I’ve Built a Working Time Machine

TLDR I’ve built a racing bicycle based on a recycled 1987 Raleigh steel frame, here’s how it went…

Total build cost: ￡614.94

The Process of rebuilding an old bike is something you can do inside your own home, although from experience it can test the strength of your relationships… you don’t necessarily need a workshop but buying one might be cheaper than a divorce. You will need a couple of specialist tools like a bottom bracket socket, chain splitter and a crank puller. I'm pleased to present the X21 (A), my latest bicycle build which is based on a down tube shifting, steel frame from a 1987 Raleigh Record Sprint. If you’ve got a rusty bike in the shed, with a bit of work it could transport you back to another time.

Before you get going you really need to know what you’re dealing with. First check what material your frame is, if its magnetic then its likely steel which is a great start for this kind of project. If it’s not steel, you need to be aware you won’t be able to alter the shape of your frame in the same way as I’ve done here. The next vital thing to understand is the age of your bicycle. Any bicycles made before 1995 were manufactured to accept a size of rear wheel hub that is now obsolete. In engineering, anything is possible but if your bike was manufactured before 1995 and the frame isn’t steel, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to modernise. You can normally date a bicycle by looking for a circular date stamp on cast parts such as brake callipers or cranks.

To get started on a rebuilding a bicycle you need to start with your donor machine and 2 buckets or bags. Use hand tool to strip the bike down to as many parts as you can, more complex mechanism like the derailleurs you’ll need to take photos of before they are taken apart. One bucket is ‘keep parts’ and the other for 'scrap'. You should keep anything that is of historic significance to the bike if you can but change anything where the opportunity to upgrade is reasonable. For instance, I wouldn’t recondition an open bottom bracket bearing as new technology means I can improve the bike with a sealed bearing. It’s worth noting that the scrap bucket isn’t the bin, a good amount of what goes into the scrap bucket will escape later because a replacement part does not exist. Do your best not to throw away the original parts or the gods of engineering will make sure you definitely need them in the future.

Once you’ve sorted the components you need to clean the ‘keep parts’ and check them for damage, finishing this process will ultimately give you your shopping list. Build a budget and be prepared for some expenses you may not have considered. There’s a lot to consider when trying to get new parts to work together but the basic principles of ‘like for like’ and reducing the number of manufacturers involved in the drive chain will really help. For this project I have installed a Shimano 2x6 RS500 gearing and an SLX Long Cage rear mechanism to accommodate a large 34T low end gear at the back specifically for conquering the infamous Brassnocker Hill in Bath.

How much does it cost?

Donor Frameset (Raleigh 1987) ￡140

Wheel Front ￡43.99

Wheel Rear ￡47.99

Head bearing 2 x 5/32 ￡7.48

Friction Shifter leavers braze on (recycled) ￡10.00

Gear Cables ￡11.00

Sealed Bearing Bottom Bracket ￡15.00

Drive Chain ￡15.99

6 Speed Free wheel assembly ￡24.99

Cable guide ￡3.98

Brake Hoods x 2 ￡12.30

Raleigh Black Paint ￡6.95

Bottom Bracket Socket ￡8.98

Brake Cables ￡8.98

Rim Tape ￡4.00

Inner Tubes x2 ￡12.95

Chain Rings 36/52 ￡39.99

Chain Ring Bolts x 5 6.89

Michelin Lithion 3 tyres x 2 ￡32.60

Cable guide mounting bolt (made to measure) ￡5.39

Shimano SLX SGS rear Derailleur ￡41.99

Shimano RS500 SPD Sl pedals ￡40.00

Goat Leather Saddle and Bar Tape ￡73.50

This project was completed using components sourced from The Julian House Bike Workshop charity. This means proceeds of the project costs reach good causes In the South West. If your keen to know more about this build or you’d like to start a project of your own, get in touch!