Classic & Vintage - Todays find, a half decent one I think!?

Regular junk guy gives me a whistle, I go over and he has this, pics are as found, I havnt done a thing to it yet, let me know what you guys think.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy010.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy009.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy008.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy007.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy006.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy005.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy004.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy003.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy002.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy001.jpg

Three more pics :) (including one of my foot! LOL!)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy013.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy012.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/ralieghcampy011.jpg

That thing is a piece of s**t! - PM me and I'll give you my details so you can pass it on to me...:)

I think you done good. The drilled Uni levers are interesting.

That was definitely some bike porn. You started off vague and then moved onto the "naughty" bits.

Good catch, sir!

Regular junk guy gives me a whistle

Man I want a regular junk guy!

let me know what you guys think

I think it's my size!

You're only allowed to ride it ghetto :)

Nice, NICE find! Amazing dumpster find.

Raleigh Professional with mostly Campy, very very nice ... but I don't get it, what's with the cheap looking platform pedals?

My bike has those same Universal Super 68 brakes. The quick-release lever is handy for getting the wheels on and off.

Interesting handlebar position, to each his own ...

Also, if you don't have any use for the Suntour Cyclone rear derailleur, please PM me ... my Cyclone FD is looking for a mate.

Nice catch! Yesterday near the end of my ride, I came upon an older guy with a Bell Biker helmet, riding a Raleigh International in similar condition (but the bars weren't upturned). I made an appreciate comment about his bike, and he made an appreciative comment about my Brooks Pro saddle, but nothing about my aged patina Capo!

Neal

Looks kind of like the tweaker bike I saw.

Nice! Definitely worth restoring!

Thanks all for the comments, I just looked at the drops, campy front and rear! :)

I like it Just my size too.

More like decent-and-a-half! Can you believe what some people throw away? Good thing you were there to catch it!

More like decent-and-a-half! Can you believe what some people throw away? Good thing you were there to catch it!

Thanks to my "junk man" he told me he was waved down by a man and asked him to take all the "junk" out of his basement, he got this bike, a few junker girls frames, and a few washers, he was more than happy to sell this one to me, he told me he doesnt care what they are worth, just so long as he makes more than what the scrap yard will give him :)

Luc\ky catch man, I'd be really jealous if it were my size hehe. Wasn't the proffesional the top of raleighs line up? Doesnt have chrome lugs which is a shame, but no big deal I guess!

Luc\ky catch man, I'd be really jealous if it were my size hehe. Wasn't the proffesional the top of raleighs line up? Doesnt have chrome lugs which is a shame, but no big deal I guess!

Yeah, chrome lugs would be sweet! but Im not complaining! :D Im going to be trading this for a frame and fork of like "yummy goodness" in my size (53-55?) so if anyones got anything with Campy drops, F/R deraillers, crankset, and so on please let me know :) also, Ive never been measured for a frame, can anyone tell me the correct way of doing this?

Ive never been measured for a frame, can anyone tell me the correct way of doing this?

There are various fit methodologies and debates about whether they work ... this (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO) is the most precise and complete free online fit calculator I've found. Which is not to say it's accurate or not. It gave me a reading that I should be riding a smaller frame than I have, in more of a racing style fit/position.

There are various fit methodologies and debates about whether they work ... this (http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO) is the most precise and complete free online fit calculator I've found. Which is not to say it's accurate or not. It gave me a reading that I should be riding a smaller frame than I have, in more of a racing style fit/position.

YES, it's one of the easiest and more comprehensive than most.I've compared the reults I'd obtained with those of other shops etc. It works,It offers three different realms of fit,I'd stick to the "race" fit,the others are nice to consider for a comparison,they let me know I had some latitude.I followed the race fit very,very closely though.

YES, it's one of the easiest and more comprehensive than most.I've compared the reults I'd obtained with those of other shops etc. It works,It offers three different realms of fit,I'd stick to the "race" fit,the others are nice to consider for a comparison,they let me know I had some latitude.I followed the race fit very,very closely though.

My main beef with this calculator is it told me I have the wrong size bike ... if it had confirmed that my bike was the right size for me, I would swear by this calculator! :lol:

Seriously though, aside from my personal issues, while the race fit (with handlebars well below the level of the seat) is clearly the best for aerodynamics and power in competition, isn't it uncomfortable and not really suitable for the average person riding recreationally?

Well, that's the nail on the coffin for whatever was left of my liking of Carlton-built machines...

-Kurt

Well, that's the nail on the coffin for whatever was left of my liking of Carlton-built machines...

-Kurt

Call me an idiot, but I truly dont know what to make of this comment? what does it mean? :)

Call me an idiot, but I truly dont know what to make of this comment? what does it mean? :)

A humorous little knock at Carlton for their lug lining and finishing - and my general dislike of their sloppy work.

:p

-Kurt

A humorous little knock at Carlton for their lug lining and finishing - and my general dislike of their sloppy work.

:p

-Kurt

Sometimes Im a little slow....but just a little :D

Unbelievable! I've been looking for something just like this, a decent 531 frame with eyelets for fenders and someone just hands it to you?!? I guess it is a frame made for 27" wheels, is that right? I need one for 700c but still, that is a great bike.

That old girl has potential, I can't wait to see the pictures after you clean it up & treat the rust with oxalic acid. You owe the junk guy a six pack for sure. Don

Unbelievable! I've been looking for something just like this, a decent 531 frame with eyelets for fenders and someone just hands it to you?!? I guess it is a frame made for 27" wheels, is that right? I need one for 700c but still, that is a great bike.


Whats the best way to tell the wheel size without actually trying a wheel on? I dont have any 700c or 27 inches handy :o

Whats the best way to tell the wheel size without actually trying a wheel on? I dont have any 700c or 27 inches handy :o

1970s Raleigh Pro (which is what yours is) would have 700c wheels. The third digit of the serial # under the bottom bracket should tell you the year.

Neal

Unbelievable! I've been looking for something just like this, a decent 531 frame with eyelets for fenders and someone just hands it to you?!? I guess it is a frame made for 27" wheels, is that right? I need one for 700c but still, that is a great bike.

700c it is, I need one just like it but 54c........

1970s Raleigh Pro (which is what yours is) would have 700c wheels. The third digit of the serial # under the bottom bracket should tell you the year.

Neal

The numbers "G3847" what does that make it?

The numbers "G3847" what does that make it?

1972 according to http://www.retroraleighs.com/dating.html

Neal

1972! Cool! Thanks for the info!

I'm SOOOOOO jealous. And so glad that a great frame like that didn't make it to the recycle center and landed up where it belongs, with someone who appreciates what that frame is all about.
But, ilikebikes, think about this scenerio. Right now some old cyclist returns home to find his beloved granddaugter saying "Gramps, we finally got rid of that old bike you had in the garage to make room for more Christmas decorations". Fast forward to news headlines, "Grandpa attacks grand-daughter with pedal wrench. Mumbles something about you through out my Raleigh, you through out my Raleigh".:D

I'm SOOOOOO jealous. And so glad that a great frame like that didn't make it to the recycle center and landed up where it belongs, with someone who appreciates what that frame is all about.
But, ilikebikes, think about this scenerio. Right now some old cyclist returns home to find his beloved granddaugter saying "Gramps, we finally got rid of that old bike you had in the garage to make room for more Christmas decorations". Fast forward to news headlines, "Grandpa attacks grand-daughter with pedal wrench. Mumbles something about you through out my Raleigh, you through out my Raleigh".:D


:roflmao:

That is a sweet ride! Campy and SunTour, nice combo. But those chainrings, oysh, they're kinda clumsy looking.
I agree with Kurt and these Carlton frames. They all seem to be "Friday" bikes. But they sure are puuuurty.

Some druggie skunked up a beautiful Raleigh pro. No doubt it was stolen sometime in the past.

Well, at least the wheels are missing.:p ;) The amount of luck you have is astounding, sir.,,,,BD


I will pass along the comment someone came up with when I found the 83 Trek 560 for $10. You suck!:D

Some druggie skunked up a beautiful Raleigh pro. No doubt it was stolen sometime in the past.

Actually when I moved into this area it was made up of like 90% Germans and a few English and Irish too, so the chances of it being left there by the owner are as good as the chances that some "druggie" skunked up a beautiful Raleigh Pro, also, why is it that,"theres no doubt that it was stolen sometime in the past?" Geez! my Philthadelphia is bad, but its not the bowels of hell! :roflmao: I know, Ive seen the bowels of hell! :(

That is a sweet ride! Campy and SunTour, nice combo. But those chainrings, oysh, they're kinda clumsy looking.
I agree with Kurt and these Carlton frames. They all seem to be "Friday" bikes. But they sure are puuuurty.


The chainrings are stamped Campy, but I guess that doesnt make them the best looking! :roflmao:

I have no doubt that it was stolen. I'm sorry. I find it hard to beleive someone would have spent the equiv. of $3000 in today's money on a bike, and then trashed it as baddly as this example. My brother has one and I know how much owners love their Raleighs Professionals. Do you see how the handle bars were turned up? That is how ALL the druggies here in South Jersey do to there stolen bikes.
Someone who actually paid for their bike would not do thus to such a beauty unless they were total ass*****.

I have no doubt that it was stolen. I'm sorry. I find it hard to beleive someone would have spent the equiv. of $3000 in today's money on a bike, and then trashed it as baddly as this example. My brother has one and I know how much owners love their Raleighs Professionals. Do you see how the handle bars were turned up? That is how ALL the druggies here in South Jersey do to there stolen bikes.
Someone who actually paid for their bike would not do thus to such a beauty unless they were total ass*****.
Careful, dude, not everyone who turns their handlebars up is a thief.

The '62 Continental I recently restored, looked about the same as ilikebikes' Raleigh and had its bars up and a big matress seat gracing it's frame. Barnie, the original owner, turned up the bars and added the saddle when he hit 70, because, as he told me, "I couldn't bend over and my prostate was shot." Barnie is now 85 and dying from cancer. Anyway, when I showed him the picture below, tears came to his eyes and he told me, "Pastor, it sure is nice to see that bike look like it did the day I brought it home from the Schwinn dealer."
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p71/pastorbobnlnh/Continental/Campagnoloed%20Continental/ContinentalApr907.jpg

I have no doubt that it was stolen. I'm sorry. I find it hard to beleive someone would have spent the equiv. of $3000 in today's money on a bike, and then trashed it as baddly as this example. My brother has one and I know how much owners love their Raleighs Professionals. Do you see how the handle bars were turned up? That is how ALL the druggies here in South Jersey do to there stolen bikes.
Someone who actually paid for their bike would not do thus to such a beauty unless they were total ass*****.


Sounds to me like its a lot easier for you judge a book by its cover than to read through the pages and find the truth in the story, so Ill let this conversation end with you believing your comments to be gospel above all others, Ill let everyone else make their own decision about the whole thing, I for one have seen lots of people, (druggies included) riding sweet bikes with upturned bars, if I thought the way you do, they would all be drug attics? wow, what a sad world it would be if that were the truth of it :( ;) Thanks for the comment pastorbob :)

Thanks for the comment pastorbob
Glad to help out. A good lesson in life I've learned is to try one's best to judge less and listen more. BTW, Barnie was never a drug user nor a thief, just a longshoreman.

Nice work Bob! BTW, we are thinking of passing through NH this summer, sometime around 8/12 or so. Details to follow when we actually have details :)

Man... I can't buy a Campy crankset off eBay and you're gettin' 'em off the junk guy.

Where's the justice?

Man... I can't buy a Campy crankset off eBay and you're gettin' 'em off the junk guy.

Where's the justice?

Justice!? The bike gods toy with me by sending me awsome bikes that dont fit me and you ask "wheres the justice!" :cry: :roflmao: "Oh mighty bike gods, please here me, stop fooling around and send me a cool bike in my size!" :lol:

Ah, memories! Those bars have a similar pose as the bars on my Paramount find in January.

A humorous little knock at Carlton for their lug lining and finishing - and my general dislike of their sloppy work.

I know a few people who were into bikes in the mid 70s who say the Raleigh Professional was their dream bike that they wanted more than anything, but invariably settled for a Competition, International, or worse, a PX10. I figured there must be something really special about it, from the half dozen or so people that talked it up, so I got really excited when I happened upon a 1977 Professional frame and fork in the basement of former bike shop. After taking it home and cleaning it off, (it had been sitting perilously close to a rusty mud puddle that had claimed a Centurion) I took a closer look at the construction, and was immediately disappointed. I was all pumped up for something really amazing and it was just sloppy. Lugs that looked like they were lined by a blind person, seatstay caps that overlapped because they were never filed, some voids in the seatstay attachment, burrs in the seat tube, etc.

Then I built it up as a fixed gear, and rode it a hojillion miles. It's still the bike that I reach for when I "just want to ride". Even with a much "nicer" road bike sitting right next to it. The finish doesn't really affect how much I love riding it. At least the alignment was good!

However, that doesn't excuse Carlton for doing such a crappy job.

Glad to help out. A good lesson in life I've learned is to try one's best to judge less and listen more. BTW, Barnie was never a drug user nor a thief, just a longshoreman.

In other words, a hard working member of society who paid his dues, and who obviously enjoyed his bike.

Bittersweet story, Pastor Bob.

By the way, there's a new person in the Introductions forum who's from New Hampshire...I provided a link to your nice thread on the Schwinns ready to go out for a spring ride...

East Hill

Sorry pastor. I guess you've got a point there. Let's just say: great find! I hope you restore it to like new!