robthetrekker

I wonder if anyone can help – I have an old Raleigh Cycle and would like to restore it but haven’t got a clue what sort of mudguards were fitted nor what the original colour scheme was.
It has a frame size of 26 inches, a serial number of WB0000431, it has 6 cogs on the back and 2 on the front and fitted with quite narrow 27-inch aluminium wheels.
I think if restored it would look very good.
Any help appreciated
Thanks
Rob

Maxturbo

Welcome Rob. I'm new to the C&V bike game as well, and can share some info w/you that has helped me immensely. First we'll need pics of yours as soon as you can post them.

These links will help break down / ID your Raleigh...

https://www.jaysmarine.com/raleighgrandprix_holland.html

https://www.jaysmarine.com/bikecollection.html

And Sheldon Brown articles are the Holy Grail of info...

https://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html

robthetrekker

Thanks for your input – So it looks like the bike could have been made in 1980, I acquired it in about 1990 so it is possible but must have had a very hard life.
There is also an additional S, on it’s side slightly to the right of the serial number and touching the 3rd 0 – I don’t know if this has any significance but I can’t see it mentioned in any of the links.
I have taken a photo of the bike and will try and attach it to this post
If anyone can direct me to an image of what the bike was like new than I would be grateful
Thanks again
Rob
IMG_0060.jpg

Maxturbo

Hmmm...odd shifter mod with one stem mounted an one down tube mounted. Center pull brakes with lever extensions and not apparently Simplex derailleurs. No decals or distingwishing stickers?

What are the brakes, derailleurs, handlebars or hubs logo'd / branded with?

Small flange hubs. Missing the spoke guard.

Early 70's to mid 80's style. I'd guess an all white repaint over (?).

Can we get a picture of the Headbadge?

robthetrekker

Thanks for your quick response
Yes – the white paint job seems to be the second over-paint, there is red (Might be primer0 then blue and finally white

Handlebars are stamped with “Raleigh – Forged”
Front Derailleur stamped with Sachs Huret
Rear Derailleur is a replacement that I fitted
Front and rear brakes have Raleigh 610 Weinmann on them
I have tried to take a photo of the head badge but it is over-painted, It says “Raleigh, Nottingham, England”
Thanks again
Rob

Maxturbo

Based on the Nottingham Headbadge, I'd suspect pre-73. I'll let some of the other more knowledgeable folks try and ID the model, but I'm guessing a Grand Sport or higher end unit.

robthetrekker

Thanks again – The Mystery Deepens ;-)
I am fairly sure that the guy who had the bike before me had it for several years, at least 5 that I know of, that would take us back to about 85 and it was far from a new bike then !! But although I also suspect the bike is 70’s or earlier, this doesn’t appear to tie in with the serial number !!
It would be nice to find out so here’s hoping that someone can help out
Best Regards
Rob

jeepr

It looks a lot like this Grand Prix frame I have.

3alarmer

Look at the 1973-82 Standardized System in the link to the Headbadge.

https://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_raleigh_serials.html#83usa

thus: W/workshop......B/Feb......0/1980.....rest of serial #/production number

It is doubtful if your bicycle ever saw fenders, but there are some
very nice ones available from various sources.

A very serviceable bike from an era when Raleigh was definitely
feeling some pressure from the Japanese, and I'd guess some of
your mechanicals are from that country?

Look at the online Raleigh catalogs for an idea of model and color
possibilities....often you can scope out the model by the stuff
that is hung on your bike in the way of brakes and derailleurs.

I hope this helps. Otherwise, paint it yourself and don't get
sucked into an expensive "complete" restoration...my own opinion.

robthetrekker

Thank You
Yes - Similar but not quite the same, mine has holes front forks and rear frame for mudguard stays and where the rear frame meets the seat tube looks different – Also my handlebars, although similar, the stamp is different, I will attach a new photo.
However the seat look similar, mine is hard plastic with 2 little slots at the rear where it looks like a small bag used to be fitted.
Thanks again
Rob

SteveSGP

It's got a fork like my Nottingham built '79 Super Grand Prix but the lugs look like the ones on my Japanese built Super Grand Prix which I've never been able to conclusively date but late 70s for sure.

The single Suntour ratchet shifter also matches what my Japanese SGP came with stock.

I say you have mid to late 70s there.

jeepr

yeah, yours looks like a later model than mine. I would guess about Grand Prix level though. Stamped drop outs, extra braze-on for the rear brake cable, the frame angles look similar. Is your down tube shifter a clamp on, or is it brazed on?

robthetrekker

Thanks again for all your input
The shifter on the down-tube is clamped on – It looks like a double one so I don’t know if (Or Why) someone has relocated the front shift onto the handlebars ??

Another clue might be that it originally had two brazed brackets for a pump on the underside of the crossbar – The rear one having being ground off to accommodate the aluminium Raleigh pump that came with the bike.

So it is looking like it is a Grand Prix or Super Grand Prix from (At least according to the serial number) 1980 ??

Thanks again Everyone for all the input
Best Regards
Rob

formicaman

My '78 Competition has the Nottingham headbadge and the Campi clamps for the shifters and cables, so that adds to the mystery.

RaleighSport

Welcome to the Raleigh club, she's perty