Classic & Vintage - 1984 Raleigh Grand Prix

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ohjonnybegoode
07-31-10, 10:37 AM
Picked this up this morning from the local CL....needs new consumables and a thorough cleaning...but it's in overall good shape....am I right in thinking this was Raleigh's "entry level" sport/racing bike? It's going to be a looker when it's all cleaned up....:)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4846841454_93f555369d_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4846842052_dcb02f6e75_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4846223973_99b1ce7f71_b.jpg

John E
07-31-10, 10:44 AM
That is much nicer than a 1970s Gran Prix! What's the seatpost diameter? (This may help determine the pedigree of the frame tubing.)
ohjonnybegoode
07-31-10, 10:48 AM
The sticker at the bottom of the seat tube says it's Raleigh 555sl...all tubes double butted cro-mo....might it be similar to 531?

cudak888
07-31-10, 11:00 AM
The sticker at the bottom of the seat tube says it's Raleigh 555sl...all tubes double butted cro-mo....might it be similar to 531?

555SL some form of seamed cro-mo. Nobody knows what it is, though I suspect Tange Infinity. Only Raleigh 555RSL is Reynolds 531. 555T also exists; yet another unknown cro-mo.

It was entry-level only in the sense of the Road Sport lineup. Below it were the Sport Touring, which consisted of:

Team U.S.A.
Olympian
Marathon
Record
Pursuit
Sportif

...in that order. I listed the entire lineup here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?667276-Anyone-Own-Everything-in-one-Manufacturer-s-Lineup&p=11205269&viewfull=1#post11205269

Retro Raleighs has the '85 catalog images.

-Kurt
ohjonnybegoode
07-31-10, 11:35 AM
Thanks, Kurt....!
dedhed
07-31-10, 11:43 AM
Like Kurt said, It's the low end of their high end line. I bought mine new and have happily ridden it for years.

The frame is full chrome under the paint and loose bearings with rubber seals throughout.

Brakes are 14mph brakes on a 20mph bike unless you upgrade the pads.

The Raleigh USA bikes are underrated and good values for the features to price - at least around here.