catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
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 Brilliant Story, but what a tragic end!!! Gutted for you. This is a '78 Grifter, I shall restore it in your honour Sir, a phoenix from the flames if you like.....
|
|
|
|
|
recarouk
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 435
|
|
|
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 not strictly true buddy, it did have electrics, it had a sound machine mounted to the middle of the bars, and a button on the right of the bars to activate it, sounds were machine gun, rocket launch, missile and a couple of others
|
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
The only gadget I remember for making siren noises was one of these...... 73ed_1 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr ...which I'd love to get my hands on and strap to the handlebars of my Grifter!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 24, 2014 13:03:07 GMT
|
We always used to collect the plastic tags that were used to seal bread bags on the spokes, keep expecting to see them still!
All the local Grifters used to have the front mudguards rubber/plastic flap worn away as if you pressed it against the tyre it used to sound (to my impressionable child mind) exactly like a motorbike.
I can remember those siren things to although I seem to think you could get ones that made different noises - a police siren maybe?
I think my son or daughter would love one of the Vektars now mind they would probably crash it whilst making noises or pressing buttons
|
|
|
|
fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
|
|
Jul 24, 2014 20:27:16 GMT
|
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 Brilliant Story, but what a tragic end!!! Gutted for you. This is a '78 Grifter, I shall restore it in your honour Sir, a phoenix from the flames if you like..... Well Thank You Sir, please post a pic up when its done Miss my old Grifter And YES, I had one of those electric horns, had three (I think) different sirens, The british police (Na na )sound, the American cop siren, and the full blown Fire engine siren.
|
|
Last Edit: Jul 24, 2014 20:35:02 GMT by fred
'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
|
|
fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
|
|
Jul 24, 2014 20:31:18 GMT
|
We always used to collect the plastic tags that were used to seal bread bags on the spokes, keep expecting to see them still! All the local Grifters used to have the front mudguards rubber/plastic flap worn away as if you pressed it against the tyre it used to sound (to my impressionable child mind) exactly like a motorbike. I can remember those siren things to although I seem to think you could get ones that made different noises - a police siren maybe? I think my son or daughter would love one of the Vektars now mind they would probably crash it whilst making noises or pressing buttons Ha ha yes, I used to do the same, as the all the kids did here, Yeah, if rested your foot on the plastic mud guard it used to 'rumble' against the knobbly tyres making a 'motor bikey' noise! Ha halcyon days
|
|
'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
Jul 25, 2014 10:03:47 GMT
|
We always used to collect the plastic tags that were used to seal bread bags on the spokes, keep expecting to see them still! All the local Grifters used to have the front mudguards rubber/plastic flap worn away as if you pressed it against the tyre it used to sound (to my impressionable child mind) exactly like a motorbike. I can remember those siren things to although I seem to think you could get ones that made different noises - a police siren maybe? I think my son or daughter would love one of the Vektars now mind they would probably crash it whilst making noises or pressing buttons Yes, I remember the plastic bread bag tags, a kid local to me (back in the day) had his entire brake cables full of them, I was so jealous!!! The trick I did (and many others in the early 80's) was to attach a playing card with a peg to the rear downtube so the spokes of the rear wheel flicked the card making a distinctive 'motorbike' sound.....well....that's what it sounded like to an eight year old kid!! .....like so.... 2462746663_5d2dedbae1 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr ....that, riding around the garden along with the police sirens was a parent's nightmare, haha!!
|
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
mexicansteve
South West
Posts: 683
Club RR Member Number: 31
|
|
|
well that was a great read. I look forward to the finished product. When I was a kid my eldest brother had a Chopper, my other bro had a Grifter and I had a non descript motocross lookalike (fake fuel tank and such).I was always a bit jealous.
|
|
BeQuietandDrive
1989 Bedford Astra Van
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
Jul 31, 2014 10:17:51 GMT
|
well that was a great read. I look forward to the finished product. When I was a kid my eldest brother had a Chopper, my other bro had a Grifter and I had a non descript motocross lookalike (fake fuel tank and such).I was always a bit jealous. Thank you mexicansteve, nice to know you were part of the retro bike scene (though I'd have preferred the bike you describe as having!!) Will update here with progress/finished resto.
|
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
So, I came across the problem of the mudguard flaps and how they aren't in the greatest condition (in fact the two on the front are half missing) and now I've repainted the actual mudguard, the flaps look worse against them. So.....the idea: I work in the Graphic Design trade, so I thought I'd put my profession to use. Instead of spending hours (and money) looking for a set of flaps (that probably wouldn't be much better than mine....unless I found NOS) I decided to recreate a set on the computer. Step 1: I scanned in one of the flaps (the best one of the three) then redrew the shape, design, and logo in Adobe Illustrator:
Step 2:
I sent the design through our software at work to the platemaking department (we make flexographic printing plates for the label/packaging industry) who then produced me a set of plates with the embossed design:
Step 3:
Use the raised outline to cut around the plate with scissors, then tidy up the edges:
Step 4:
Spray paint the plate with black paint (I lightly dusted the spray so as not to build up layers of paint which may crack when the flap is bent or twisted).
Original flap vs fabricated flap:
Step 5:
Get out the pot riveter and attach the flaps to the mudguard (the original rivets were rusted beyond repair so I used these alloy pot rivets, I thought about painting the rivets black but I actually like the 'retro riveted' look so I'll leave them unpainted).
Result:
Et voila!! Not an original part but a pretty close reproduction and a lot better looking than the original scuffed flaps:
Conclusion:
I'm pleased with the result, however I think I need to invest in some Plastidip flexible paint as the flap is quite flexible and I can foresee the paint flaking off with even a small amount of agitation, I'm not planning to give this bike any considerable amount of hammer once it's done so the flaps should remain safe, though for longevity I think I need to go down this route just to make a proper job of it.
Cheers. Mark.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We always used to collect the plastic tags that were used to seal bread bags on the spokes, keep expecting to see them still! All the local Grifters used to have the front mudguards rubber/plastic flap worn away as if you pressed it against the tyre it used to sound (to my impressionable child mind) exactly like a motorbike. I can remember those siren things to although I seem to think you could get ones that made different noises - a police siren maybe? I think my son or daughter would love one of the Vektars now mind they would probably crash it whilst making noises or pressing buttons Yes, I remember the plastic bread bag tags, a kid local to me (back in the day) had his entire brake cables full of them, I was so jealous!!! The trick I did (and many others in the early 80's) was to attach a playing card with a peg to the rear downtube so the spokes of the rear wheel flicked the card making a distinctive 'motorbike' sound.....well....that's what it sounded like to an eight year old kid!! .....like so.... 2462746663_5d2dedbae1 by CarltonGsi, on Flickr ....that, riding around the garden along with the police sirens was a parent's nightmare, haha!! The card / peg trick was a major craze round our way, you'd see kids riding round with half a dozen of the things hanging off their bikes. We used football cards in the days before sticker albums. Did anyone else do 'broadies' then finish the move by saying 'skill'?
|
|
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
Yeah.....all the time!!
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 1, 2014 10:40:17 GMT by catho
|
|
steveg
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,565
|
|
|
Wow those end flaps are brilliant. One of the items I didn't think could be replaced. Does anyone else do them or are you the first ? I have had good results using Vykote in the past. Another possibility is using dye. I have a couple of old BMX bikes and visit RAD bmx website. A lot of the guys there have re-coloured seats and Skyway Tuff wheels using various dyes using vast quantitied of salt and wrecking a few pots and pans in the process. Special baths have been used for doing wheels. Looking forward to seeing the reat of it done.
|
|
Last Edit: Aug 1, 2014 19:49:43 GMT by steveg
|
|
|
|
|
Nice project. I'm from the bread tags/twigs for motorbike noise/vektar era too. I thought a white mk2 Astra gte was like an adult Raleigh vektar with the plastic body kit and digital dash. Any chance you could give details on how you've cleaned up the polished metal work? I'm currently tidying up an old BMX for my son and the caliper has surface rust so looking to clean it up - only on the cheap though as I just want it tidy but useable. Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Also, does anyone know a source of 8" / 9" mag wheels?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is awesome...
We used to put a drinks can at the back of the front forks to create a kind of turbine sound as well as using the card trick...
Great day...!!! I need another Grifter in my life...
|
|
***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
|
|
fred
Posted a lot
WTF has happened to all the Vennies?
Posts: 2,957
|
|
|
Wow - You did good on those flaps - awesome work - look better than new Always satisfying - a good decent foreigner at work
|
|
'79 Cossie ran Cortina - Sold
2000 Fozzer 2.0 turbo snow beast
'85 Opel Manta GSI - Sold
03 A class Mercedes
Looking for a FD Ventora - Anyone?
|
|
catho
Part of things
Posts: 69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|