Monday, July 12, 2010

Rampar Rapide

This is the Rampar "Rapide". This is a first for me. I have only recently heard of the brand. And this is the first one I have ever actually seen. My Uncle found it at a garage sale. When He described it to me I could not resist. Not all beat-up, paint looks good, appears to be a very low miles, lugged frame bike. Just what the doctor ordered!

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First business is to take it apart and take stock of the components. The "Star" brakes and levers are kind of cheezy. So for-sure they will be replaced. I`m thinking I will use the Tek-Tro (side-pull caliper) brakes I bought for the Fuji. I will need to drill-out the holes a little to make them fit. I will replace the seat-post with a micro-adjust post.(one of my favorite up-grades) The saddle will be replaced with the black Charge Spoon Saddle I didn`t use on the Fuji. I will try to find a "used" lighter stem and handlebars in the shop. I have an extra set of Tek-Tro Aero-Levers (new) I can also use. The wheel-set, while being entry-level, they appear to be dead-on and very well preserved.( I`m on the fence right now as far as the wheel-set goes) I also have a set of 1980`s race pedals with clips and straps I can use. (originals from the Centurion)I would like to try to convert the crank to a cotter-less. I will see if I have a bracket that matches. This would also be a first for me.(I think) I`m only going to do this if I can use parts I already have laying around. The original came apart ok and is in very good (un-polished) condition. I`m just not a big fan of the cottered crank system. If memory serves me, The shifters and derailleurs are Sun-Tour so I will most likely re-use them. As for tires Kenda K35 Gum-walls for sure. Lugged frames and Gum-Walls just go together beautifully.
Above: The frame cleaned up nicely. And the paint looks great with just a few minor chips. Good News, The head-set was not dry, nor was the bracket. Both will get de-greased and re-greased and re-assembled. The inner-tubes look good, no patches,no bulges. So I cleaned them up, filled them up and hung them up on the back of the stand. I think they will both be re-used. I guess the first thing I will do is rebuild the head-set. Then clean-up the wheel-set and true them up. Then see about the crank. I really hope I have a cotter-less that fits.

Above: A close-up of the bottom bracket shell. It will get a good cleaning with
White-Lightning Clean Streak before I rebuild or replace the inner workings.
Above: The front wheel and the three piece cotter crank and also the bracket. Note the C-Clamp and the Lug-Nut, my tools for removing cotter pins. Also a little bit of Liquid Wrench (not shown) I always give the cotter pin a little penetrating oil before trying to remove the pins. It doesn`t hurt to do this (penetrating oil) the night before you plan to break the pins loose.
Well that about gets us caught up for now. I think I sold the Centurion today. Hopefully I did, the shop is getting crowded again. Till Next Time, Ride safe!
and remember to always RESCUE,RESTORE&RECYCLE and watch the "Tour de France"
Cheers,Hugh

7 comments:

  1. Hello,
    Nice work as always. I think Rampars are "budget" Raleighs. Perhaps someone else can confirm this. In any case, they are generally nice rides!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey J,
    From what I have been able to find out (which isn`t much)"that is correct". I did notice something interesting on a woman`s Raleigh sprite (aprox 1973) I picked up the other day. The headlight on it is a Rampar brand.I wonder if Rampar might have proceeded Avenir as the Raleigh accessory brand?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I discovered your blog trying to find info on overhauling my first bike, a Raleigh Rampar R-Two.

    How in the world did you get the forks and bars off? I can't figure it out for the life of me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hey Anthony,
    Sorry for the delay. Here is a link that should help you http://bicycletutor.com/overhaul-threaded-headset/
    You have to break-down the head set to remove the fork. So this should cover the whole operation.
    If by the handlebars you mean (removing the stem)
    go to http://forums.bicycletutor.com/thread-489.html
    If you are literally having trouble removing the bars from the old style clamp. After you loosen the bolt sometimes it helps the pry it open wider using a large slotted screwdriver. This may require an extra set of hands.
    Again sorry for the delay. I hope this helps you
    with your project.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have a 3 speed rampar roaster men's bike in good condition. my question is do you know the value on a rampar roaster.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honestly I have never seen or heard of the Roaster before.
      All I can suggest is check Craig's list in your area and see what they (or similar models) are selling for.

      Delete
  6. I have a rampar rapide that I'm trying to disassemble now. I'm having a hard time removing the bottom bracket. What kind of tool did you use?

    ReplyDelete

 
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