Hi guys i am so chuffed i got a xl yesterday and went out for a spin last night and this morning around Faversham, made me grin from ear to ear.  Only problem is the front wheel is real wobbly just slips up and down should i post in technical section?

Hi mate and welcome to the forum, sounds like you have had some fun already on you xl!    yeah, grifters do tend to put a big smile on your face!! all those memories from long ago come flooding back!! if your wheel is wobbling from left to right it will be you spindle/axle, a simple fix! just take it off hold and turn the square nuts clockwise on both sides of the axle till the play is gone! dont over do it or the wheel will not spin freely!  

Cool thanks for the advice dude, when it came i had to put the front wheel on and it was a bugger i had to take the whole brake assembly off and the front mudguard etc.  Is there an easier way to do this, i am sure i am missing something and making things hard for myself (as usual).
When i was a kid my dad built me a grifter from parts of other grifters he found at the scrapper and i was the proudest kid ever, now i have an original i am over the moon (even if it is a bit battered)  I will post some pics as soon as i get the chance but i am really chuffed and it is cool to find a site full of like minded people.  I reckon i will be spending the next few weeks just searching through old posts.

No worries bud, hope you get it sorted!! good luck with the old gal! its quiet on here tonight but i am sure you will get a big welcome off all the other chaps on here very soon!! looking forward to seeing the pics! there are lots and lots of old posts to go through mate, i hope you have plenty of time on your hands!!..... good reading tho!!     P.s There is a much easier way to remove the front wheel..... let all the air out of the tyre first!!        not taking the mick mate! we just all like a laugh on here!! trust me, it will work!  

hello n welcome glad you've got yourself a griter and yes it does put a smile on your face when you go out on them (next time you go out take some pic's) most of all enjoy

Got it sorted and yes i did let the air out of the tyre (dont know why i didnt think of this ) thanks for the advice.
I have tightened up all the brakes and it is riding lovely now, no wheel wobble!  Are the breaks meant to stop the bike though becasue even though mine are nice and tight now, they just seem to slow me down until i come to a gentle stop.....Everything is original on the bike though and i dont think i want to replace them with new ones.  Not sure what to do?
I'll post some pics tonight so you guys can tell me what you think.

Glad you are all sorted now mate    your brake blocks could have some contamination such as light oil etc, depending on where the bike has been stored! i would try removing them, get some meths on a soft cotton cloth and cleaning them, or alternativley get some very light grade sandpaper and rub the blocks to take a layer off them refit them, it could well make the difference   it has worked for me in the past! let us know how you get on! looking forward to seeing the pics of the bike!  

MG]

[cit]justicewhittle wrote :

nice bike you have there dude and with some new redlines from ebay it will look even better!  

it is a nice one

4737carling can you post up a link to new tyrws on egay because i have no idea what sixe i need?  Many thanks, what are the tyre sizes anyway mine have perished beyond being able to see?  Many thanks

Very nice and clean!    should look mint with new redline tyres, if you have a raleigh dealer near you, pop in they will order them from their catalogue, the size is 20 x 2.125 they will set you back about 12 to 13 for the pair. where in the country are you by the way?

I'm based in Faversham in Kent and i think there is a raleigh dealer in Canterbury so i'll give them a bell tmrw and find out in they can get them in.

Nice part of the country   well if they are a raleigh dealer you should have no probs at all.   keep us all posted with your progress...

lovely condition xl mate

Thanx for the comments guys, i love bombing around on it its a bit rough around the edges but i thats what makes it cool in my eyes.