Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Raleigh Racing USA?!?!? Can Someone Help?

Hi Everyone,

I am currently in the process of possibly buying this older Raleigh Racing USA...I have tried to find out more about it but the owner is clueless. It doesn't say prestige or anything on it, just Racing USA...Pics are blurry, is it a good deal for 30 bucks? Is it a good bike?

Hard to tell what exactly it is, but I can't imagine it's worth less than the asking price.

it is an early ROA bike, perhaps '84 or '85. I seem to recall that the chrome headlug and rear stays went on the Prestige. That makes this pretty nice. Either Reynolds 555 or Reynolds 531.

The bike is a 56 or maybe a 58. Hope it fits, and hurry! That's a killer deal. Maybe they'll throw in the dog. It'd be a good one for coons.

You go buy that Raleigh and then send me a message and I will come down there and give you $100 in cash and won't be but a few hours in doing so.

1985 or late '84 Raleigh USA Grand Prix. Raleigh 555SL tubing (about the same as Tange 2). Buy it. Now.

...or else I'll have you buy it for me. Seriously though, either buy it for yourself, or buy it and pass it on to another C&V'er on this forum locally if you don't want it.

Fifth in the Racing lineup:

Team Pro
Prestige
Competition
Super Course
Grand Prix

A whole slew of lesser bikes came under this top end lineup.

For the record - the '84 Competition, '84 Super Course, and '85 Super Course (Purchase prices, $40, $200, free; not necessarily indicative as to the amount poured into them since):

http://www.jaysmarine.com/84_comp_061608_1.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/84_comp_070408_1.jpg

http://www.jaysmarine.com/Raleigh85_supercourse_FINAL.jpg

-Kurt

Those bikes were actually made by Huffy but with parts sourced in Japan/Taiwan. Raleigh was out of the USA at the time but licensed Huffy to produce Raleigh bikes. I just picked up an '83 Raleigh... this one a Marathon which wasn't as good as one of the Racing bikes.

Kurt that cloth bar tape is imparts pure class to your bikes. I have some for my Team Pro ------ I'm tempted to rip off the brand new Cinelli cork in leiu of the cloth tape. Seriously I like the look. Lp


Metalchef I echo what these guys have said re that bike ------- leave the computer and go buy it now. You will have no regrets. Lp

it is an early ROA bike, perhaps '84 or '85. I seem to recall that the chrome headlug and rear stays went on the Prestige. That makes this pretty nice. Either Reynolds 555 or Reynolds 531.

The bike is a 56 or maybe a 58. Hope it fits, and hurry! That's a killer deal. Maybe they'll throw in the dog. It'd be a good one for coons.

Looks 58-ish.

You'll have no trouble reselling it and coming out ahead if you do buy it and you don't like it.

It is a Grand Prix. I have helped another member who is closer to the seller acquire it I am pretty sure. Thanks for the help, maybe I will be able to find another one of these some day...

Those bikes were actually made by Huffy but with parts sourced in Japan/Taiwan. Raleigh was out of the USA at the time but licensed Huffy to produce Raleigh bikes. I just picked up an '83 Raleigh... this one a Marathon which wasn't as good as one of the Racing bikes.

The entirety of the construction was sourced to Japan and Taiwan (parts + frames), yes, but Huffy's involvement with Raleigh began and terminated with the administration and development of new U.S. products for the company - production was not by any means related to the Huffy production plants here in the States at the time (thank god).

-Kurt

Yes, that's true. Again.... thank God! Do you know of any serial number decoders for those Huffy Raleighs? I don't think I saw those on Sheldon Brown's pages. I looked at the Headbadge and it looks like you don't have it quite figured out yet either.

I have this same bike (Raleigh Grand Prix 555) in just about the same condition. It was my dads when he was younger and handed it down to me. I was thinking about converting it to a fixed gear but if its worth some money, maybe not. Anybody know what the going price for this bike is? If its only $40 like the one above, I'd just as soon keep it, but if someone was willing to pay in the $100 range, up for grabs.

I have this same bike (Raleigh Grand Prix 555) in just about the same condition. It was my dads when he was younger and handed it down to me. I was thinking about converting it to a fixed gear but if its worth some money, maybe not. Anybody know what the going price for this bike is? If its only $40 like the one above, I'd just as soon keep it, but if someone was willing to pay in the $100 range, up for grabs.

Depending on the condition and the market, closer to $200 than $100. Not a fixie candidate

If I'm looking to sell it, where do you recommend doing so?