Reynolds 501 Frame - Parts

Ross_A

Hey,

I found a Raleigh bike with a Reynolds 501 Frame in a skip today and I'm thinking of using it to ride to work.

Everything seems to work, it changes gear, the brakes work, tyres inflate etc. The wheels wobble very slightly and I was thinking of giving the bike a bit of TLC. If I needed to replace any of the parts do I need to try and find original parts or is it a case of whatever fits?

Also, can someone recommend a good website with some instructions for bike maintenance? Thanks for your time!

Ross

skyd0g

Nice find!
Here's a site to check for maintainance: http://www.parktool.com/repair/

Why not post some pics? As it's 531 frame, chances are it's quite old, so some pics would help identify what would be compatible in any problem areas.

Ross_A

Thanks for the reply!

Yeh, I was really pleased with the find, I almost bid on something just like it on ebay a few weeks ago that sold for £45 (I was only willing to pay £30)!

I'll get some decent photos up tomorrow.. oh wait - later on *yawns*. I've been looking at some articles and i'm hoping that the wheels just need trueing (for now).

I've never ridden a road bike before, It didn't seem to like riding up a (1-2 inch) curb. Is that normal? I'm so used to riding front suspension mountain bikes!

Thanks again,

Ross

mmacavity

http://www.raleighbikes.com/

Reynolds 501 is Cro moly Not the same as Reynolds 531 Manganese Moly
http://equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/R ... -sizes.jpg

Bike maintenance
youtube has some good videos, and some not so good one.

Ross_A

Hey,

It's definately a 501 frame, it has a sticker on it! Here are some pictures in the album below:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9269/12122009167.jpg
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9762/12122009154.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/3383/12122009156.jpg
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7196/12122009157.jpg
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/1232/12122009158.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/893/12122009161.jpg
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3261/12122009162.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8130/12122009163.jpg
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1192/12122009164.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7269/12122009165.jpg

So, how to I figure out what parts will fit? Thanks

Ross[/url]

2alexcoo

That's a really nice find, and my size (23") if I'm not mistaken. I had an almost identical frame in the early 90s. Mine was late 80s but judging by the 8 speed RX100 kit yours is early 1990s.

The good news is that any bits you need will be readily available. Things like tyre and tube sizes, brake blocks, cables etc are all the same as for a new road bike. Shimano and SRAM both make 8 speed chains and cassettes.

I would replace all the cables (inner and outer) and the chain, but I bet the rest of the bits will clean up nicely and be ok to use as they are. For maintenance tips, as well as the Park Tool site mentioned previously, Sheldon Brown is a goldmine of information

Ross_A

Hey Alex,

Thanks for the great reply. When you say replace all the cables, do you mean the brake cables and gear change cables? Why do you think they'll need replacing? I only ask as all of the gears change smoothly and it seems to brake OK.

Also, is there an indication that a chain needs replacing? How can I measure the frame to see what size it is? I think 23" is the size I worked out I'd need for a road bike, so that is very lucky!

Oh and I'm also from Bristol, do you use any particular cycle shops? Thanks again,

Ross

2alexcoo

Maybe it's just paranoia, but I wouldn't trust nearly 20 year old cables, especially the brake cables. Then again, the only brake cable I ever snapped was on a Grifter about 25 years ago...

The chain may well be ok - I thought it was rusty in the pictures but it looks more like general dirt and grime.

If it all works fine there's probably a good argument for just riding it and fixing things when they break. If it was mine, I would probably spend weeks stripping it down, tinkering with it, and replacing perfectly good bits for the sake of it, so take my advice with a pinch of salt

The 23" frame size is just the length of the seat tube from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top. A lot of Raleighs only came in a few sizes, so sad gits like me can tell the size just by looking at them.

As for bike shops, Bike on Queens Road (near the Triangle) are very good and are the only shop I use regularly.