Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Grand Prix find

I have just rescued a Raleigh Gran Prix from the dumpster - its my size and has nice drop outs...it could become my first single speed.

Anyway, I was wondering about its age - the serial number is ND5293118 - which I understand means made in Nottingham, in March of either 1975 or 1985. I know so little about road bikes, but i am guessing it looks like it would be the 1975.

It is metallic blue, has Suntour gear levers [possibly not original] and Weinmann centrepull brakes 610 and 755. Would anyone know how I could tell which decade?

Thanks, Cal.

So I have found the 1985 and 1975 specs online.

The 1985 catalogue shows suntour levers - mine has suntour levers, so makes me think its the '85. However the rear derailleur is Shimano. So Maybe it has all been replaced.

However the catalogue also states 700 rims...mine has 27" rims.

The '75 catalogue shows 27" rims and Weinmann 999 brakes ...soooooo....I am thinking maybe it is the 75. Hard for me to know for sure so...any clues appreciated!

If you're lucky, Kurt will find this thread.

Don't give up hope...pictures would be nice, though :D .

Oh, and welcome to both BF and the Classic & Vintage forum!

East Hill

Thanks - I don't know Kurt but maybe if we say Kurt's name enough Kurt will hear us and come to my aid?

Here is a pic, but being a newbie I haven't worked out how to get a pic under 100kb without it being a thumbnail!

Cal.

PS I don't think the handlebars are original.....

And that fork isn't original either! Interesting seat angle, too. At any rate, it's a 70s Grand Prix based on the paint scheme and decals. Original equipment would have been Huret derailleurs with downtube clamp-on shifters, steel cottered crankset, and 27" steel rims, so it's been fairly modified (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Neal

And that fork isn't original either! Interesting seat angle, too. At any rate, it's a 70s Grand Prix based on the paint scheme and decals. Original equipment would have been Huret derailleurs with downtube clamp-on shifters, steel cottered crankset, and 27" steel rims, so it's been fairly modified (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Neal
Neal, I think you meant to say Simplex derailleurs. That's a 75 and I really like that color. My 74 is a British Green, not bad, but not lively like that blue. Interesting, the late 70s Grand Prix DID have Suntour deraillers, but that serial number and crankset says 1975. Nice find, especially for free. I'm not a big fixie fan, but that bike has had a number of alterations and those are nice frames. I'd say do what you must to keep that bike going. Good Luck with it.

Well, the mid 70's I think had hurets, and the earlier ones into the 60s had simplex. I just picked up a late 60's grand prix yesterday and it was all simplex, down tube clamp on shifters, Weinmann centerpulls and what not.

Your bike is definately from the 70s.

Neal, I think you meant to say Simplex derailleurs. That's a 75 and I really like that color. My 74 is a British Green, not bad, but not lively like that blue.

Concur. The Gazelle-made Grand Prix out in the shop is a year or two older and has the Simplex drivetrain comps. It's quite similar in the other frame details (decals, seatstay, steel crank, ect), but a lovely dark bronze green.
The '78 Woksop-made Super Grand Prix I once had was all Sun Tour, and that same shade of blue.
Top

Neal, I think you meant to say Simplex derailleurs.

Huret Challenger mechs are listed in the 1975 Raleigh catalog though it's not unusual for a swap to have been made at the dealer. Fwiw, the Raleigh Record is listed as having Simplex Prestige derailleurs.

Neal

Thanks guys! - Was hoping it was 75. It will come up a treat and make a very smart (and solid) commuting bike. The blue is very striking, but it will need repainting. It does seem to have original cottred cranks, however will be replacing these with something that will work with the threading.
Cal.

Well, the mid 70's I think had hurets, and the earlier ones into the 60s had simplex. I just picked up a late 60's grand prix yesterday and it was all simplex, down tube clamp on shifters, Weinmann centerpulls and what not.

Your bike is definately from the 70s.
Even going back to the early 70's the Record had the Huret All****, er, Allvit. totally painted forks, and wheel hubs with nuts while the Gran Prix had Simplex Prestige, chromed fork legs and quick releases on the wheels. At $100.00 for the Record and $125.00 for the Gran Prix in, say, 1972, you can see the value difference.

Raleigh ended up going with Japanese components in either the '77 or '78 model year (can't remember which) which were SunTour and the cheap SR 3-pin cotterless crank in place of the traditional steel cottered. The upgrade to SunTours on your bike were probably owner done - very normal, as the Prestige rear would probably get worn and sloppy after three years or so of riding. Anything European to SunTour was considered a major owner upgrade back in the early/mid 70's.

Huret Challenger mechs are listed in the 1975 Raleigh catalog though it's not unusual for a swap to have been made at the dealer. Fwiw, the Raleigh Record is listed as having Simplex Prestige derailleurs.

Neal
Sorry Neal, my mistake. My 74 has full Simplex and I thought Raleigh carried that set up one more year.

...has nice drop outs...And a really cool wrap-around seat stay treatment at the seat tube...

Thanks guys! - Was hoping it was 75. It will come up a treat and make a very smart (and solid) commuting bike. The blue is very striking, but it will need repainting. It does seem to have original cottred cranks, however will be replacing these with something that will work with the threading.
Cal.

Keep the cups and just replace the axle. You're other alternative is a Phil Wood bottom bracket, but I think those run something like $100.00, which I assume would be a budget buster.

...Raleigh ended up going with Japanese components in either the '77 or '78 model year (can't remember which) ...

It was '77. :)

Everybody started changing over to Japanese components around then, because (a) they were cheaper than the Euorpean components, and (b) they were far, far superior to the European components. A winning combination, and a no-brainer for the manufacturers, really.