Score! I love Trash Day

I went out to the alley behind my house to put a bag of trash in the bin, for tomorrow is Trash Day. The house next door has been vacated by its renters and the owners are fixing it up to sell. It's a very cute and reasonably-priced house, if anyone's interested in moving to Richmond...but I digress.

In the pile of trash from the vacant house, I spied a bike frame. I hurriedly threw off the offending pieces of rubble it was buried under, and pulled out this (it was getting dark, so the photos are a bit fuzzy)!

It's an Oh-So-Classic Raleigh Record, fully lugged, steel frame and fork from probably the 70s or 80s. It has a Made In England decal near the bottom bracket on the downtube. I love it!

It's moldy and rusty and I have to check it carefully for cracks. If there are no cracks, I think I'll build it up as a single speed, which is what it seems to have been in it's last incarnation. There is a front brake and bullhorn bars. If there are cracks and shouldn't be ridden, I'll clean it up as Wall Art for my house. I have the perfect place for it!

Well done. Best of luck on your new project!

I had momentary palpitations upon seeing Raleigh Record, but mine was blue.

Wow! What a find. Maybe when I explore Virginia by bike, I should include alleys? Should be a great single speed.

I love alley rides and seeing the backs of peoples' houses--how they really live. Makes all the dogs go nuts, too.

The Raleigh Record is a pretty entry-level bike for it's day. It's not worth much, but I think it will be neat to work on. Even better if I can ride it.

Sounds like a fun project either way!

Tulip, nice find!:cool: Good luck on your project.

Very cool! Congrats on the find! Have fun restoring it, no matter what it's final destination will be. :)

Tulip-I just wanted to say congrats on your "new bike". All of these bike finds that have been happening, I have been keeping my eyes peeled for whatever happens where I live. My DH is more aware of what goes into the trash bins than I am, so he has been keeping me posted.

Have fun in the restoration. You'll have to put new pics up when it is finished.

Red Rock

Nice find Tulip! Let me know if you need parts- I know a guy whose basement is fully of old Raleigh bits.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tulip

The house next door has been vacated by its renters and the owners are fixing it up to sell. It's a very cute and reasonably-priced house, if anyone's interested in moving to Richmond...

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If you find this stuff often I might think about it very soon!!!
:D
GOOD SCORE!

Tulip, you have the best luck finding hidden treasures. :) Keep us posted on the restoration of the bike. :cool:

I love that you plan on making use of it either way:cool:

Wow- what a great find. I hope you can ride it, but bike wall art sounds VERY cool, too. :)

TriGirl you got a new Avatar! Very cool :)

+1 about the alleys. Riding them turns a city into a totally different experience. I love them. Apparently not the mention the possibility of nabbing cool stuff! Score!