I found myself two matching Raleigh Portages that spent their lives on the back of an RV travelling Canada, and have since rescued one into a new life as my daily commuter.
The bike was disassembled right down to the nuts and bolts and then rebuilt. I used WD-40, rust converter, steel wool, a wire wheel, and patience to clean the rust off and then polished the bits with a metal polish/protectant.
I cleaned the frame, sprayed rust inhibiter into it, and then did two coats of clear coat to protect it further. The bottom bracket, headset, and wheel bearings have all been cleaned and re-greased.
The ride now has some new tires, seat post and a new-to-me saddle, cables and housings, brake pads, and grips, but the rest is all original. I added my frame bag and do about 100km a week commuting on it. I was able to some of the work at home, and used a community bike shop to complete the things I don't have the tools for there.
This was my first ever project of this sort.
by djinnwithagrin