Ti Raleigh 753 Frame Refurbishment

In this video I strip and respray a Ti Raleigh frameset in Reynolds 753 tubing. I’ve done my best to restore it as close as possible to original condition using a sticker kit purchased from H.Lloyd in England. The raw frame weighed in a 1.58kg’s, which is the lightest steel frame I’ve ever had in my workshop.

[@simoncycling6685]

Living in the UK...We take Raleigh for granted ,forgetting how many grand tours wins they achieved

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Raleigh’s were built under license here in South Africa as well but not to the standard of the SBDU frames. Majority of the frames built here were made from the Japanese Tange tubing with a few custom built ones made from Reynolds.

[@billkallas1762]

Just to show how much tube technology has improved over the years, my 20 year old main bike, is tig welded out of a True Temper OX Platinum/853 mix, and weighs the same 1.6kg. It weighs much less than my 1995 Bianchi TSX UL.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Interestingly enough, it weighs the same as my Bianchi EL frame.

[@paulconnelly9206]

Justice! You did it. Awesome renovation .Brings back memories.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Glad you liked it!

[@thomasqqcouperji4491]

I have a Raleigh road ace 531 C 1983 600ax group set very light polar blue had it since new still,rides nice

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Lovely bikes and well constructed 👍🏼

[@wayneluyt4089]

Stunning job Brett

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

thanks bud 👍🏼

[@Touringtim]

Fantastic job on a classic frame

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 👍🏼

[@marksmatchhoxmemories-xd6qp]

when i close my eyes, you sound the spit, of a mate of mine,m Errol from johannesberg, he was a top fligh tech, as well :)

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Errol sounds like an awesome guy 😉😁👍🏼

[@marksmatchhoxmemories-xd6qp]

@@BuffsVintageBikes lol crazy dude, something a kfays carrying me bigs (bags) or something lol, you know what i mean lol ;)

[@ciaranpringle9082]

Stunning work and peerless craftsmanship. The frame looks better now than it did when it was brand new!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, appreciate the support 👍🏼

[@bicyclist2]

At first I was a big fan of the patina that it had. I've seen a lot of bikes get ruined by complete amateurs in the US. This is seriously impressive. I'm so glad that there are people like this keeping old bikes going. I'm surprised to see that someone is making the original frame stickers. I've seen a few "restored" and "resto-moded" Italian bikes on ebay, and they put all new, high end modern parts on them. I'm very glad to see that this old frame was kept very original. If I ever needed an older bike restored, I'd want to send it to you, or someone with equivalent skills. I hope to do some work like this some day. This is the first time seeing a video from this channel. Please keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video 🙏🏼👍🏼 Where possible, I always prefer to restore a bike as close to original as possible, especially if the bike is a collectors piece.

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

That was a fantastic restoration. You must have been very pleased with the outcome in the end. I was ...👍

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, I am rather pleased with the result, more so because it’s a bike I’ll be keeping and riding 😄👍🏼

[@dinodaniel2237]

Beautiful workmanship Buff. Will you video the build on the frame? As usual looking forward to your next video. All the best!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Dino, I probably won’t do a video of the full build but maybe just a “short” of the final build 👍🏼

[@smaug3045]

I got a 753 about 27 years ago, still ride it, beautiful ride.

[@IverKnackerov]

Lovely frame and great resto vid 👍

[@LanceMcGrew]

18:20 interesting why the new decal has a forward slash / between 1978 79 compared to original. Also the new decal is missing the periods between TI compared to original and a dot between T.I. • RALEIGH.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Yeah sadly they weren’t exact replicas but very close.

[@budchestnut9303]

Excellent, If you were not so far away I would have you quote on my 1972 Mercian Road Pro with 3" spearpoints.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 🙏🏼 👍🏼

[@anthonykelly5]

fantastic job well done watching from ireland still got my raleigh 753.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks, it’s a fantastic ride. I took mine out last weekend for the first time since restoring the frame and loved it 👌🏼

[@mikes1841]

Absolutely stunning! Thanks for the video.

[@peterbennet7145]

Simply outstanding. Thank you. The best video I've seen on bike frame repainting. What;s the equipment you're using for the spraying and polishing ? Need to have a go myself after seeing this.

[@grumpygreyhound1549]

Lovely! Why was it so rusty on the fork crown? Had it spent its life in the UK? Surely it cannot have spent its life in South Africa? I hear cars are rust-free there and RHD.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

I suspect the bike might have been hanging in a garage under a leak as the rest of the frame looked okay. Fortunately the rust was all external.

[@antonjacobs7718]

Great work Brett...lots of work going into this. well done.

[@jeremyrichards8327]

I have a Carlton frame and they were bought by Raleigh. I believe Fignon's racing Raleigh frames were the result of the takeover having absorbed Carlton. I believe their frame expert was Gerald O'Donovan.

[@popo978]

Wonderful work! Was wondering, did the original 753 sticker on the seattube say it was produced by Ti Reynolds Limited 531? If so that is extremely interesting.

[@peteelliott2446]

TI is tube investments used to drive by factory in Ilkeston on my way to work. Lovely work well done

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Pete and thanks for the info, I wasn’t actually aware that it stood for Tube Investments 👍🏼

[@snakeindigo7085]

Meticulous!

[@damonvanopdorp2905]

When the frame was painted in the grey undercoat, it looked flat and perfectly geometric like a digital render of a model.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

I know right, I was tempted to keep it like that for a while 😁

[@trevorbozzer4562]

Beautiful work as always! Don’t see too many of those frames here in Calgary, Canada. One of my friends that I raced with had a lovely metallic blue Raleigh…I lusted for that bike until I got my Zullo😁 Then I got my Colnago Super and he was in my shoes 🤩. Keep up the great work…you are an inspiration for me to restore my Giame…

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words Trevor. We don’t get to see many of them in South Africa either so I was very excited to be offered this frame, even though it needed some work 👍🏼

[@johnbrereton5229]

A great job, even your chicken came out to see what you had done. 👍😎

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 👍🏼 That chicken feels the need to be involved in everything 😊

[@BleakVision]

Now that was therapeutic. Thank you.

[@germurphy4986]

Great work! I felt the weight of Raleigh 753 bike, ex pro, tubs and Super record and it was unbelievably light.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Incredible how light this frame is 👍🏼

[@urbanjungle9600]

Amazing attention to detail and a fabulous rebuild. You’re a true craftsmen. Thank for bringing the old bird back to life.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@anthonyharris483]

Nice. I can't wait to get my Reynolds 853 back from the powdercoaters. I created my own Kona Explosif decals replicated but they are also reflective.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Nice, good luck with the resto 👍🏼

[@eddierodden]

Would be good to know the weight or the likely weight of the bike once it is ride ready.

[@lindajesse8250]

I wonder what group set might complement that fine frame. Maybe an early black grand comp pair of levers with the classic inlaid gold writing to start!😊

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

1st generation Campagnolo Super Record would be ideal

[@SkyhawkSteve]

Nice work! I've got a slightly earlier SBDU 753 frame, and I don't see any signs of a clearcoat. That wasn't really something that Raleigh did back then. The decals were pretty fragile, and a lot of them were waterslide transfers. They look a lot like paint, and are raised above the paint. As you note, the craftsmanship in the frame was far above typical "factory" standards, and roughly what would be expected from a custom frame builder. Lovely bikes!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

You’re correct, I think they stayed away from clear coat to get the frame as light as possible so probably painted it in a gold lacquer rather than a 1K base coat as I did.

[@christophergrinton4035]

Great workmanship, Buff, right down to your own vintage ‘restored by…’ decal; love your work.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Chris, appreciate the kind words 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@gordonav]

Howzit, great work, thanks for sharing. So, at 13.52 you are 800 water-papering AFTER your 2x clear coat - does this not take your clear coat off?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

No, if you’ve applied your clear coats correctly, the 800 water paper is not aggressive enough to sand through it. Obviously if you go wild on it you can sand through but the idea is just to flat that clear down well enough to have a smooth layer to apply the final clear coat.

[@leica842]

Outstanding work! Could you share what you do to deal with rust? Both internally and externally. As well as preventative. Its always a surprise to see how these old steel frames can be restored to literally new. The steel having chromium is almost stainless.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

In this case the rust was all external so I simply had it blasted out and applied the etch primer.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

Beautiful work. Irestored a bike from 1986 so can relate.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@RuffneckBizniz]

Awesome work beautiful frame

[@BobDoherty]

This was amazing. I have a couple of questions. Is the rust on the fork crown concerning at all considering the thinness of the 853 tubing? Also, why do you use water while sanding the clear coat? Thanks!!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼 I was concerned about the rust at first but after blasting I could see that most of it was on the forged part of the fork crown which is a lot thicker than the fork tubes. I have ridden the bike extensively since the restoration and it’s shown no signs of being compromised in any way 👍🏼 I use water and water paper to reduce the dust and because I’m literally taking off a few microns of clear coat. I don’t want the paper to be too aggressive otherwise it will burn through the clear coat.

[@markfriesen1435]

Just came back and re-watched this great refurb to inspire me to do the same treatment to a lovely Vitali frame. I wish there was more content coming from you Brett!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words Mark 🙏🏼 I wish I had more time available for these videos as well but this sadly remains my hobby for now rather than something that pays the bills. Maybe one day 😉😁

[@benc8386]

Beautiful work! Was the 1.58kg including the fork? Just wondering what gauge the tubing is. They used some very thin walls back in the day (and ofc 753 was the strongest alloy available).

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you. No, the weight was frame only.

[@giedriuskavaliauskas9695]

I'm really glad to have found your videos, they are very detailed and I really like you also mention products you use. Can you please share a bit more about the polishing technique? I saw you use 2 different types of polishing wheel - sponge and wool. Do you use them for different purpose (cut, finishing) with different compounds? What kind of speed and pressure you apply? From experience I tend to be very careful with wool wheels, they can burn through clear coat quite fast.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, glad you’re enjoying the videos 👍🏼 So the soft dimpled sponge pad is for compound and polishing (1 step process, the compound I use cuts and polishes). Then I apply a wax based polish to protect the paint and use the wool pad to buff that wax off. Speed is just an experience thing, too slow and it doesn’t cut and polish enough and too fast and you burn through. My polisher has a variable speed controller so I unfortunately can’t tell you how fast it goes but I’d guess it about half to 3/4 pull on the lever is enough.

[@giedriuskavaliauskas9695]

@@BuffsVintageBikes thank you for sharing, I'll experiment more and maybe give a chance wool pad one more time

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

@@giedriuskavaliauskas9695 Remember the wool pad is just to remove the wax so move it quickly so it doesn’t have chance to build up heat and burn through.

[@johndillon8051]

That color looks very close to the Raleigh International that I bought in 1974. It was called Champaign, and it may have been a bit lighter in tone.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Quite possibly lighter. It was difficult to colour match as you have to take into account the UV damage on the old paint.

[@kogcyc]

thank you for taking care of a treasure

[@haemstah]

Great vid! Just purchased a Time Trial Special frameset. Going to be fun researching components to build it up.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Awesome, best of luck with the project 👍🏼

[@DevoteeCT]

A very nice restoration! I have a question. I noticed you flattened the lacquer after two coats before you applied the decals. Is necessary to do so? I have some decals to apply in my restoration process, but several of them have clear portions, so I am worried how flattening the lacquer would effect the clarity underneath the decal. Do you think flattening the lacquer might make those decals appear dull/grey under the clear parts in my case?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

If you want a professional finish this is the best way to achieve it as it removes all orange peel from your clear coat before you apply the coats to protect your decals and it allows your final clear to adhere better to the base clear. No, flatting the clear down till it’s dull will not affect how your finishes looks after you apply final clear, that’s the beauty of 2K clear, if fills in the fine scratch marks from the water paper. Just don’t sand through it onto your base coat.

[@DevoteeCT]

@@BuffsVintageBikes I see. I didn't consider the problem of orange peel. You highlighted my problem...because two of the decals I am using are partially clear, the 2K clear coat will not be able to fill the scratched area under the decals once they are fixed. I suppose what I'll do is flatten most of the clear coat except where those decals will go, clean, affix the decals, and flatten up to the edges of the decals before applying the last two clear coats. Thank you for your reply and advice. Looking forward to more of your videos.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

@@DevoteeCT You can apply your clear decal over the flatted area, you won’t notice the difference once you apply final clear. The adhesive on the actual decal covers the scratches even before you apply the clear. I’ve done it often without any issues 👍🏼

[@redditchscroller7049]

The Raleigh Medale bikes we had here in the UK used to be that colour, I wonder if it could be one of them? I still own a 1994 model Raleigh Randonneur touring bike that was handmade at their special products division in Worksop in Nottinghamshire. One day I will get round to restoring it and getting it back out on the road where it belongs!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

I’m not sure, it would be interesting to know. All the best with your resto, it’s worth it in the end 👍🏼

[@jonathanlord5254]

My 1980 Pearson of Sutton U K is the gold colour you mention 531 with similar lug work to Raleigh, i fitted Galli high polished roller bearing chain set, Campag small flange hubs and Record gears, Universal brakes, Cinelli bars and stem, Edco competition roller bearing head set. It needs new transfer set and front forks to be repainted or chromed to restore it which i am now motivated to do. Thank you and Brett.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

@@jonathanlord5254 Sounds like a lovely bike built with quality components 👌🏼

[@terrykeller5495]

Howzit bud, I live in England and will be visiting family in Cape Town towards the end of August. If you need any bits brought over, let me know and I will bring them out for you. Keep up the good work.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you Terry, that’s very kind of you to offer 🙏🏼👍🏼 If there’s anything that pops up I’ll let you know for sure, maybe just a few small items from Velo Heaven, things like crank arm dust caps etc. 👍🏼

[@paultomlinson528]

Behond words... just stunning and those forks.... wow😊

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Paul, the bike rides like a dream as well 👌🏼👍🏼

[@sbaddison]

That is glorious👏🏻😎

[@stickmenkissarmy6907]

Wow, she is beautiful 🎉🎉🎉 thank you for sharing this bicycle 🚲

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, glad you liked it 👍🏼

[@mechanicalmanny494]

I’m on the US east coast I’ll have the money ready for you no question ask, you’ll be escorted off the plane by two gentlemen no worries here your safety is my concern just make sure the bike is well covered. 😎

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

🤣🤣🤣 thanks for a good laugh 😂 👍🏼

[@gemini8675]

Very nice restoration the quality and attention to detail second to none.

[@Rafiki506VaDeRide]

Greetings from Costa Rica Congratulations, you have done an impressive job. It fills me with happiness to see something so well done. Thank you very much for sharing your skills.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@cr-motube6852]

NICE!!! Congratulations!!!

[@Magoo1039]

A beautiful restoration of a classic frame! Well done Sir!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed the video 👍🏼

[@ericbasson768]

After watching I may want to have my old TI frame repaired and "Buffed" 😀.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

They all deserve our love & attention 😉😁👍🏼

[@gren509]

I know that Holdsworth used to use "Letraset" transfers to mark their frames. It was a rub-on transfer, that left only the colour and almost no glue. Maybe the black transfers on this were the same ?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

That’s very interesting, I wasn’t aware of that technique being using. It could very well be a possibility, thank you 👍🏼

[@Masiman01]

The Real Trick is to apply your finish in a thin coat so-as to capture the impeccable lug work & brazing on this frame! BRAVO! Well done!! Please do another Vid showing us the final build.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you. It’s always tricky to get that right, especially when the shorelines on the lugs are so thin but luckily that gold paint lays on really thin so that helped 👍🏼

[@danielcgomez]

I had one of these back in the early 90s ...great simple bike. Thanks for restoring this piece of history! :)

[@meneldil7604]

sadly raleilgh are not what thay once where same with most uk based manufactures

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Sad indeed.

[@danielnascimento6945]

Very good work, just needed to assemble it.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Been assembled for some time now and rides beautifully 👌🏼

[@fabianosousasantos7998]

Perfeito em todos os detalhes .

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

Wow! Nice work

[@_stoatchaser]

This excites me

[@marksmatchhoxmemories-xd6qp]

lloyds decals, are the mutts nuts, ibe used them on 2 rebuilds.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Agreed, really great quality 👌🏼

[@bluztime5271]

Beautiful

[@doylerabjohn3435]

As I always said, your restoration work....as usual is top notch quality. If I ever run cross that antique (1970's or 80's) I have to have. It will heading to South Africa for a restoration.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, appreciate the support 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@glennwilson2898]

Beautiful

[@and6239]

Beautiful

[@jffgrnlw]

Stunning!

[@Lisbikes]

Good job!

[@Marcus-us3ws]

Nice !

[@thomasqqcouperji4491]

Object of beauty class restoration

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 👍🏼

[@andrecallison]

Stunning video. What amazing care and attention, I think I speak for all your subscribers when I say: Baie dankie. 😊

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, “dis ‘n groot plesier” 😉😁👍🏼

[@craigfouche]

Well done Brett, subbed to your channel!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks bud, welcome to my addiction 😉

[@tommyo4u2c]

Very Nice. Nice job on the Head badge !

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you, that’s a huge compliment coming from you, I love your work 👌🏼🙌🏼

[@felixjackson2670]

Perfection...I went to the TI Raleigh workshop in Ilkeston during mid 1970’s with a friend,who was having a frame built and met Gerald O Donovan. Great to see this wonderful frame being restored so beautifully.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you. That must have been a great experience 👍🏼

[@felixjackson2670]

@@BuffsVintageBikes Was good. My buddy got his frame built and came to visit. Put bike outside in the garden and came in to the house,only to see his bike blown over and came to rest with top tube on a wheelbarrow,resulting in a small dent on his brand new frame. He still has that bike now! Built with Campag Super Record,covered in dust on a turbo trainer!

[@michaelgoulden7348]

Brett, you are by far the best restorer of bikes I have ever seen. Another beautiful job. Baie lekker!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you Michael, glad you enjoyed the refurb 🙏🏼👍🏼

[@grootkaroo9721]

Baie smart💯

[@rickmtbhaywood2311]

Stunning job are going to build it up ..

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

I am yes, just not sure with what yet.

[@johnsall6274]

This bike was really easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.

[@geraldwilliams860]

Beautifull frame and refurb

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 👍🏼

[@lindajesse8250]

I’m liking that South African breeze playing with the table cloth.😊

[@gerhardviljoen8739]

Awesome restoration! Love how that golden frame shimmers in the golden South African sun 🌞!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks bud, hopefully it will cruising the tar roads of the sunny Cape with you soon 😁👍🏼

[@44DarrylD]

Another absolutely stunning job Brett. 🏆🥇🏅🏆 You can collect all the rewards for this one.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks bud 👍🏼

[@michaelhamilton1290]

Beautiful work! Well done.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Michael 👍🏼

[@RuanOrjustRu]

Wooowwwww! Awesome work, Brett!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks bud 👊🏼

[@leonprozesky]

Great job.... the frame and the restorer are both the lightest ever in the workshop

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

LOL… not quite but getting there 😉 Thanks 👊🏼

[@MYnextDIYbikePROJECT]

Amaizing work. Really love the details and your knowledge.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 👍🏼 I can see your projects are improving all the time as well, keep it up 🙌🏼

[@johndavies6277]

As always, a beautiful restoration Brett. Your videos are so relaxing to watch, they show that careful preparation produces an amazing finished item.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks John. The devil is certainly in the details, proper prep work makes all the difference.

[@zaphod_beeblerox]

awesome work!, is there a paint code for that color?

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks. No sorry, I matched it off a swatch.

[@zaphod_beeblerox]

@@BuffsVintageBikes thanks mate

[@bg-jo7kj]

Amazing. Your work is getting better and better

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

what a beautiful job - top, tpo work as always 🙂 I remember lusting after a Raleigh Gran Sport back in the early 80's. not a 753 frame (it was 531) but finished in that lovely gold colour and fitted with a Campag GS groupset

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thank you 🙏🏼 I’m pretty sure their 531 frames are equally as impressive in terms of build quality 👍🏼

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

@@BuffsVintageBikes I don't think they were up to teh quality of the SBDU frames. Incidentally, there's an old channel on YT called My TI-Raleigh SBDU which is quite interesting. He hasn't posted for 2 years or so, so I guess his Mrs put a stop to his frame buying!!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

@@duringthemeanwhilst LOL… I’ve watched all his videos, very knowledgeable fella on the history of the SBDU frames 👍🏼

[@goober650NX]

Very impressive work and attention to detail. Clearly shows that the result is a product of the input applied. Great job. Subscribed. Thanks for making the video and for taking the time to upload.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks for the kind words and I appreciate the positive feedback 👍🏼

[@Edsonvier646]

Ficou linda de mais ❤

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Obrigado 👍🏼

[@peterharrer3261]

Great work, Brett. Just found an '86 Gran Prix and you've inspired some ideas.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks Peter. Great to hear, good luck with the resto 👍🏼

[@bobschwarz702]

Absolutly beautiful. Great work.

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks 👍🏼

[@robertdewar1752]

This is fantastic. Great to see someone appreciate the quality, and do it justice. Keep up the good work!

[@BuffsVintageBikes]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words 👍🏼