Grifter GS

[supergrip]

Well this one has taken over 2 years to complete. It really has been a labour of love to complete. The basis of the build was a NOS GS frame I purchased of eBay and I've tried to use only NOS items were every possible. You will notice that the frame has a Burner style headbadge sticker and a gold "made in England " on the downtube. This was because the frame was originally a replacement ordered in 1984 and never used.

[Scooter]

Nice indeed, but a couple of incorrect things about it!

[supergrip]

Cheers Ron. I know the chain is a modern one but what else have you spotted ;D

[chopper]

seat clamps and early one isnt it ??

[Scooter]

You're supposed to be the Grifter daddy, Why don't you tell me.................

[4737carling]

errrr excuse me but there's only one grifter daddy and that's me!!! supergrip is the grifter grandad!

now let me go back and look at the pictures! (P.s its a beautiful bike andy well done mate)

[chopper]

im the grifters bro

[Scooter]

I said "Supposed" to be...........................it was a hint

[4737carling]

I bet your pointing out the front brake caliper, a few different washers (the headbadge is original to the frame so you cant count that) and gold chain has been mentioned. Schrader valve caps, no end caps on the brake lines. have you spotted anything else GG?

Its such a beautiful restoration and the best GS ive ever seen.

[Scooter]

Actually, since you mention it, BOTH callipers, but that makes no difference. I have little knowledge on the full details of a G.S, however I believe that Standard callipers would have been fitted, Neither am I convinced by the brake pads.......

One thing I HAVE noticed though, is that the cottor pins are fitted facing the wrong way........

My main concern however, is the overall presentation. While it is absolutely stunning and there is no denying that fact, If I were a judge In a concourse condition it was entered into, It would lose points on a couple of things, that's just me being "Anal", but concourse competitions are like that.

[supergrip]

Hi Ron. All GS's and Some super Grifters had the Red Sturmey Archer washer and the shorter Style brakes blocks. Cotterpins are correct as far as I know but easy to change round.

The whole concept for this build was to look at what a Grifter would of looked liked if it had still been in production in 1984. It has all the additions that were seen on some late Supers and GS's. These are front and back Reflectors, wheel reflectors and the later style calipers with the 45 bend at the end were the cable adjuster sits. It was more of a design excersise than a show pony contender. ;D

[Scooter]

As I Said, I am not well versed on the GS model. I do understand what you are saying though.

As an aside, If those callipers were on a bike i bought, they would be ripped off and replaced with proper ones within 5 minutes. With the 45 bend, the cable and adjuster barrel wear as the barrel cannot swivel to match the pressure angle when the cable is pulled. Also, I have found longer pads give a better stopping grip, all important when moving at any speed above 20.

[mr swingbike]

Not forgetting the GS Grifter was a catalogue sales bike. And only avaliable through Grattens, Argos, john mills. Raleigh downgraded some of the fixtures and fittings to make them a cheaper option.

[4737carling]

I doubt Andy will be riding this bike so riding above 20mph wont be a problem. I think the bike is spot on for an 84 model as all the parts on it were generic to Raleigh's of that period. In my opinion it was Raleigh just using up stock parts and a last gasp attempt at selling the grifter when the bmx was all the rage. (still a nice bike)

[chopperwazza]

"was all the rage"