Please help identify my bike pictures included
#1
wadestar
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Please help identify my bike pictures included(New pictures added)
Hi I'm having real trouble identifying my bike and I hope someone here can help here are some details
Crank is Dotek, I think it's original,
frame has 531st decals and is painted black with a geen paint splash effect not sure if this is original,
derailers are shimano exage 300, rear hub also,
the quil stem has GB imprinted on it andhas an exposed bolt going down the middle,
It has mountings for two bottle cages, and also mounting holes for front and rear mudguards,
That's about all I can think of for now any help would be greatly appreciated.
I,ve included several pictures to help with identification.
Crank is Dotek, I think it's original,
frame has 531st decals and is painted black with a geen paint splash effect not sure if this is original,
derailers are shimano exage 300, rear hub also,
the quil stem has GB imprinted on it andhas an exposed bolt going down the middle,
It has mountings for two bottle cages, and also mounting holes for front and rear mudguards,
That's about all I can think of for now any help would be greatly appreciated.
I,ve included several pictures to help with identification.
Last edited by Wadestar; 01-27-10 at 07:27 PM.
#3
sultan of schwinn
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Is there a serial number on the back of the seat post (below the stays) ?
That particular Reynolds 531 competition is a sticker that was used from the mid 1980s on.
I have a hard time believing that this is the original component set, because they are much lower level than the components you can find on a 531 bike.
That particular Reynolds 531 competition is a sticker that was used from the mid 1980s on.
I have a hard time believing that this is the original component set, because they are much lower level than the components you can find on a 531 bike.
#4
Thrifty Bill
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+1 Bottom end components. I would not put a lot of work into finding a serial number as many of them are meaningless. There was no standard unfortunately on serial numbers.
Seat post size? That will guide whether the 531 sticker is legitimate.
Seat post size? That will guide whether the 531 sticker is legitimate.
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The pictures you posted aren't too bright (or are my eyes bad?) I think you'll get more help with better pictures of the fork crown, seat lug, brake bridge, rear dropouts and the lugs of the headtube.
Two sets of bottle cage bosses usually denotes a decent frame at least.
Is there a outline of a sticker or badge on the headtube? Or holes where one would be attached?
Two sets of bottle cage bosses usually denotes a decent frame at least.
Is there a outline of a sticker or badge on the headtube? Or holes where one would be attached?
#8
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The location of the buyer (UK), the location of the 531 sticker, and the GB stem, made me guess Raleigh (thus the question whether there is a S/N on the back of the seat post; some of them had it on the BB.)
Univega would be extremely hard to get in the UK
Univega would be extremely hard to get in the UK
#9
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531 ST is "Special Tourist": a heavier gauge set for touring bikes, yet this frame, so hard to make out details, doesn't seem to be one. Could be legit, could be a decal added after a repaint...better pics would help.
#10
wadestar
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Give me five minutes please I'll add some more pictures, there is no serial number back of seat post or under BB, I'm using the camera on my phone best I can do I'm afraid but I'll try to get some better ones,
THank you for all your help.
THank you for all your help.
#11
wadestar
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there are no marks on the headset tube where badge would be, the bike is light only came in at just under 21Ibs when it was fully built up so that makes me think it's genuine 531,
Here are the extra pictures sorry for the delay and once again thank you for any help.
Here are the extra pictures sorry for the delay and once again thank you for any help.
#12
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well, those help, but not enough for me to ID it (and don't worry, we're no in any hurry if you're not). Seems like it's an early to mid '80s frame, probably 531 ST as labeled, and has the double eyelets and rack fittings of a tourist, but no canti brake bosses. The GB stem is much older (like from early 70s). Looks like a nice one, but no idea of a maker, sorry.
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wadestar
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thank you nice to know it's probably genuine(using my phone to upload pictures took me over 1 hour to do so really slow connection that was the reason for the delay)
Thanks for your input.
Thanks for your input.
#14
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I have a GB stem exactly like that. Came on my 74' Raleigh Grand Prix.
IT certainly seems like a nice bike. Hope you get an answer.
-Gene-
IT certainly seems like a nice bike. Hope you get an answer.
-Gene-
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I had a 1990 bike with a 531 tubing sticker that was identical in style. Is there any stamping on the dropouts? Also, as stated, the seatpost size will be helpful also.
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#17
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(still do not get the ST part, maybe a better picture will help, it looks like "competition" -i.e. 531c- to me from that one picture and the geometry and the lack of canti bosses somewhat agree with it.)
some things that are clear to me are that
-the Exage components do not belong with the bike (and that crank is totally out of place)
-the cockpit almost suggests a copy and paste job from a late 70s Grand Prix (GB stem and basic DiaCompe levers)
-that paint job is probably a later one (thus the lack of ID stickers) and it might even negate the originality of the 531 stickers...
Here is a starting point:
How much does the bike weight as is?
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That could be right size for a 531ST seat tube, did you read the size as stamped on the post, or measure it with accurate calipers? I ask this cause it's very hard to get the fractional millimeters (.2mm) that separate seat post sizes with just vernier calipers and human eyes.
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wadestar
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The 531 decal says super Tourist on the bottom in red the bike weighs just under 21Ibs with the crank, seat in place which is an iscaselle light that was the weight before I took anything off it.
with the crank, seat, bb and front brakes removed it's down to 15Ibs(as you see it in the picture)
with the crank, seat, bb and front brakes removed it's down to 15Ibs(as you see it in the picture)
#21
wadestar
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No I had to use a metal good quality ruler, I do have good eyesight lol but I know what you mean about making errors but I'm pretty sure it's 27.2mm seat tube
#22
wadestar
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they do seat post sizes in 2mm difference between sizes? measuring again it's definately more than 27mm and less than 27.5mm I'm sticking to 27.2mm
#23
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the weight you listed (with the size of the bike) makes it a pretty light one. Not much knowledge on the Raleigh products on that side of the pond in the mid 80s, but this might either be one of them or a smaller British framebuilder job...