, bb front and rear derailleurs from the felt, and can find a correct shimano freehub rear wheel for it

Yes it is a six speed and I was wondering if I could swap the cassette some how and I'll take a look, thank you so much so far for your advise its brilliant I've learnt a fair bit already. Didn't actually learn loads on different parts on the C&G but the basics are pretty cool seeing as I now know a fair bit about adjustment and alignment how ever the more I'm learning the more I might keep it original lol

I always liked the Raleigh Banana finish. Even though it's a cheap one colour job tarted up with decals (Peugeot were famous for doing the same thing) the colour palette on it is very cool.

Agreed and I may do a Resto Mod but after looking into it atm I just want to ride it. It's road worthy, smooth but a little heavy guess that's the frame also. I'll chenge
11 cables and index gears, make brakes better then ride it. When I'm ready I may upgrade parts with Vintage or go full RetroMod.... atb Ken

 

[Canuk]

Damn, you've got me hunting online for a Banana to restore!

 

[kendoNaga]

Damn, you've got me hunting online for a Banana to restore!

Marketplace has a fair few atm...