IGD

I have had a Raleigh Gran Sport since purchasing it used in 1968. The serial numer on the bottom of bottom bracket appears to be CA 4862. Is there anyone out there that can help me identify the year that tihis Gran Sport was manufacturered? The bike is stock or at least I have all stock parts. I'm not sure about the pedals as they are BSA with Christophe Special cages. The stem on the bike now is a Cinelli. Is this bike worth anything to collector? The paint is chipped and worn, so if I restore is it possible to get replicas of the original Raleigh decals? Thanks in advance for any assistance

nlerner

I believe the Gran Sport first appeared in 1961, so yours is in that window (61-68). What does the headbadge look like? Pics of that badge and the rest of the bike would be very helpful. Fwiw, the '62 catalog lists a GB stem.

Neal

USAZorro

I'm guessing a bit here, but according to Sheldon's "How Old is my Raleigh" page, 1966 was a transition year, when they went from one serial number scheme to another. The official convention would have been "A" followed by four numbers. My guess is that yours is a 1966, and that the extra letter is either a figment, or an accident borne of not being completely used to the new numbering scheme.

stronglight

I would love to see some photos!

From what I've read in catalogues and have seen in photos they had changed considerably during their rather long history. This even briefly included Reynolds 531 butted tubing with NERVEX LUGS!... a version which nobody seems to have ever actually seen outside of Raleigh brochures.

Nice bikes! Made with long chainstays and plenty of clearance for 27" x 1-1/4" tires... and still with LOTS of room for mudguards - which on mine easily encircle the cushy tires with room to spare, and also room for big feet or winter boots without overlap to the front wheel.

Here is a photo of mine from roughly 1973, and typical of the mid-1970s style and paint which was either white with blue or blue with white. ~ I've had this bike for several years, but always tinkering... this one now has a silver alloy rear luggage rack which nicely matches the SKS/ESGE mudguards seen here, and is also back to it's far more comfortable old Brooks B-15 black leather saddle - rather than the white suede San Marco saddle shown here. A long mudflap is also now hanging from the front mudguard.

IGD

Neal - Thanks for reply. I do have the original GB stem but the Cinelli was on when I bought and the stem legtn seemed to work for me. The head tube badge has a bird's head overlaying what looks like a torch. Underneath the bird head is the name Raleigh in "script" around the bottom of the badge at the bottom is lettered " NOTINGHAM ENGLAND" I did check the dropouts for additional numbering and found none so I assume the previously posted number is the actual serial ??
IGD

IGD

Another bit of information is that my bike is painted in a darker "metallic" Venetian blue with black between the head tube lugs. The bottom ~ 8" of the front forks are nicely chromed.
IGD

USAZorro

Is the head badge an oval shape? (I would expect not)

nlerner

That's the headbadge shown in the 1961 and 1962 Raleigh catalogs and I believe was standard for road bikes until around 1970. The '62 is available to download at RetroRaleighs: https://www.retroraleighs.com/#catalogues. The '61 catalog lists available colors as "flamboyant venetian blue or firecracker red or sunset yellow, head tube black" with "mudguards black with silver center." The '62 catalog shows the same colors but with a white head tube, so perhaps yours is a '61?

Neal

IGD

USAZorro - Yes, the head badge is an oval shape. Bob sent me some photos of 1961 Gran Sport which almost exactly depicts the bike I have with the exception of the crank set. Mine is the 49 /46T double chain ring with 61/2" (165 mm) cottered cranks with a stamping and what looks like a Raleigh R inside the stamped symbol near the crank spindle hole on both cranks.

nlerner

Here's the crankset from the 1961 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix that I used to own and sold to a forum member. The rings are 49/46. Is this what you have on your Gran Sport?

Neal

USAZorro

If it's the same oval badge I'm thinking of, I thought it was only used in '69 and '70.

IGD

Neal - Yes, that is the identical crankset that is on my Gran Sport so I believe , without being able to trace serial number, that I have a 1961 Raleigh Gran Sport in Flamboyant Venetian Blue. Now the question is: what is it worth? Where is best place to advertise this bike? I am tempted to strip it down, prepare and get the frame painted, polish up all components and use it for my Sunday ride.I need to explore the chances / source of getting original decals. Has anyone sorced decals for restoration project. Thanks very much to all those who have helped me.
Regards, IGD

lisarmarshall

Hi all,

Just want to say that I google for answers on bikes all the time - 85% of my answers come from bikeforums.net. Thank you.

So I have a Raleigh Gran Sport....I think it is a 73...definitely from the 70's. Blue and White paint job, Reynolds 531, Weinmann center pull brakes, randonneur handle bars w/ forged stem, white Carlton brake hoods....the frame looks identical to Stronglight's in this thread.

It is in used but card for condition, superficial scratches is all. Suntour friction shifters are not original, also has new (shimano ee-gads!) derailleur....so anyway - I want to find out exactly what year it is, and I want to find NOS or used original parts for it.

The number "73" is stamped on the seat post tube, facing the handlebars. Meaning 1973??? I have never seen or heard of a Raleigh being dated in this way. The only other number I can find on it is stamped on the left rear dropout. It says "0203064..." any ideas? The bottom bracket is not original, though it is older - Nervar Star I believe.

Also - besides Ebay/Craigslist - any ideas on where to find parts?

Thanks, I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!

Lisa

nlerner

Lisa, the 73 on the seat post tube refers to the seat tube angle--73 degrees. That Nervar bottom bracket might be the original. Are the dropouts stamped with any manufacturer's name? Pics would help, too.

Neal

Charles Wahl

For decals, try the following:

https://stores.ebay.co.uk/Dizzibird_W...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

https://stores.ebay.co.uk/decals2000

https://stores.ebay.com/Cyclomondo_W0...Q3amesstQQtZkm

<mailto:wandson1@msn.com>wandson1@msn.com
JRrestore on BikeForums

https://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...YDS/decals.htm

If you intend to sell it, cleaning up is great, but it will be worth more, IMO, if you don't touch-up, repaint, redecal or anything like that. Someone who would appreciate its collector value wants it untampered with.

Bogester 

I had a 61-62 that I bought from the original owner and had all the original parts (even had the orginal reciept). The serial number on that bike was RB 11164 N (in three rows). It also had a 49/46 cottered crank, Campy gran sport front and rear derailleurs, Campy shifters, GB bars and stems and a nice Brooks Swallow saddle.
Here's a few pics of my old bike. It was a beautiful bike but I sold it because it was too small and I needed the money to buy my beloved Paramount.

Bogester 

Here's a pic of the original receipt of the Gran Sport I just mentioned...$114.50. BTW that bike shop is still in business.

lisarmarshall

I would be interested to know what the serial no. is on this one stronglight...it looks like my GS might be identical to yours. From what I understand from RR website the serial #'s for the GS's are a little harder to decode...

...will post pics later today when I get home.