1/9 Protar 1982 Raleigh Team Bicycle

[RancheroSteve]

Whew! Calling it done at last. One of the more difficult, impossible and nearly ridiculous kits I've ever tackled. Part metal, part plastic, part rubber, with tape, tubing, wire  and screws. Some of the plastic stuff I wish would have been metal, especially given the soft, yet fragile nature of the plastic. No matter, sometimes you gotta take what you can get and work with it!

My first attempt at real wire wheels (replacing the out of scale plastic castings that come in the kit). I also made the toe clips from sheet aluminum (alright, a beer can) and the seat rails from wire when the kit parts disintegrated. Since I figured I was putting some much time and effort into this, I also substituted a Top Studio 1/12 motorcycle chain for the kit piece - building that thing is another adventure! Paint is Testors Hemi Orange from the rattle can. I scratchbuilt the little stand (under the rear wheel) from brass to replace the goofy kit item.

Thanks for looking! Questions, comments, etc. welcome.

[afx]

Nice build Steve.  Would have a hard time telling its not a 1:1 bike from the photos.

[Dragline]

I was looking at a number of these the other day on eBay. They go for good money and the combo of metal attracted me. I gotta say it looks challenging.

 

BTW, you killed it as this looks great.

[Harry P.]

That's pretty impressive! Very nice work.

[cobraman]

Very nice ! You did a great job on this kit.

[Belugawrx]

Very realistic !!

Toe clips look great

Cheers

[unclescott58]

Very nice. Wow!

[Mike Kucaba]

Very nice work! Looks like it's set-up for a tall rider, What is the dimension from the top tube to the bottom bracket

[RancheroSteve]

Very nice work! Looks like it's set-up for a tall rider, What is the dimension from the top tube to the bottom bracket

I was just thinking today that I should measure it and scale it out! I'm 6'5" so I ride the tallest frame I can find (25 1/2" or 65cm) and still have a lot of seat post showing.

Thanks for the kind words, guys.

[MAGIC MUFFLER]

As an old bicycle racer myself, I say you did a fabulous job!!!!  It looks like someone could jump on and go for a ride - very realistic. 

[Sixties Sam]

Wow! That looks absolutely real! Great work. The wheels are great!

Sam

[peteski]

Very nice job - I have this kit (still unbuilt) and I know exactly how much work you put into those wheels.

Edited March 1, 2016 by peteski

[Agent G]

Beautiful work.

The photos are deceiving, it looks real!

G

[Ken Gilkeson]

turned out nice  ;-))

[RatRod]

That is really cool!!! Very clever build!

[vintagercr]

Very nice!

[Rob mayberry]

Steve, i just bought the protar 1/9 Raleigh Pro. bike kit on ebay, i remember those bikes as a young boy wanting the 25-1/2 raleigh  Professional Mk IV Blue Mink color bike, back then was $450.00 which back then to me was more like $4500.00 i too am tall 6'7" so the the 25-1/2 was as big as there was, i have since bought a custom Frame that fits, just wondering if you would build another set of wire wheels? not sure i have the chops to pull that off, THANKS  for sharing the pictures, looks great, after reading reviews, wondering what i got myself into

[RancheroSteve]

Steve, i just bought the protar 1/9 Raleigh Pro. bike kit on ebay, i remember those bikes as a young boy wanting the 25-1/2 raleigh  Professional Mk IV Blue Mink color bike, back then was $450.00 which back then to me was more like $4500.00 i too am tall 6'7" so the the 25-1/2 was as big as there was, i have since bought a custom Frame that fits, just wondering if you would build another set of wire wheels? not sure i have the chops to pull that off, THANKS  for sharing the pictures, looks great, after reading reviews, wondering what i got myself into

Back in '75 I could only afford a Raleigh Record myself - the bottom of the ten speed line at about $125, but I loved it just the same. Funny that you should mention the Professional Mk IV - I have one! The frame at least, and it's a 25 1/2", which fits me just right. Got lucky a few years ago, found it used and in need of attention. It had a bad re-paint, so I sanded it down and painted it a nice light metallic blue - a Duplicolor GM Pontiac color that is close the Blue Mink. It's now built up with nice modern components and is my "good" bike.

Good luck with the kit - it's a challenge for sure, but worth it, in my experience!

[Rob mayberry]

I remember the Record, i had the next one up, the super course, but always wanted the next one, international, them professional, would love to see your bike THANKS , Rob: always loved the raleigh's thhts why when i saw that kit, it took me way back late 70's, good times

[RancheroSteve]

I think the Grand Prix was one up, then the Super Course, perhaps?

[Harry P.]

That model could easily pass for the real deal.

[Mike C]

That's a great build! I remember those kits in the 80's.

[Rob mayberry]

I think the Grand Prix was one up, then the Super Course, perhaps?

You are correct, forgot all about the Grand Prix,40 + years ago, the memory fades a little

[peteski]

Super-realistic build. Very impressive!

I have one of those Protar 1:9 bicycle kits (different than yours) in my stash and I am also planning on redoing the spokes.  BTW, were the markings dry transfers instead of the usual waterslide decals?  If yes, how difficult were they to apply?

[RancheroSteve]

I have one of those Protar 1:9 bicycle kits (different than yours) in my stash and I am also planning on redoing the spokes.  BTW, were the markings dry transfers instead of the usual waterslide decals?  If yes, how difficult were they to apply?

Yes, there are several different versions of these Protar bike kits. It appears that there are a few common parts trees, so you'll end up with a bunch of extra parts. Just figuring out which parts are the ones to use for your particular version is a task!

The markings were just regular waterslide decals. Mildly troublesome (because of their age, perhaps), but nothing terrible.