Dboyle

Hi everyone, just posting photos of my restored 1979 Raleigh that was built at Raleigh's Special Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) at Ilkeston under the direction of the legendary Gerald O'Donovan. Reynolds 753. This workshop built the team frames for Raleigh and also custom order one off's. I received this as a frame. Dark blue paint in poor condition so the decision was to refinish in the same dark blue (actually a medium to dark blue). Custom color matched at the local auto paint supplier. I really liked the color and understated graphics. Very British!

Since these bikes were custom order and supplied, generally, as frames, I thought I had the opportunity to try something period, but different. So, I went about finding the the most light weight period components I could to try to build the lightest complete bike possible. Result: right at 17.5 pounds. I did cheat and used MKS track pedals which are extremely light. If I were to show the bike, I have replacement Maillard 700 pedals to use. The Regal saddle is a San Marco reproduction.

qcpmsame 

Very nice looking Raleigh there. Those are some unusual components for that frameset, neat, different pieces you have used. Kind of neat to see something different for a change, this should be a great rider, if you choose to. Kudos sir.

Bill

jon c. 

Beautiful job. I ride an 81 model, but it's not nearly so nicely restored.

Dboyle

What components on your bike?

USAZorro

I like what you've done there. Very, very cleanly done, excellent color scheme and an appropriate unifying theme.

While the original livery is one of the most iconic of the era, frames with trashed paint give an opportunity for some creativity. My repainting of a 531-tubed '78 was a bit less subdued (rotated the colors from original). I've since rebuilt with a modernish drive-train,

Sir_Name 

Wow, beautiful build. Neat that the TT cable guides are slotted and accept ferrules. The paintfill on the fork tangs is also a nice touch.

jon c. 

I sort of hate to admit it. I started riding about 5 years ago after a 35 year break and after riding a Bianchi hybrid for a little while, I found this one. Was looking for an old Raleigh to relive my youth when I came across it.

It was a frankenbike when I acquired it with a Sakae triple and marginally functional Alivio derailleurs. So I replaced that with an SRX because it would handle the triple. But the crank was bent, so I then replaced that with a Sugino triple. Had Superbe shifters and brakes, with Shimano brake levers. Replaced those with the correct Superbe levers, but still haven't gotten around to finding a correct long cage Suntour derailleur. A short cage would be easier to find, and there's really not much reason to have a triple on it, so I may end up going to a compact double.

So it remains a frankenbike. I knew pretty much nothing when I got this bike or I would have made other choices at the outset, but since everything is functional now I haven't pushed myself too hard to get it more correct. It's a bit over 20 lbs as it stands now.

Salamandrine 

Nice job on a vintage superlight. What is that freewheel? Alloy or Ti?? Regina SL chain? Why are the MKS pedals cheating? Cuz they aren't euro?

I built a superlight BITD out of a Mondia Reynolds 531SL frame and similar superlight parts, but it was about 18.5lb, IIRC. Same color as yours, oddly enough.

jyl

That's impressively light! Beautiful bike and color.

I'd be interested in a complete parts list. . .

non-fixie 

Inspirational! Thanks for sharing it. Well done.

Wildwood 

Beautiful restoration.

dunrobin

Well thought out build. I have some clb brakes as well..with new pads and shoes they stop well enough. I hope it rides as nice as it looks.

Dboyle

It is a Gipiemme Chrono Special alloy freewheel. The MKS pedals I have on the bike are a newer MKS offering and not period correct so that is why I thought I was cheating a bit.

Dboyle

28 hole Maillard 700 hubs, butted DT spokes, alloy nipples
Wolber Aspin tubular rims
CLB professional brakes, calipers and levers
Stronglight A9 headset
Raleigh engraved bars without sleeve
GB stem
Benotto tape
Stronglight 105 crank
Regina hollow pin chain
Gipiemme Chrono Special alloy freewheel
Modolo shifters
Huret Jubilee front and rear changer
San Marco Regal saddle, TI rails
MKS track pedals
ALE alloy clips

jeirvine 

Nice job. My '79 SBDU is dark blue with black head tube and seat band. Was yours all blue before the new paint?

steelbikeguy

Sweet bike! I like the French theme, especially the Stronglight cranks with drilled rings. How hard was it to find those??

I've got a Raleigh Team SBDU bike too, although in the more conventional Team colors and Campy bits. I did put a Stronglight A9 headset on it, partly because I had it sitting around, but also because it's such a nicely engineered part and passes as Campy.

So what else is hiding in your stable? Between this and the Mercian, you've shown a trend towards classy Brit bikes. I'll guess that a Hetchins is next to be shown off.


Steve in Peoria

Dboyle

Yes, mine was all blue. I think a bit lighter blue. It was not one like your bike with the black head tube and seat tube band. I think if mine paint was the same as your bike, I would have chosen to build it with Campy. As I remember your paint scheme was used by the Midlands team in Europe and they used Campy.

BTW, you have a really nice bike!

jeirvine 

Thanks. It's actually got a lot of patina, which that pic glosses over, and is a 531 bike. And I've heard about a team using the blue/black SBDU bikes, but have not seen any pictures of their bikes. I'll do some image searching on Midlands now. -J

Dboyle

I've had the Stronglight crank for some time. However, I think they come up fairly often on eBay. I really like the design of that crank.

I think the next bike I might post will be a 1974 Grandis. Bought as a frame. Original paint and decals in wonderful shape. Built back to complete with a 1974 Campy component group. I do not have a Hetchins but that is on the acquisition list (assuming I can afford one that is).

Last bike I posted was the Raleigh RRA. Do not have a Mercian. Looking for one if those too.

steelbikeguy

d'oh! sorry... brain fart.

I remembered the yellow-on-white paint with the lug lining, but the brain attached "Mercian" to it.

Looking forward to seeing the Grandis!


Steve in Peoria