Classic & Vintage - Still confused about "huffy" built Raleighs

I just searched the forum to review all the info about bikes Huffy built with Raleigh's name.

I picked up a Raleigh Racing USA, with "Raleigh 555SL" tubing stickers. It's red with yellow decals, chrome stays and adjustable dropouts. Cheap SR Custom components, with "Raleigh" etched in the BB lock ring and crank arms.

OK, so I know it's a Huffy, I know that the bicycle was assembled in the US, most likely Ohio.

What I want to know - for sure - where was frame made? Where and who manufactured the tubing?

Since the seat post is 26.6 - I'm going with the idea that is could be Reynolds 501 tubing. And that the frame was actually made in the USA by Huffy.

But, in 1983-84, True Temper was making tubing, and Tange had CrMo tubes sets like this as well.....

OK, so one more time - does anyone know exactly what "Raleigh 555SL" is? And if a frame is made of 555SL - where was likely to have been assembled? I can't believe that Asia ever produced frames using Reynold's tubes. I think the bike is more likely to be made with Tange or True Temper tubes........

The look-a-like Reynolds sticker was all part of the "Raleigh BS" for sales.

More than likely, the whole bike was made in Taiwan or Japan. The Ohio factory built anything with a one piece crank. Most SR "Custom" stuff I have had has been pretty good. YMMV.

I bet Kurt will be along with answers.

It sounds like you have Grand Prix.

Given the corporate tie between Raleigh and Reynolds, the similarity of the decal style and the fact that it a butted CrMO tubeset, would lead one to the assumption that 555SL is Reynolds 501. I used to think that, but someone has reportedly found Tange or Ishiwata impressions (I forget which) on some tubes. Also, the seat post size, implies a double butted seat tube as used by Tange and Ishiwata, as opposed to the single butted seat tube used by Reynolds. Lastly, the fine print on the tubing decal says "Designed and Enginneered in the USA by Raleigh Cycle Company of America". The implication being that it is a cutom tubeset, though it could still be based on existing tubesets. In the end, there will always be some speculation, unless someone from Raleigh provides a definitve answer or somebody submits a frame for destructive meansurement. Reagrdless, all three manufacturers made good tubesets.

My understanding is that Huffy never manufactured Raleighs. When they reached agreement with Raleigh, a separate company, Raleigh Cycle Company of America, was created, with the only tie to Huffy being a corporate one. The lugged steel frames were reportedly made in Japan and Taiwan, with a new factory in Kent Washington for the bonded Technium frames.

The actual source for your frame should be evident by the serial number. The Asian format is LNLNNNNN, where L= letters and N = numbers. If the first letter is an "M", the frame was made in Taiwan by Merida. If the first letter is an "N" it was made in Japan. We're not sure of the manufacturer, but it may be National, who made Panasonic. In both cases, the first number indicates the year of manufacture. The serial number format for the Kent frames is avialable on the Retro-Raleighs website.

I'm also surprised that there is no decal indicating the country of origin.

I forgot to mention that Asia did manufacture frames with Reynolds (and Columbus) tubesets. There is a recent thread regarding a 1982 Raleigh International MK II, with a Reynolds 531 frame, that was made in Japan. Lotus also had Columbus SL/SP frames manufactured in Japan by Tsunoda. Then there were numerous small volume/custom builders.

In the 1970s, the Japanese tubing manufacturers had a relatively poor reputation, outside of Japan. If you wanted to sell a good bicycle it needed Reynolds or Columbus. Tange and Ishiwata slowly built up their global reputation but in the early 1980s there was obviously enough prestige left in the Reynolds and Columbus names to warrant the extra cost of shipping tubing to Japan. Many pseudo-Japanese brands like Centurion and Nishiki even sub-contracted with Italian manufacturers to get Columbus frames.

I remember a time when Reynolds was so dominant that even big name Italian brands used Reynolds 531 on their top models.

Kurt and I had this same discussion a while back and he pointed out that indeed there is (or should be) a country of origin decal on the seat tube. Sure enough, it was there, but small and easily missed yellow lettering on a clear decal. Made in Taiwan in '84 or '85, I'll have to look again at the serial #.

The SR components are of typical quality but it's the cheesey Raleigh stick on labeling that screams Huffy!

Here's part of a page from Michael's Cyclery in Ames, IA, who sold these frames in the 80s. The circular I have is from mid-1985. If these frames were made by Huffy, or in Japan, then MC was lying! They were pretty specific in the rest of the brochure about origin/manufacture. And they sold these frames for $40 more than the Raleigh 531C frames made in England.

I have a mid-80s Raleigh frame made at Worksop (from the serial number) that has a cheesy downtube logotype (vinyl stick-on outline lettering, now peeling off, without clearcoat; so cheesy doesn't mean it wasn't made in England. The paint job other than this is quite nice. And photos I've seen of these 555 bikes make them look well-constructed, too. I'd buy one, no problem!

Where 555 came from, I don't know. Did Raleigh make some of their own DB tubing as well as buying it from Reynolds? And what does "RSL" mean -- Raleigh Super Light?

...I can't believe that Asia ever produced frames using Reynold's tubes. I think the bike is more likely to be made with Tange or True Temper tubes....

The Schwinn "Approved" Volare, sold in 1977-78, was built with Reynolds 531, in Japan. A very rare bike.
http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer20/1978/78ccpg11b.jpg

Here's part of a page from Michael's Cyclery in Ames, IA, who sold these frames in the 80s. The circular I have is from mid-1985. If these frames were made by Huffy, or in Japan, then MC was lying! They were pretty specific in the rest of the brochure about origin/manufacture. And they sold these frames for $40 more than the Raleigh 531C frames made in England.

I have a mid-80s Raleigh frame made at Worksop (from the serial number) that has a cheesy downtube logotype (vinyl stick-on outline lettering, now peeling off, without clearcoat; so cheesy doesn't mean it wasn't made in England. The paint job other than this is quite nice. And photos I've seen of these 555 bikes make them look well-constructed, too. I'd buy one, no problem!

Where 555 came from, I don't know. Did Raleigh make some of their own DB tubing as well as buying it from Reynolds? And what does "RSL" mean -- Raleigh Super Light?

Thank-you for bring this up. Now we are talking something different from the mass produced, Asian frames. Raleigh Cycle Company of America also offered replicas of the Levi's-Raleigh team bicycles. These frames were made in England and the 555RSL does appear to be Reynolds tubing, as the US Raleigh ads specifically mention Ti-Reynolds. The big distinguishing factor is the "R" in the tubing designation which could designate Raleigh England or Reynolds. The Asian bicycles used 555SL (racing), 555T (touring) or 555MT (ATB) but not 555RSL.

To confuse things even further, the real Levi's-Raleigh team frames were made in Canada by Marinoni. Despite what the tubing decals say, they were actually made with Columbus tubing, which was Marinoni's preference.

So, the known sources for US Raleighs from the Huffy era include Taiwan (Merida), Japan (National?), England (Raleigh) or if you're really fortunate, Canada (Marinoni). There may be even more sources that we are not aware of, yet. Check the country of origin decals or serial number to determine the source.

So, the known sources for US Raleighs from the Huffy era include Taiwan (Merida), Japan (National?), England (Raleigh) or if you're really fortunate, Canada (Marinoni). There may be even more sources that we are not aware of, yet.

A few very special Huffy Raleighs, like the aero framed bike ridden by John Marino in the first (1982) RAAM, some of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic bikes and allegedly some early 7/11 team bikes were custom built in the USA by frame builder Mike Melton.

Your chance of finding one of these bikes in your local Craigs List is poor.

TCS

A few very special Huffy Raleighs, like the aero framed bike ridden by John Marino in the first (1982) RAAM, some of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic bikes and allegedly some early 7/11 team bikes were custom built in the USA by frame builder Mike Melton.

Your chance of finding one of these bikes in your local Craigs List is poor.

TCS


Yes, you're right. The 1984 Olympic pursuit (indivivual and team) and 100k team time trial frames were built by Melton. They were built at the Huffy Tech Center and did bear Raleigh decals, so technically there were some Raleigh built by Huffy, though you couldn't buy them at the LBS.

I haven't seen anything about Marino's 1982 RAAM bicycle, but the Raleigh ads claimed that the bicycle ridden by Penseyres to 2nd place in the 1983 edition was a stock Prestige.

I recall the 7-Eleven team bicycles during this period being supplied by Murray (men's team) and Trek (women's team). I don't think Huffy got involved until after the agreement with Raleigh lapsed. I've seen Kellogg and Serotta named as builders of the Murray frames ridden by 7-Eleven.

Yes indeed this is the bike I'm talking about...........................
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=56759&d=1192633921

And yes - I should have clarified my remark about Reynolds Tube sets being sent to Asia for assembly. What I meant to say - is that there were no "big time" mass produced models, but of course some select upscale runs were available. I happened to have owned a number of good Japanese bikes - but none with Reynolds tubing.

Anyway - it has come to my attention that one "sort of unique" feature of this tube set is the "flickstand" braze on - underneath the downtube - just opposite the shifters....... And another odd thing - the adjustable droputs.

Seems queeer to me - but no really cheap bikes had adjustable drop outs that I know of - only Campy equipped or all Reynolds etc...

I can't remember many bikes with a flick stand braze on. Where and what other bikes in a low end price range ever had flick stand braze ons?

On a side note - I estimate this bike to have been price at - at least $299 - and maybe as much as $399.

Does anyone have know? I bought an identically equipped Centurion - for $299 in 1983. I also bought a Japanese Schwinn Superior for $279 in about 1977 or '78 .............

I recall the 7-Eleven team bicycles during this period being supplied by Murray (men's team) and Trek (women's team). I don't think Huffy got involved until after the agreement with Raleigh lapsed. I've seen Kellogg and Serotta named as builders of the Murray frames ridden by 7-Eleven.

Serotta became the official supplier of team bikes to 7-Eleven in 1983. The bikes were, of course, labeled "Murray" until '87, when Huffy took over sponsorship and the bikes became Serotta-Huffys. There were probably exceptions based on individual rider preferences, such as the Slawta-built bike Andy Hampsten rode in the Giro. I, too, have heard the stories about Kellogg building some of the Murray bikes, but I suspect those were probably Olympic Team bikes (perhaps track frames, which Kellogg is known for) rather than 7-Eleven bikes. Murray was the chosen brand for the USA cycling squad in '84. The vast majority of the 7-Eleven frames were certainly built by Serotta - and in fact sport a prominent Serotta decal on the chainstay. I own one of those bikes.

I'd really guess that the unusual numbers like 555 is to help hide the oriental origin of Raleigh USAs. 555 could easily be a "better" tube than 501 from one of the normal Japanese tube vendors - there are several other R-USA tube numbers that would be on models where one would expect that level tube.


Good call. As pointed out above there are actually different types of 555 tubing, 555SL and 555RSL being the most commonly encountered on road bikes. At the time, Raleighs were coming from Asia and England. The 555SL decals that appear on the Asian bikes specifically mention that it is Chrome-Moly tubing. At least some of these bikes are likely Tange, based on steerer tube stamping. Others could have been Ishiwata or 501. It would have made the most sense financially for Reynolds to have sourced the tubing locally, which the invention of "555" would have helped to obscure.
The point is that by using a blanket tubing designation, Raleigh had a lot of flexibility in sourcing materials and mixing and matching tubing with various models.
The 555RSL seems to appear only on the bikes still being built in England. The decal specifies Mang-Moly, and the tubing is probably 531. So these bikes, too, were part of the 555 "family" in which tubing could have actually been from a variety of sources, some of which were probably not Reynolds. The added "R" for the 555RSL may in fact have been there to indicate the tubing was Reynolds rather than Tange (or whatever). Using "555RSL" instead of "531" decals may have prevented a perception that the Asian-built bikes were inferior, the intention being to establish 555 as the new standard of sorts.
Much of this remaind speculative, but the anecdotal evidence is pretty interesting and compelling.

I can't remember many bikes with a flick stand braze on. Where and what other bikes in a low end price range ever had flick stand braze ons?


I've had a couple of mid 80s Raleigh Marathons pass through my hands, and that model had the downtube braze-on for a flickstand. Guess it was an 80s thing!

Neal

Yes indeed this is the bike I'm talking about...........................
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=56759&d=1192633921

And yes - I should have clarified my remark about Reynolds Tube sets being sent to Asia for assembly. What I meant to say - is that there were no "big time" mass produced models, but of course some select upscale runs were available. I happened to have owned a number of good Japanese bikes - but none with Reynolds tubing.

Anyway - it has come to my attention that one "sort of unique" feature of this tube set is the "flickstand" braze on - underneath the downtube - just opposite the shifters....... And another odd thing - the adjustable droputs.

Seems queeer to me - but no really cheap bikes had adjustable drop outs that I know of - only Campy equipped or all Reynolds etc...

I can't remember many bikes with a flick stand braze on. Where and what other bikes in a low end price range ever had flick stand braze ons?

On a side note - I estimate this bike to have been price at - at least $299 - and maybe as much as $399.

Does anyone have know? I bought an identically equipped Centurion - for $299 in 1983. I also bought a Japanese Schwinn Superior for $279 in about 1977 or '78 .............

During this period we had Schwinn, Lotus and Nishiki being manufactured in Asia with Reynolds or Columbus tubing. Another one that I forgot to mention earlier was KHS, who produced a triathlon model using Reynolds 531. They were all mass market brands. By this time Reynolds had lost its dominance to Columbus, so Reynolds frames were harder to find. Even some French brands, such as Motobecane and Gitane were using Columbus.

By this era, adjustable dropouts had filtered down into the mid-range and were very common at that level. There were lots of SunTour and Shimano forged dropouts with integral hangers. At the time, it was one of the characteristcs that helped define if the model was entry level or mid-range, along with 700c wheels, and a butted frame set.

The stock Flickstand however, is quite rare and a nice touch. I seen some, but can't recall the brands. It may have been Raleigh. They were originally designed as an aftermarket device to fasten via the shifter clamp bolt, so once these disappeared, it lost popularity.

I don't have a price for the Grand Prix from this period, but I'd say $300-$350 US sounds about right, based on competing models. I know that the Competiton, which was two models up from the Grand Prix, sold for $555 US in 1984 and the Marathon, which was two models down, sold for $215 US a year later, in 1985.

However, we all want to know what you found out about your bicycle. Is it Japanese or Taiwanese? What year? Serial number?

Serotta became the official supplier of team bikes to 7-Eleven in 1983. The bikes were, of course, labeled "Murray" until '87, when Huffy took over sponsorship and the bikes became Serotta-Huffys.... Murray was the chosen brand for the USA cycling squad in '84.

Do you know if the Treks ridden by the women's team were real Treks or built by Serotta?

Murray being the bicycle of the 1984 US cycling team is not true, but close. Murray were the "offical manufacturer of bicycles for the 1984 Olympics". Raleigh was the 1984 "official supplier of bicycles to the USCF and US Cycling team". There was lots of flack at the time over the distinction.

The "Olympic supplier" title was puchased from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee by Southland Corporation who owns 7-Eleven. Southland then sold it to Murray who provided bicycles to the 7-Eleven team. Meanwhile, Huffy purchased the "US Team supplier" title from the USCF who needed the money for its Elite program. The contract betweeen Huffy and the USCF required all US National team members to ride Raleighs in international competitions, such as the Olympics. Prospective team members were feeling pressured to ride Raleighs and Murray in particular didn't like it, having many prospective Olympians on the 7-Eleven team.

The International Olympic Committee declared the contract invalid, saying that nobody could be forced to ride a particular brand of bicycle. The US Olympic Committee agreed and both were able to cite the Amatuer Sports Act. The USCF quickly did some back-pedaling and found middle ground. They permitted individual riders to ride the bicycles provided by their commercial team sponsors, but in specialized team events, the US Team coach would dictate the bicycle to be used.

As a result, Raleighs were used in the 100k Team Time Trial and Team Prursuit, where the bicycles needed to work welll together aerodymically. In the indivual events, the rider was left to choose and 7-Eleven team members could ride their Murrays or Treks. Murray also provided all the frames for the neutral support bicycles.

Most of the US Olympic team members came fromm the powerhouse Levi's-Raleigh and 7-Eleven teams, so it is somewhat ironic that, after all the battles between their bicycles sponsors, the most memorable vision coming out of the cycling events is Alexi Grewal taking the gold medal in the road race, not on a Raleigh or Murray, but his Denver-Spoke Pinarello.

Do you know if the Treks ridden by the women's team were real Treks or built by Serotta?

Murray being the bicycle of the 1984 US cycling team is not true, but close. Murray were the "offical manufacturer of bicycles for the 1984 Olympics". Raleigh was the 1984 "official supplier of bicycles to the USCF and US Cycling team". There was lots of flack at the time over the distinction.

The "Olympic supplier" title was puchased from the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee by Southland Corporation who owns 7-Eleven. Southland then sold it to Murray who provided bicycles to the 7-Eleven team. Meanwhile, Huffy purchased the "US Team supplier" title from the USCF who needed the money for its Elite program. The contract betweeen Huffy and the USCF required all US National team members to ride Raleighs in international competitions, such as the Olympics. Prospective team members were feeling pressured to ride Raleighs and Murray in particular didn't like it, having many prospective Olympians on the 7-Eleven team.

The International Olympic Committee declared the contract invalid, saying that nobody could be forced to ride a particular brand of bicycle. The US Olympic Committee agreed and both were able to cite the Amatuer Sports Act. The USCF quickly did some back-pedaling and found middle ground. They permitted individual riders to ride the bicycles provided by their commercial team sponsors, but in specialized team events, the US Team coach would dictate the bicycle to be used.

As a result, Raleighs were used in the 100k Team Time Trial and Team Prursuit, where the bicycles needed to work welll together aerodymically. In the indivual events, the rider was left to choose and 7-Eleven team members could ride their Murrays or Treks. Murray also provided all the frames for the neutral support bicycles.

Most of the US Olympic team members came fromm the powerhouse Levi's-Raleigh and 7-Eleven teams, so it is somewhat ironic that, after all the battles between their bicycles sponsors, the most memorable vision coming out of the cycling events is Alexi Grewal taking the gold medal in the road race, not on a Raleigh or Murray, but his Denver-Spoke Pinarello.

This is great info - thanks! I had always wondered about the Murray-84 Olympics connection given that Grewal clearly won on a Pinarello. I have some pics I just got recently of an '84 Olympics Murray that's full-panto. Must have been ridden by a member of 7-Eleven at the Games; or I'll bet Murray supplied the Team Support bikes, so maybe it was one of those.
I'd bet that the women's team bikes were actually Treks, but I don't know for sure. Someone with real Trek expertise probably does. Trek was certainly set up to produce high-end bikes.

The actual source for your frame should be evident by the serial number. The Asian format is LNLNNNNN, where L= letters and N = numbers. If the first letter is an "M", the frame was made in Taiwan by Merida. If the first letter is an "N" it was made in Japan. We're not sure of the manufacturer, but it may be National, who made Panasonic. In both cases, the first number indicates the year of manufacture. The serial number format for the Kent frames is avialable on the Retro-Raleighs website.

T-Mar - is there a particular format to that serial system? I've had the system posted incomplete on my site for a while. What do the last six digits stand for?

-Kurt

I don't have a price for the Grand Prix from this period, but I'd say $300-$350 US sounds about right, based on competing models. I know that the Competiton, which was two models up from the Grand Prix, sold for $555 US in 1984 and the Marathon, which was two models down, sold for $215 US a year later, in 1985.
Here's the Michael's Cyclery frames pricelist from the same 1985 circular as before:

At least some of these bikes are likely Tange, based on steerer tube stamping. Others could have been Ishiwata or 501. It would have made the most sense financially for Reynolds to have sourced the tubing locally, which the invention of "555" would have helped to obscure. The point is that by using a blanket tubing designation, Raleigh had a lot of flexibility in sourcing materials and mixing and matching tubing with various models.Thanks for all the comments, I guess there is a good chance that several vendors were used for frame materials. My own suspicion - is that things like the Raleigh "head badge" - the flickstand braze on - and "Raleigh" name-died adjustable drop outs as well as the dies for the seat stays etc - would NOT be something that Raleigh passed out to multiple manufacturing locations. (decals yes) -

I guess if the Raleigh company wanted to imply that this bike used Reynolds tubing - there's no better way to do that than by making up counterfeit-style Reynolds tubing decals.

I will conclude that this bike is made with Reynolds 501 for it's main tubes - and that the rest of the frame is a collection of various custom frame parts of Asian manufacture. Certainly the weight of the bicycle "proves" that all tubing must be of lighter alloyed materials. Not that I think real Huffys are made of water pipe. Thanks everyone.

I recently acquired the 1984 Raleigh USA Racing bicycle catalog and can shed a bit more light on the tubing question: The image of the Raleigh 555SL tubing label reads "Double Butted Main Tubes, All Tubes Chrome Moly," and "Designed and Engineered in the USA by Raleigh Cycle Company of America."

The Raleigh 555 RSL sticker reads, "Double-Butted Main Tubes, "Manufactured for Raleigh Cycle Company of America by Ti Reynolds Ltd. Birmingham, England."

Thus, R = Reynolds!

The tubeset shown in this catalog on the top end models is Reynolds 753, which is described as "heat treated."

Neal

Thanks for all the comments, I guess there is a good chance that several vendors were used for frame materials. My own suspicion - is that things like the Raleigh "head badge" - the flickstand braze on - and "Raleigh" name-died adjustable drop outs as well as the dies for the seat stays etc - would NOT be something that Raleigh passed out to multiple manufacturing locations. (decals yes) -

I guess if the Raleigh company wanted to imply that this bike used Reynolds tubing - there's no better way to do that than by making up counterfeit-style Reynolds tubing decals.

I will conclude that this bike is made with Reynolds 501 for it's main tubes - and that the rest of the frame is a collection of various custom frame parts of Asian manufacture. Certainly the weight of the bicycle "proves" that all tubing must be of lighter alloyed materials. Not that I think real Huffys are made of water pipe. Thanks everyone.

One of the oriiginal reasons for your post was to determine where the frame was made. You still haven't told us whether you found a country of orignal decal and what it revealed or what the serial number is.

Muddying the waters a little further, I have a 1984 Raleigh Team 753 that was used in the Olympics - Raleigh America had no one certified to assemble 753 and the team bikes (at least for England) were assembled in the English Raleigh facilities (Worksop?)...

A little light on Trek team frames as well. I have a copy of the serial number logs here, and each year there are a few entries for the top level bikes that went to the "Team"...usually about 20. In 1984 those were 170's, built with 753 tubing. These bikes often were not stamped with serial numbers (although I can't remember what 1984's entries were, and all of my bike crap is packed away, as I am in the process of moving...)

If the first letter is an "N" it was made in Japan. We're not sure of the manufacturer, but it may be National, who made Panasonic. In both cases, the first number indicates the year of manufacture. The serial number format for the Kent frames is avialable on the Retro-Raleighs website.Right, so I have a serial number "4NB0871" OR "4N80871" - however there is a capital "M" with circular trademark-like symbol next to it - like this



4NB0871
M (r)

PS - the cable guide is riveted to the frame - and I'm not even sure about the numbers - except that does start with a "4N"

Right, so I have a serial number "4NB0871" OR "4N80871" - however there is a capital "M" with circular trademark-like symbol next to it - like this

PS - the cable guide is riveted to the frame - and I'm not even sure about the numbers - except that does start with a "4N"

I think T-Mar got the first two digit letter/number combo mixed up. First digit is the year, second is the location of manufacture. I don't know what the third is, however - could you enlighten us, T-Mar?

-Kurt

No, this is a third format! Centurion also used this format but it only showed up on their 1984 models. Assuming it is the same manufacturer as Centurion, the 2nd character (letter N) is a fortnight indicator. The 3rd character is probably an "8" as opposed to a "B".

It's very curious that both Centurion and Raleigh used the same suppliers and this new format turns up for both in 1984. It almost makes you wonder if they had to resort to this supplier due to a problem with the oher, like a strike, fire or earthquake?

Oops, make that a 2nd format and 3rd (Asian) supplier.

I'm a tad confused T-Mar, but I'll chip in a few things that I do know:

#1: The '84 road machines were primarily Japanese-made machines from a single company. Other models in the lineup, such as the touring machines (my Alyeska, for one), were Taiwanese production.

#2: In 1985, production shifted to a Taiwanese manufacturer for most of the road machines as well.

#3: In 1986, production remained with that same Taiwanese manufacturer for the most part for that year, however, later '86 models are evidenced as coming from another Taiwanese manufacturer (complete with additional "MADE IN TAIWAN" sticker under the conventional, gold-lettered Raleigh sticker indicating the same location of manufacture. These frames display slightly different lugwork, minor variances in the paint, and most notably, an aero, cast binder bolt mounting on the seatlug (with "735" cast in the side - 73.5 degree lug), as opposed to the stamped-and-brazed tabs on the previous machines.

http://www.jaysmarine.com/86GP_2_seatlug.JPG

http://www.jaysmarine.com/86GP_2_decal.JPG

T-Mar, can you give me a one-by-one of each different serial number system in chronological order, and what each digit stands for in the serials?

-Kurt

On the photo above:
I thought the Raleigh badge with the /////// implied Brit Raleigh oriental equipment for sale in USA while the Huffeighs say Raleigh USA below the logo.
Looks like a 531 sticker, is that one of the green and purple Grand Prix? What about the head badge?

The intentions behind the strikeout badge depends on the model it is on, and the type of badge/year. The original strikeout brass badges indicated production in a location other then Nottingham - the 3D Raleigh badges of the Huffeigh era would either indicate the 1982 Competition or International MKII models, a Brit model produced for the American market after 1982 (The chrome/green and chrome/orange un-cataloged, Brit-made, unmarked, Raleigh USA machines similar to the Prestige GS and Competition), or a USA model produced in early '84 at the Taiwan factories (In my case, a Raleigh Marathon).

The green machine you see there is one of the purple/green GP's that sold on eBay. Badge is the same as the earlier machines.

-Kurt

T-Mar, can you give me a one-by-one of each different serial number system in chronological order, and what each digit stands for in the serials?

-Kurt

Sorry Kurt, I don't track Raleigh serial numbers. I just comment on them as they pop up. However, if you want to PM me a list of what you do have, I'll be glad to comment.

I find all this very interesting. Years ago I purchased two Raleigh Team 753 frames, one was built circa 1979, the other was 1984, Racing USA, yet both had the SB serial numbers indicating they were Ilkeston built. I sold the 1979 frame, still have the Racing USA frame and I'm pretty sure it's made in England. Guess I should get some pics up.

Cheap digital camera shots. Maybe Christmas this year a better one will show up under the tree...

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd240ee93d8e384ceb7a8dacbddc159cf/e77ed2f3.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p03ff77f5cc79bdab112992501a235051/e77ed2fa.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p576b14066601a13ce9982ce0776723ff/e77ed2fc.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p597ccc98c279db14c0076f5326c72774/e77ed306.jpg


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pcd8597dc3b5fd3b515ae2efed732aea2/e77ed314.jpg

This frame supposedly was built with SR components and hung in a bike shop in Boulder for a long time. About all I know about it. It does have an SB serial number prefix and it looks to be built in 1983.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p7d5392fdda3caabae595705aa04fac6f/e77ed30f.jpg

I'll go with the idea that the "M" means Merida -- is that Taiwan or Japan? I understand how much of the tooling works - I've been to Taichung, TW and have been in many bicycle frame and parts factories. The only thing that confuses me -is that for some one like Huffy - they should have single-spec-ed or single-jobbed most of these models. I cant believe the confusion about the origin.

I can tell you one thing - back in 1992 - I knew how to import a sub $200 bike with an aluminum frame.....

Muddying the waters a little further, I have a 1984 Raleigh Team 753 that was used in the Olympics - Raleigh America had no one certified to assemble 753 and the team bikes (at least for England) were assembled in the English Raleigh facilities (Worksop?)...

A little light on Trek team frames as well. I have a copy of the serial number logs here, and each year there are a few entries for the top level bikes that went to the "Team"...usually about 20. In 1984 those were 170's, built with 753 tubing. These bikes often were not stamped with serial numbers (although I can't remember what 1984's entries were, and all of my bike crap is packed away, as I am in the process of moving...)

It looks like another one is for sale near Denver right now.

http://denver.craigslist.org/bik/696198085.html

I attended a Raleigh dealer briefing when Huffy took over. We were all a little upset about the concept but found that the quality of the bikes was great. The low end bikes were better looking that the English ones. I did miss the Reynolds tubing. Every bike was chrome moly except the top end. The second year many of the bikes had 555 tubing labels that sort of looked like Reynolds decals. Only the 555RSL said Reynolds on it.
This is one of higher end frames made in England. It says "Engineered in the USA", Manufactured in England", "For sale in the USA only" We were told the 555RSL was really Reynolds 531. The label does say Manganese Moly and TI Reynolds.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2527956368_fbf646de00_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/2527956712_d216600a5f_b.jpg