Well I finally acguired my "Holy Grail" bike...
12-31-13, 02:50 PM
#27
52psi
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Unreal. 
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
12-31-13, 03:02 PM
#29
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Like others have already written, definitely you've got a time machine, and you're holding out on us. 
Congrats on your find.
Congrats on your find.
12-31-13, 03:30 PM
#31
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Let's have the story! That is simply gorgeous. You need to at least ride it on nice roads and nice sunny days just to experience the history.
12-31-13, 03:59 PM
#33
Navy Retired
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OK. The story.
I've had my eye on this model for several years, thinking that a NICE one would be unobtainable for me. So....while ever watchful on the various purchasing avenues out there, this one came up on e-Bay. NOT one to get caught up in emotional bidding wars (and after several questions and answers with the buyer) I placed a max bid that I was comfortable with and low and behold it was mine with $2.50 cents to spare (if only the other bidders knew). 
The completed auction is out there if interested in what I gave for it, but rest assured, it was well worth the price. 
The background...purchased new (from the fellow I bought it from) in Dallas, Texas at World Bike in '86, without pedals. The original invoice I now have states same. Test driven with "donor" pedals and then ridden "only a couple of times" and placed in his collection. This rather senior gentleman ONLY has 35 similar condition bikes of all brands LEFT in his collection as he is down-sizing.
I scored an NOS set of correct pedals just yesterday and at a great price ta' boot.
It gets better. After I won the bike, I asked the seller how he was going to ship it (fearing damage). He asked if I would mind meeting him part way and he'd bring it to me personally! That turned into a huge relief for me AND he drove 10 hours round trip (to my 4) to ensure it's safe delivery. Do you believe it!
I'll take and post a couple more pics in a day or two.
The completed auction is out there if interested in what I gave for it, but rest assured, it was well worth the price. The background...purchased new (from the fellow I bought it from) in Dallas, Texas at World Bike in '86, without pedals. The original invoice I now have states same. Test driven with "donor" pedals and then ridden "only a couple of times" and placed in his collection. This rather senior gentleman ONLY has 35 similar condition bikes of all brands LEFT in his collection as he is down-sizing.
I scored an NOS set of correct pedals just yesterday and at a great price ta' boot.It gets better. After I won the bike, I asked the seller how he was going to ship it (fearing damage). He asked if I would mind meeting him part way and he'd bring it to me personally! That turned into a huge relief for me AND he drove 10 hours round trip (to my 4) to ensure it's safe delivery. Do you believe it!
I'll take and post a couple more pics in a day or two.
12-31-13, 04:08 PM
#36
Extraordinary Magnitude
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Beautiful!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
12-31-13, 04:40 PM
#37
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As I have said in other posts..."wow, oh wow!"...since you gave the story, which is great! There is simply not much else to be said...wow, oh wow! Gorgeous...wonderful...excellent...jeez...but...above all else...
CONGRATULATIONS ON SCORING YOUR GRAIL BIKE! MAY WE ALL, ONE DAY, SUCCEED IN THAT QUEST!
CONGRATULATIONS ON SCORING YOUR GRAIL BIKE! MAY WE ALL, ONE DAY, SUCCEED IN THAT QUEST!
12-31-13, 04:47 PM
#38
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I've had my eye on this model for several years, thinking that a NICE one would be unobtainable for me. So....while ever watchful on the various purchasing avenues out there, this one came up on e-Bay. NOT one to get caught up in emotional bidding wars (and after several questions and answers with the buyer) I placed a max bid that I was comfortable with and low and behold it was mine with $2.50 cents to spare (if only the other bidders knew). The completed auction is out there if interested in what I gave for it, but rest assured, it was well worth the price.
The background...purchased new (from the fellow I bought it from) in Dallas, Texas at World Bike in '86, without pedals. The original invoice I now have states same. Test driven with "donor" pedals and then ridden "only a couple of times" and placed in his collection. This rather senior gentleman ONLY has 35 similar condition bikes of all brands LEFT in his collection as he is down-sizing. I scored an NOS set of correct pedals just yesterday and at a great price ta' boot.
It gets better. After I won the bike, I asked the seller how he was going to ship it (fearing damage). He asked if I would mind meeting him part way and he'd bring it to me personally! That turned into a huge relief for me AND he drove 10 hours round trip (to my 4) to ensure it's safe delivery. Do you believe it!
I'll take and post a couple more pics in a day or two.
The completed auction is out there if interested in what I gave for it, but rest assured, it was well worth the price. The background...purchased new (from the fellow I bought it from) in Dallas, Texas at World Bike in '86, without pedals. The original invoice I now have states same. Test driven with "donor" pedals and then ridden "only a couple of times" and placed in his collection. This rather senior gentleman ONLY has 35 similar condition bikes of all brands LEFT in his collection as he is down-sizing.
I scored an NOS set of correct pedals just yesterday and at a great price ta' boot.It gets better. After I won the bike, I asked the seller how he was going to ship it (fearing damage). He asked if I would mind meeting him part way and he'd bring it to me personally! That turned into a huge relief for me AND he drove 10 hours round trip (to my 4) to ensure it's safe delivery. Do you believe it!
I'll take and post a couple more pics in a day or two.
Now, did you discuss other bikes he might soon sell off? If you did not... that would be your only error.
12-31-13, 05:40 PM
#40
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You are killing me. This has been on my want list for years and years. I have turned many of them down due to condition. I haven't even found one in my size at a silly expensive price. Id probably be willing to pay it. I take the 23.5 inch frame. I'm in deep envy mode and glad you found one!! Have fun with it.
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From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
12-31-13, 05:41 PM
#41
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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I just looked over the completed auctions list on ebay for similar... A number of bikes this color and similar size all obtaining solid prices in the recent past. You I think got the best deal. I was pretty happy with mine as being clean and almost all original (replaced bar tape, tires), but your example is concours level, maybe missing the AVA rim labels? And it looks like a cleanly built one too. Only the same condition with Capella lugs could top it. Well purchased.
Now, did you discuss other bikes he might soon sell off? If you did not... that would be your only error.
Now, did you discuss other bikes he might soon sell off? If you did not... that would be your only error.
Not a big fan of these after owing one, but it is pretty paint and very clean - congrats OP. I sold mine for a lot more than you paid and it had a lot more patina.
You are killing me. This has been on my want list for years and years. I have turned many of them down due to condition. I haven't even found one in my size at a silly expensive price. Id probably be willing to pay it. I take the 23.5 inch frame. I'm in deep envy mode and glad you found one!! Have fun with it.
12-31-13, 06:28 PM
#43
Senior Member
That is beautiful!! WOW!!
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
12-31-13, 09:40 PM
#46
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Yes, 1974 Raleigh International is a nice bike:
a vintage ride by incidence*, on Flickr
I love riding mine.
a vintage ride by incidence*, on Flickr
I love riding mine.
12-31-13, 10:02 PM
#48
Full Member
(and yes, the brake shoe has been re-adjusted).
12-31-13, 10:18 PM
#49
don't try this at home.
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It's cool seeing one in original condition. I've only seen the photos in the Raleigh catalog. I thought that Internationals came with sewup tires?
Retro Raleigh's 1976 catalog:
Mine has no original components, except for skewers and maybe pedals. It had been sitting outside or in a basement for a long time. The paint is still amazing, aside from rusty scraped spots.
Retro Raleigh's 1976 catalog:
Mine has no original components, except for skewers and maybe pedals. It had been sitting outside or in a basement for a long time. The paint is still amazing, aside from rusty scraped spots.
12-31-13, 10:20 PM
#50
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Nice of him to drive the 10-hour round-trip - that sounds like the icing on the cake, particularly with the weather back in the states. I'd have been really concerned about that beauty making it in one piece, too (FedEx and UPS are really taking a beating when it comes to delivering on their product lately). And how cool is it that you're only the second owner ever?
Thanks for the close-up of the head lugs
DD
Thanks for the close-up of the head lugs
DD
