Author Topic: 1984 Raleigh Aero Pro build Completed...Now with even more sexy pics!!!! (Read 18900 times)

factory pilot · « **on:** April 04, 2016, 06:18 PM »

As a kid these images seemed to stick in my mind....

This was one of the bikes I always wanted. I never wanted reflectors and the like but I wanted the bike that you can see in those pictures...

Fast forward to MK 15 and I was determined to pick one up and Lo and behold Kerryman was selling a survivor that was a little bit worse for wear with black decals.

It was about 70% there with certain bits beyond repair, missing or unusable. I took the girl to pieces and started to give it a quick rub with the old Autosol and I began to see its true potential ....

Fast forward 9 months and this survivor has been transformed....

Some of the parts were in amazing condition and others I just had to bin.
The original blue/green comp 3s just weren't good enough to ride on and I soon decided this build was gonna be ridden!

I had to source pedals, headlock, seat post, cable clips and seatguts and that bloody Sugino brake guard...

The bike had a Raleigh Kashi RS and SR seatpost on it when I bought it but luckily Kerryman still had the original Kashi Aero but it was in a very sorry state. The guts were gone to rust as were the rails but with a bit of elbow grease and help from Joff and Del it was transformed....

I luckily had these lurking in the draw to finish it off ..

Joffy helped me turn a NOS set of gold SR pedals black ( trying to find a descent pair in black was impossible ) and did an amazing job on an old Sugino chain guard to bring it back to life.

I always wanted to have a proper Raleigh Aero plate and managed to find one after several long months ...

I luckily had a NOS Aero number one that I'd bought for pennies at my first ever MK 5 years ago..

The final piece of the puzzle was supplied by Mr T. Lee who noticed one thing was missing....

I'm not a fan usually but as this build demanded factory spec so they went on. Cheers Our Tone!

A massive thanks to Andy ( DTTDB ) for all his time, efforts, help and skills ( apparently he builds pretty good bikes this chap! ) and the use of his garden and man den..

Pads arrived from Steve Firebird and these lovely NOS decals for the stand ...

And so here it is the finished article!
I hope you like it as much as I do ...

Many thanks to all who help me on this build ... You know who you are !!!

Ant

johnjo74 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2016, 06:45 PM »

Looks fantastic Ant , I've been waiting for this to appear

Wish mine was finished.... nearly there though I think $:-\$

factory pilot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2016, 06:50 PM »

Quote from: johnjo74 on April 04, 2016, 06:45 PM

Looks fantastic Ant , I've been waiting for this to appear

Wish mine was finished.... nearly there though I think $:-\$

Cheers buddy!

It'll be worth the wait mate I promise ... I absolutely love mine ..can't wait to ride it at Chester on Saturday

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2016, 07:14 PM »

That is very special Ant, and a credit to you.

It's a far cry from the bike we were looking at @MK15.

CustardLips · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2016, 07:24 PM »

Nice work Ant... looks great.

rooski · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2016, 07:32 PM »

Nice one Ant! I really like Aero pros n all!

Taipan · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2016, 07:58 PM »

Nice job fella

deeman · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2016, 08:19 PM »

Lovely job Ant, looks the tits

oldschoolace · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2016, 08:39 PM »

Lovely build that bud, always nice to see parts getting restored rather than throwing money at nos stuff

Devilock · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2016, 08:44 PM »

Splendid & tremendous Ant.

Just need the tyres now...!

Jaymz · « **Reply #10 on:** April 04, 2016, 09:34 PM »

stu27 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 04, 2016, 09:34 PM »

Looks very nice

Ady · « **Reply #12 on:** April 04, 2016, 09:36 PM »

fooking lush bud..

Got too finish mine too..

NORTY40 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2016, 12:32 AM »

BOOM !!

and she's done

Looks proper mint that Ant , top work matey

Onto the Quad now and some more resto

Mikku · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2016, 12:41 AM »

Great job! It could have been me writing those first sentences, with those iconic magazine pics, as I loved these bitd. Hope it rides as good as it looks!!

McQUEEN · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2016, 06:03 AM »

Great catalogue build, love it. I really love the aero look, the rims and seat especially.

For me, this model was just as Burners became acceptable!!! I hated the early blue / red ones but love this aero tubing and the chrome. The seat with the Raleigh stamp is great touch / part as well.

Great build, is it going in BOTM? Should do!!

factory pilot · « **Reply #16 on:** April 05, 2016, 08:34 AM »

Thanks so much lads for all your kind words

It's truly humbling when your peers appreciate your build.

It means an awful lot when others ( with vast knowledge and expertise ) get the same buzz you do from something you've built.
As always I couldn't have done this without a great deal of help from my pals in the

family!
Thanks to you all, Ant

pickle · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2016, 08:41 AM »

Missed this thread! Ant that looks stunning! gorgeous bikes and you've done an amazing job on that (still don't like those chain guards though)

factory pilot · « **Reply #18 on:** April 05, 2016, 09:04 AM »

Quote from: pickle on April 05, 2016, 08:41 AM

Missed this thread! Ant that looks stunning! gorgeous bikes and you've done an amazing job on that (still don't like those chain guards though)

nice one Rob !

dancetothedrummersbeat · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2016, 09:37 AM »

Great thread Ant, and am well pleased you managed to find one. You've really put the effort in to make sure it's right, and it shows in the final result. I had the pleasure of riding this round my estate to check it was set up correctly and safe before handing it over to It's owner. I have to say that it rides amazing. Looks bloody lovely too. Top work Ant, and all who contributed

* i was a nervous wreck putting those decals on, but they turned out great

factory pilot · « **Reply #20 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:03 AM »

Quote from: dancetothedrummersbeat on April 05, 2016, 09:37 AM

Great thread Ant, and am well pleased you managed to find one. You've really put the effort in to make sure it's right, and it shows in the final result. I had the pleasure of riding this round my estate to check it was set up correctly and safe before handing it over to It's owner. I have to say that it rides amazing. Looks bloody lovely too. Top work Ant, and all who contributed

* i was a nervous wreck putting those decals on, but they turned out great

Cheers Andy .. You are a diamond geezer of the highest order mucka!

Devilock · « **Reply #21 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:07 AM »

Who manufactured Aero Pro bars?

factory pilot · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:31 AM »

I've not idea .. Tony Lee is the man on such things ...
Got to Koizumi or Tange ... I'm going Tange as there doesn't ever appear to be the old baseball stamp on the bars ?

Tony ....? Or anybody else ...?

Andy68 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2016, 10:34 AM »

Nailed it!!!

rodriguez · « **Reply #24 on:** April 06, 2016, 01:19 AM »

Cracking job

Takes me right back when I see of those

Author Topic: 1984 Raleigh Aero Pro build Completed...Now with even more sexy pics!!!! (Read 18900 times)

rodriguez