Ed.

Innocently enough, I took a look in 'sales and wanted' to see if there was anything new with respect to the stand I'd listed, and there was David325 wanting a Raleigh Pro Track Bike...

So I have this:



I realize sentimentality has no value in currency, and this bike figures in more than a few of my more outrageous bike doings, but, as I said, it's not for sale, but I'd consider the possibility.

It is nearly 100% original (I'm the original owner). Toe straps, tires, probably the handlebar tape are not original. It's never been crashed, dumped, in the rain, always stored inside. There is a small, barely noticeable dent near the top of the left chain stay, and there are a very few nicks in the paint. It has a terrific case of cellar patina!

I can take more photos, tell me what you want to see.

Thank you.

TugaDude

Actually I was more excited by the photos of the B-24 Liberator in your albums. Sorry, but I saw the album photo of what looked to be a vintage aircraft and couldn't help clicking on it.

My great uncle died in a B-24 over Germany. Never met him but I met his brother, a Navy veteran and spoke with his other brother who was Coast Guard. Both have since passed.

As for the bike, it is gorgeous. Hoping to find one some day, or a Frejus track bike. I'm sure all of us would love to see close-ups of all components, especially cranks, seatpost and bars. Didn't look closely, but assuming it is sew ups? What hubs and rims? Suspect Dunlop rims or perhaps Rigida Montherly?

As far as value, priceless! But it seems vintage track bikes fetch a premium. $1,000.00 or more wouldn't shock me.

Ed.

The tall skinny guy you saw in a number of the photos - his Father flew B-24s. The were shot down (he was the pilot) and he managed to keep the plane in the air (minus most of its tail) in the air to enable the entire crew, himself included, to get out. All survived. There was a gentleman in the cockpit doing pre-flight and, when Rick shared the story, he commented, "Welcome Mr Miracle." We were obviously a bit confused by the comment - he went on to explain that neither pilot nor co-pilot wore parachutes - it was obvious there wasn't room. The odds of both pilot and co-pilot getting out of a plane were not good.

Ed.

OK, photos:



I did wipe off the left fork blade - the chrome looks good under the cellar patina.





These are the original wheels. Need I point out that there is no brake wear on the rims










If you look very carefully, about in the middle of the picture, you may be able to see the dent.

Ed.

More photos:















No, they don't hold air!





Other than the one fork blade, all cellar patina is intact.

Yabba dabba dooo - that's all, folks!

TugaDude

Well, it is a beauty. I would call the "dent" a love tap. The thinned chrome head tube lugs are awesome. Definitely a grail bike. I see AVA rims. Raleigh also featured those on their Professional road bike. Good stuff.

My Great Uncle was a navigator. They were shot down over water and word is they all got out but died of hypothermia.

icepick_trotsky 

Highly collectible frame + great condition + all original parts. You could probably get $1500 on eBay, though less here, obviously.

exxongraftek

Agree with my esteemed "comrade" above. This is a wonderful piece of cycling history.

norskagent

interesting...fork crown is slightly different than mine - zeus? Also the rear track ends on mine are factory drilled.

Ed.

Thank you, gents, that gives me something to think on.

Curtis Odom 

There is my bike! (just like mine) I had two of them new, the one shown and the team colors bike. Wish I still had at least one of them.