1978 Raleigh Grifter -Latest project (two wheels not four!!)

[catho]

Hi Guys.

Well, after having gone nearly 3 years with the Carlton complete and attending various Retro shows I started to get that 'restoration' feeling back in my bones, so, without wanting to take on another (huge) car project I decided to opt for one of my childhood fantasies.....a Raleigh Grifter!!!

I never actually owned one back in the early 80's, I had a Strika but always wanted the big Grifter though by the time I was old (and big) enough, the BMX had come into fashion so I had one of those.

I did however, ride a few of my older mate's Grifters and fell in love with them, it was like riding a motorbike.....they even seemed to weigh the same as one too!!! That, and the handlebar gearshift was pretty much all you ever wanted as an eight year old kid!!!

I was thinking about restoring a Chopper, but I think they're being overbought and overpriced, besides I wanted to do something a little different, not as popular but still have a cult following, so here goes....

Progress will be updated as and when the work has been carried out.

As bought (Note: I'd already made a start on the rear calipers and seat before these photos were taken (I just couldn't wait!!) but you get the general idea of how she looks).


DSCN1597 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr



DSCN1586 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1587 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1588 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1592 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr



DSCN1591 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr



DSCN1595 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1596 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1601 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1606 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1602 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Thanks for looking.

[Mercdan68]

That's the same one I had back in 1979! I want one,, nice project that fella

[grifterkid]

As my username suggests I do have a soft spot for these...!!!

My last one got half-inched many years ago and I've yet to get back in the Grifter loop!

I think it's time for me to get stuck in again (I had seven at one stage, some better than others!)...

I will enjoy seeing you bring this one back to life...

[steveg]

I spotted one for sale locally to me and considered getting it. I had one before BMX's became popular and had great fun up the local ranges on it. It had a bent steerer tube and if you turned too sharply it would lock up and stay there, didn't know how to fix things at the time !

A lot of bits seem available for them but can you still get seats and bars from anywhere ?

[catho]

Thanks guys, will update with progress.

steveg eBay will be my stomping ground for the next few weeks ;-)

[austinpowers]

I had a red one and it was indestructible, it was the first new bike I ever had. Before that I had a chopper that my dad recondition for me, then I moved on to BMXs.

[alecw35]

Ive had a few Grifters and Choppers in my time.

At present Ive got a blue Grifter, in similar condition to that. I got it from the scrap yard for a couple of quid. Also got a Mark 1 Burner from there too.

[1980escort]

Now that takes me back, my first big bike was a red grifter loved it

Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards

[catho]

Jul 18, 2014 21:47:51 GMT austinpowers said:

I had a red one and it was indestructible, it was the first new bike I ever had. Before that I had a chopper that my dad recondition for me, then I moved on to BMXs.

Very similar situation to me, I had a Raleigh Strika which my Dad did up for me in the early 80's and then I moved onto BMX's.

[catho]

Jul 19, 2014 9:10:02 GMT alecw35 said:

Ive had a few Grifters and Choppers in my time.

At present Ive got a blue Grifter, in similar condition to that. I got it from the scrap yard for a couple of quid. Also got a Mark 1 Burner from there too.

Sounds like you got a bargain there, I paid a little more for mine!! And a Mk1 Burner, nice!!!

[catho]

This weekend's work; completely stripped down the bike, started to clean up the chromework and got the frame and forks ready to be taken to my local blasters/enamellers.

Pics:

Components disassembled


DSCN1607 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Chainring, pedals:


DSCN1611 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Brake calipers:


DSCN1610 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Brake Levers:

DSCN1612 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Battered and bruised mudguards:


DSCN1614 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Tired (or tyred) Wheels:


DSCN1609 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Sorry looking rear hub/cog:


DSCN1619 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr


DSCN1620 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Frame, stripped:


DSCN1608 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

One set of calipers polished up:


DSCN1622 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

Tarnished badge polished:


DSCN1621 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr

[alecw35]

Heres a pic of my current Grifter. Much as I got it from the scrap yard. I fitted the mags, from a Raliegh Wildcat, that was also there.
Bikes rough, but that means I don't have no worries about modding it.



Tried a set of alloys on it, from an Apollo XC20.



Will probably build a set of 3 speed alloys for it. Ive removed the side stand tube. I'm going to mod the BB shell to take an alloy crank.

My Raliegh Burner was a frame, minus wheels. Ive had various wheels on it. Its currently got modern 3 spoke mags. Maybe a bit too modern tho. They are almost exactly the same colour blue as the frame tho.

[catho]

Nice alecw, glad there's other folk out there sharing the Grifter appreciation.

[steveg]

Thought this might amuse a few people. Me on a Grifter, nice body warmer !
I think this was taken after my Brother was given it though as it had the new, straight forks on it.

[catho]

Jul 21, 2014 19:29:16 GMT steveg said:

Thought this might amuse a few people. Me on a Grifter, nice body warmer !
I think this was taken after my Brother was given it though as it had the new, straight forks on it.

Classic Retro photo there steveg, nice Mk5 Cortina behind you too!!

[forde]

cool I wud like to do an old bmx. I saw a grifter cheap at car boot recently but it was too far gone or would have had it. wheels etc werent saveable.

wud love a wildcat as I actually had one as a kid (90s kid)

[catho]

Jul 23, 2014 12:26:26 GMT forde said:

cool I wud like to do an old bmx. I saw a grifter cheap at car boot recently but it was too far gone or would have had it. wheels etc werent saveable.

wud love a wildcat as I actually had one as a kid (90s kid)

I don't remember the Wildcat although I new a lad (a little younger than me) having a Raleigh Vectar!!!

All that plastic and electronics would scare me off even moreso than tackling another car!!

[alecw35]

Wildcat was a sort of base model Vektar. Similar frame. But different body work and wheels. Ive had 2 Wildcats, the first I modded quite a lot. It kept on getting stolen tho. :/

I had 2 Vektars, at the same time. They were in good condition. But I didn't know what too do with them. As I couldn't afford to restore them, and was scared of damaging them. So I sold them, along with two RSW16's, and a Bridgestone Stingray, to a collector. Asked £20 a bike. more than each cost me. But still a good price for a project bike

[forde]

Jul 23, 2014 13:39:12 GMT catho said:

Jul 23, 2014 12:26:26 GMT forde said:

cool I wud like to do an old bmx. I saw a grifter cheap at car boot recently but it was too far gone or would have had it. wheels etc werent saveable.

wud love a wildcat as I actually had one as a kid (90s kid)

I don't remember the Wildcat although I new a lad (a little younger than me) having a Raleigh Vectar!!!

All that plastic and electronics would scare me off even moreso than tackling another car!!

yeah the wildcat had no electrics tho it was like a basic vektor

[fred]

Dayum, I had a brand new Grifter off my Grandad back in '78
blue with twist grip gears etc. got it at a discount as my mother worked for a subsidiary company, the name escapes me right now, was based in wednesbury.

Had it as He promised me one if I got 'excellent' in a school report he would buy me a brand new Bike.
I got 'excellent' he slapped my back, after reading report and ordered one.

loved it, rode it for miles n miles n miles. I was 9 back then, and had it till two years ago 'as is'
until a electrical fire completely melted my shed. That fierce (had creosote, petrol) etc in it as you do, melted everything even the frame.
Gutted aint the word.
Loved that Grifter, rode it for more miles than I could mention
feck the tools, which burnt to a crisp. I miss my Grifter an icon of my childhood