Classic & Vintage - Raleigh Road Bike ID Help

Came home from the beach and got this tonight from a seller on CL for $75. The re-paint is shot but I did ride it around and it rode fine. Here are some pics and some info. Any guesses as to what it is? Judging by the bad re-paint and handy-man style rivets on the headbadge, someone did a lot of work at some pont

Serial # F9835
Stronglight 93 crank
Zeus Drop outs
26.6 post
Simplex Bar end shifters
Shimano SPD pedals

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_203147.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_203248.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_203213.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_203220.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_181152.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_181126.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_181038.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_181030.jpg

I really wanted to say a 1970-1 Grand Sports, but the fork crown has me stymied.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120715_181152.jpg

75 Pro with a replacement fork.

It's neat. That's all I know. I even like the ratty paint.

Where is the serial number placed? I was going to guess Gran Sport too, but the 26.6 seat post size is wrong.

Zeus dropouts makes it likely an early 70s Competition.

I don't think it's a Raleigh, but what do I know. Neal, wouldn't the Competition have a 27.2 post?

My guess is a 60's Gran Sport-framed frankenbike from when way before frankenbikes were cool. 26.2 seat-tube with non-butted Hi-Ten. Looks like a replacement fork which fits with the frankentheme.

... I was going to guess Gran Sport too, but the 26.6 seat post size is wrong.

Now that you mention it, my 73 GS is 27.2, not 26.6.

-But I think the earlier GS was straight-gauged. (The '70 catalog just states "531" for the GS, whereas it states 531 "double-butted" for the Pro and Int'l.)
If the dimension given (26.6) is actually a 26.4 straight-gauged '531, maybe it is a '70-ish GS.
Can't be too many things with Zeus DOs and the circular brake bridge - but the fork crown is wrong.

60's Gran Sports were Hi-Ten. From Sheldon's Retro-Raleigh page (http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/gran-sport.html)s.

60's Gran Sports were Hi-Ten. From Sheldon's Retro-Raleigh page (http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/gran-sport.html)s.

But the 70s Gran Sports were 531, and that's what we're potentially looking at here; the RD hanger is the give away.

Rudi, I don't remember what seat post size my '71 Competition with Zeus dropouts took, but I'm guessing that Brian's example shown here originally took a 27.2 post until someone put in a smaller one and squeezed that seat post binder just a bit harder than it had previously been squeezed.

Accoridng to Mr. Brown, the serial number (if it is to be believed) puts it at 1971 and a 531 frame. Did 531 come in 26.6? I measured it w/ digital calipers and tried to put a 27.0 post in the seat tube to double check. It would not fit, even a little.

...but I'm guessing that Brian's example shown here originally took a 27.2 post until someone put in a smaller one and squeezed that seat post binder just a bit harder than it had previously been squeezed.

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

The OD of my '74 Comp seatpost ranges from about 28.6mm to 28.65mm with a fresh coat of powercoat on it -if that helps any.

I'm guessing that Brian's example shown here originally took a 27.2 post until someone put in a smaller one and squeezed that seat post binder just a bit harder than it had previously been squeezed.

Interesting theory! Brian, did you get this from the same guy as Ritchie #2? That would explain a lot.


Did 531 come in 26.6?
Sure. In English sizes that would be straight gauge (Super Course?); in French that would be butted.

Possibly there's a shim of some sort stuck to the inside of your seat post? Coors, most likely.

But what's the BB threading? Any (other?) signs of Frenchiness?

Accoridng to Mr. Brown, the serial number (if it is to be believed) puts it at 1971 and a 531 frame. Did 531 come in 26.6? ....

AFAIK, No. Not for Raleighs.

At least no Raleigh other than the Olympian lists as 26.6 in Sheldon's database.

26.4 would be the correct dimension for a RALEIGH straight-gauged '531, so my bet is still on the '71 GS.

Mr. Fender1, you'd get a lot of info if you pull the fork and see what color the steerer is painted. Of course, if it's a replacement fork, that info isn't very useful.

Good idea Professor Lerner. I will do that and post pics. I will also double check the seat post meausrement.

Dr. Lerner wins. It is Competition (see the lavender paint on the fork) and the seat tube ears have been crushed. Also both sets of drop outs are Zeus.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120716_220804.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120716_220833.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120716_220931.jpg
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k292/bylar13/IMG_20120716_220923.jpg

So why were the steer tubes painted lavender? Was this some sort of assembly code?

So why were the steer tubes painted lavender? Was this some sort of assembly code?

No, the whole bike was originally lavender, but got repainted at some point. Only the steer tube shows remnants of the original finish.

No, the whole bike was originally lavender, but got repainted at some point. Only the steer tube shows remnants of the original finish.

D'oh! That one flew right over my head the first time...

Thanks!

What do I win?

A beat, 1971 Competition frame!

Cool! That was my first guess but I let you throw me off with your 26.6 seat post story! Classic Cartalk style obfuscation, but Neal saw right through it. Congrat's, that's like a nice crank with a free frame attached, eh?

Looked like this at one point:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/643607-Early-70s-Raleigh-Competition-Purple-and-Blue