Classic & Vintage - Need help identifying high-end raleigh bike (probably late 1960s)

I recently purchased a raleigh roadbike and am having a little trouble identifying its make and manufacturing year. From what I've been able to collect, I believe it is an early Raleigh professional, but I could be wrong. I've posted some pictures below.

The bike has a campagnolo record (170) crankset, campy brakes and campy brazed on shifters. Its got a 3ttt record stem and GB handlebars and campy record hubs. However, the headset is Dura Ace along with the derailleurs.

I think I've identified the lugs as Carlton Capella lugs and their website (http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk/details/lugwork-p.htm) says they where used between 1958 and 1966. The serial number on the BB is A7995, which according to Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/dating.html#1967) means it was manufactured in 1966.

However, after looking at the 1967 catalogue on his website, the lug-work doesnt match the "raleigh carlton" bike. Nor was that bike outfitted with campy components.

Any thoughts? (From the pics, you will see that the bike has had an after-market paint job)

Were braze-on shifters even used that far back?

I'm guessing it is a '73 Competition with some work and different parts. I believe those lugs were only used by Raleigh in '73. Sloping fork crown was used on the Pro and the Competition. Top tube cable guides look Competition. Braze-on levers were added unless its some model of Carlton rebadged as a Raleigh. But all the parts are not Competition. The RAleigh headbadge prior to 1970 was an oval, not the cutout Heron.

Looks like my '74 Competition, especially with the sloping crown. What dropouts does it have? Mine has Huret. Braze on shifters were stock. Also, my SN is "A####" as well. Equipment was certainly upgraded.

The dropouts are Huret as well, so is the downtube/bb cable guide is also Huret. I guess that answers it - 1973/74 raleigh comp. with some upgraded parts. Thanks!

A wild Frejus appears!

forks bent

and the lugs and fork crown are similar. I'll try to post some
pictures soon, but have non right now.

+1 on it being a Competition, though.

I believe those lugs were only used by Raleigh in '73.

Correct; 1973 was the only year the Capella lugs were used by Raleigh.

Braze on shifters were stock.

Cool, never saw that on a Raleigh, though pretty common on Carltons. I just built a Competition frame into a single speed for my son and shipped it to him at college, it was a nice riding bike!

Were braze-on shifters even used that far back?

I dunno about Raleigh, but my JRJ is a '64 and has braze on shifters, so, yes.

So I've taken a look through the Raleigh 1973 catalogue on Sheldon's page. Any idea what the BB and headset make would have been for the 1973 Raleigh competition?

I was thinking that the BB might be TA considering the crank is TA. But what about the headset??

BB would have been TA, headset was a generic thing maybe called Brampton?

I dunno about Raleigh, but my JRJ is a '64 and has braze on shifters, so, yes.

I'm working on a late 50s Carlton that has the shifter bosses brazed on.

I recently purchased a raleigh roadbike and am having a little trouble identifying its make and manufacturing year. From what I've been able to collect, I believe it is an early Raleigh professional, but I could be wrong. I've posted some pictures below.

The bike has a campagnolo record (170) crankset, campy brakes and campy brazed on shifters. Its got a 3ttt record stem and GB handlebars and campy record hubs. However, the headset is Dura Ace along with the derailleurs.

I think I've identified the lugs as Carlton Capella lugs and their website (http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk/details/lugwork-p.htm) says they where used between 1958 and 1966. The serial number on the BB is A7995, which according to Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/dating.html#1967) means it was manufactured in 1966.

However, after looking at the 1967 catalogue on his website, the lug-work doesnt match the "raleigh carlton" bike. Nor was that bike outfitted with campy components.

Any thoughts? (From the pics, you will see that the bike has had an after-market paint job)

Were braze-on shifters even used that far back?

She's quite nice, whatever she is. Does the serial match with Raleigh bikes of that period? I have a feeling it is like others here have posited: It's either a) the braze-ons were added or b) it's a Carlton badged as a Raleigh. Given it's been repainted, my guess is the former as opposed to the latter, but this is nothing more than wild supposition on my part.

forks bent

Seeing how your post has no indication of humor in it, I would like to hear your justifications for this comment; particularly as it could be misleading to the OP.

Furthermore, the fork does not appear bent at all.

-Kurt

It looks like a '73 Raleigh Competition, but it should not have shifter braze-ons or side pull brakes.

Beautiful bike ... any more photos ?

I agree with those who say a 73 Raleigh competition that was upgraded at some point in it's life.

I noticed the "X" and "O" marks on the bottom bracket. My 73 Raleigh has the same marks. I wonder what they mean... "Hugs and Kisses" was suggested by colonelJLoyd. I'll take a picture of the headset on my 73 Raleigh Gran Sport, it's just some generic headset as far as I can tell.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6171099691_c4616309c0_b.jpg

Does the serial match with Raleigh bikes of that period?

The serial number is A7995, which according to Sheldon, seems to suggest it is a 1966 bike. However, the evidence provided above about the Capella lugs and slopping crown seem to suggest something a little newer.

Beautiful bike ... any more photos ?

Due to the repaint, there's nothing much better to show than the pics above. Probably going to repaint it back to the 1973/4 colours this winter when I repaint a couple others. I'll post pics then.