Fifty Plus (50+) - Here's my new bike

I posted this over on the classic forum but just found this one.....another new face here. It's vintage like me.

In '72-'74 I had a Zeus I rode religiously 20-25 miles daily and more on weekends. My girlfriend had one of these. I decided it was time to get back in shape again...running bores me, excercise machines?..yawn, so here I'm back at it.

Only bad thing, as soon as I got it Ike came blowing through the Cincinnati area and 1.5 mil or so without power...then I got a wicked sinus infection. I'm chomping at the bit!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Raleigh/Picture002.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Raleigh/Picture006.jpg

Nice! Hopefully you can get out and enjoy it soon.

Good for you!

Welcome to the forum and glad you have a camera. Pity about Ike- but just get out and give us a report on the ride when it passes. Dispensation can be given for inclement weather but Get a ride in before anything else stops you.

I took it out for the first time last Saturday and did a short 5 miles but with some hills. I was going to go again Sunday but 50-75 mph winds discouraged me....then I got sick:mad: Oh well, middle of the week I'll be back in the saddle.

BTW, it's an all original 1973 Competition with the exception of the tires and bar wrap. The original tires were on it when I bought it. The saddle was quite dry but after a little neetsfoot oil it pliable again and should break in nicely.

There's something about old black roadbikes that really 'gets to me'. :D

Looks like a nice one too. Enjoy!!



:D

Nice old Raleigh; welcome to the 50+ forum. Many of us here like and ride old steel.:thumb:

Nice old Raleigh; welcome to the 50+ forum. Many of us here like and ride old steel.:thumb:

+1..... Beautiful bike! It looks pristine. Do you know its history? I can't believe it has seen too many miles.

+1..... Beautiful bike! It looks pristine. Do you know its history? I can't believe it has seen too many miles.

Thanks for the welcome. As far as I can tell I am the third owner (it was sold near Chicago) and it probably doesn't have 200 miles on it. The saddle (B17) has nary a scratch and has never been broken in. I bought it from a collector near Chicago and he never threw a leg over it. It still has the AYA decals on the wheels and Normandy Competition stickers on the hubs. I got another set of decals for the TA crank I'm going to put on soon.

Here's a couple more pics.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Raleigh/Picture008.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Raleigh/Picture009.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c195/texraid/Raleigh/Picture010.jpg

There's just something about Raleighs. Sweet bike and welcome.

Happy Trails

Woooooow. Lovely. What a great find.

Very nice. :thumb:
Good to see a bike without a yard of seatpost showing.

great looking bike, wish you many great rides

I like the black and gold paint on those Raleigh Competitions!

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/43654/2315223150068014369S425x425Q85.jpg (http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2315223150068014369YKZnuO)

Even though I ride a newish CF swoopy looking bike, I really do like the looks of the old skool rigs. I kinda wish I still had my old Schwinn Varsity. I bought it used in 1972 and rode it (albeit not too much) until 1996.