Raleigh 20ty restoration

[stnfldr]

A lady is paying me to rebuild her Raleigh 20" folding bike. I have never had anything to do with these little bikes. I stripped it back last night, which was reasonably straight forward. She wants to get it powdercoated black, and keep it simple.

Are there any little tricks or tips I should know when rebuilding this? It has a 3 speed SA hub.

Here is what I plan, not sure if it's all possible? inparticular replacing the brakes and the cranks.

Powder coat frame
remove rust off chrome
schwalbe durano 20" tyres
brooks B67-S saddle - honey
brown handlebar grips to match
cane basket - front
wooden crate - rear
tektro R559 dual caliper long reach brakes
cotter less cranks - sealed BB

I am interested to hear about other who have attempted the same.

Ben

[hartleymartin]

To fit the sealed BB, you would have to have the bottom bracket faced down to 68mm from 76mm, which is something a frame builder would have to do. Otherwise you would have to make very careful work with a hacksaw and a file and use a thread less bottom bracket cartridge intended for bicycles with damaged BB threads. As long as the original bottom bracket cups and spindle are not worn out, it is easier just to clean these out, pack with fresh grease and get new cotter pins. It can be difficult to obtain good quality cotter pins.

Tektro long reach brakes will only work if you have 20" x 1-3/8" wheels (451mm rims) if you have the more common 20" x 1.75" wheels (406mm rims) only the proprietary rear brakes will reach the rim. My advice - keep the original callipers and use high quality brake pads such as Koolstop Continentals. Use new brake cables and make sure that they are well lubricated and very free running.

[stnfldr]

The bike already has koolstops on the rear.

I'll mull over your advice and see what I can do. Re the BB and cranks, could the new outboard bearing be fitted? or is the TPI different?


Ben

[stnfldr]

[stnfldr]

[utedeej]

Nice one, how did you sort out the crank/bottom bracket in the end.

[stnfldr]

it just fitted, there wasn't any issues from memory.
I used a sealed cartridge BB.