is it worth it??

[the loz]

Hi,

I am quite new to this site and to Raleigh bikes in general. I have been looking to get an older ladies Raleigh to restore. I have finally got my hands on one, however its in a bit of a state and i want to know if its worth the effort of restoring.

The bike frame still has some of the old transfer work and from that I can see that it says Boulevard Tourist. I have to admit I'd never heard of a tourist with Boulevard in the title and Google was little help.

I know I can probably replace the bike parts fairly cheaply; the bike needs new gears, brakes and saddle.

my main concern is the frame, its paint (a beautifiul shade of red) is very badly worn and will need a respray , Im in Manchester and was going to try Atlantic Boulevard-has anyone had any experience?

so I guess I want to know firstly if anyone has heard of this model and if you think its worth the effort of a full respray?

Thanks, Laura

[airbrake]

Here's a gents 1962 Boulevard Tourist :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32400622@N05/3031203584/

Why not post a picture or two of yours ? What's the serial number ?

Also found out it was included in a set of 1957 cigarette cards depicting Raleigh models !

[spanner]

Read your blog about the raleigh bike and the faded paintwork
before deciding to get it resprayed have you considered trying to polish up the paintwork try brasso or t cut on a small area where the paint is faded and see if the paintwork shines up one of the front fork legs would be best if your cloth is dirty thats means the brasso is lifting the dirt out of the paintwork then finish off with car polish thats what i do with bikes i get.
worth an afternoon cleaning it this way than getting it resprayed always worth considering this idea
if however the transfers are badly worn and you can find someone who can respray the frame the original colour that may be the best option
try h lloydcycles for transfers as they do a lot of raleigh transfers and would be able to advise or you could go to a sign maker who makes shop signs and they would be able to replicate and fit the transfers for you as unless you can fit the transfers yourself or the place that resprays the bike can you will end up with a nice bike and no transfers