Reynolds 531, any way to know besides the decal?
#1
K2ProFlex baby!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
Reynolds 531, any way to know besides the decal?
Its a "Portland" bike, made in England, three speed SA thumb shifter, SA three speed hub, looks like the typical English bike of the times....well besides a really laid back seat tube. There are no Reynolds markings on the frame, we only (the last owner and I) think there may be a slight chance its a Reynolds frame but this is soley due to the larger seat tube size. I tried to use a seat tube from an English bike that the last owner told me was the same size as a Sports seat tube but it didn't fit (to small) then I tried the seat tube from my Sports and that was also to small. I don't have the seat tube size from the Portland but will be measuring it today. I know that info is lacking but maybe someone can come up with an answer with it.
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 05-02-12 at 10:25 AM.
#2
Half way there
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 1,110
Bikes: 69 Hercules, 73 Raleigh Sports, 74 Raliegh Competition, 78 Nishiki Professional, 79 Nishiki International, 83 Colnago Super, 83 Viner Junior
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The tubes themselves may have faint stampings on them, but you would have to strip the frame to see.
Not much help, I know, but if you are planning a repaint take a look.
-G
Not much help, I know, but if you are planning a repaint take a look.
-G
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times
in
2,066 Posts
I've seen some old English racing 3 speeds that were built with Reynolds tubing, drop bars, and a tighter range of gearing. One thing to look for is whether the tubing is seamed or not. You can run your finger on the inside of the tubing. If it is seamed, it is probably high tensile steel. There is good quality seamed cro-moly and other steels out today but that would not have been the case when this bike was built. If it is seamless, then you have a bike with a higher quality steel and given the age and country of origin, you are probably talking Reynolds tubing.
#4
K2ProFlex baby!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
Thanks but the paint is in good enough shape that I'm not going to repaint it. Good to know about the poss stamping though. ;0)
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
#5
Disraeli Gears
If by "Reynolds" you mean Reynolds 531 double-butted, then a 27.2 mm seatpost opening would be de rigeur (typically seat tube was unbutted on top end, similar to Columbus). Reynolds made a ton of different tubing specs: seamed, seamless, straight-gauge, butted, so bikemig said, if it's English, then the possibility is good that tubing came from Reynolds. The best indicator of a special -quality tubeset is going to be the overall weight of the frame and fork.
#6
K2ProFlex baby!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
If by "Reynolds" you mean Reynolds 531 double-butted, then a 27.2 mm seatpost opening would be de rigeur (typically seat tube was unbutted on top end, similar to Columbus). Reynolds made a ton of different tubing specs: seamed, seamless, straight-gauge, butted, so bikemig said, if it's English, then the possibility is good that tubing came from Reynolds. The best indicator of a special -quality tubeset is going to be the overall weight of the frame and fork.
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 05-02-12 at 11:29 AM.
#7
is just a real cool dude
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,173
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
11 Posts
My 73' 531 Raleigh Competition didn't take a 27.2 seat post. I usually determine if it rides like your sitting on the shoulders of an angel then it's usually 531. I can't speak for 531C though.
#9
K2ProFlex baby!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
Wow! Los of different info! If it helps the frame looks a lot like a Raleigh Superb Roadster, but it is NOT a RSR, but does fall into the Roadster frame style.
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
Last edited by ilikebikes; 05-02-12 at 11:39 AM.
#10
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,852
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
I applaud the attention to seat post sizes, but I have some bad news for you guys.
My Norman three speed from the early 50's, which is not 531, takes a 26.4 post. I read somewhere on Sheldon's site that most Pre-Raleigh or Non-Raleigh three speeds took a 26.4 post, while Raleighs take a 25.4. He does not say so, but this is true of all Raleighs of that period, including the 531 ones; my 1951 Lenton Sports (straight gauge 531) my departed 1958 Lenton Grand Prix (straight gauge 531), and my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace (butted 531) all take 25.4 posts. I also have a Falcon from the 60's that takes a 26.2 post and it has a 531 decal, the type that indicates straight gauge tubing. For completeness' sake I'll also mention that my 40's Fothergill (unknown tubing, but it looks like it came with a 531 decal) takes a 27.0 post and my (departed) 1950 Norman Rapide (butted 531) was 27.2.
If you completely unbuild the frame, weigh it carefully. This will tell you a lot. Weigh the fork separately. I don't have my notes with me now, but I can tell you my RRA is considerably lighter than all the others.
I would like to see photos of your Portland. For some reason I have a Portland head badge.
My Norman three speed from the early 50's, which is not 531, takes a 26.4 post. I read somewhere on Sheldon's site that most Pre-Raleigh or Non-Raleigh three speeds took a 26.4 post, while Raleighs take a 25.4. He does not say so, but this is true of all Raleighs of that period, including the 531 ones; my 1951 Lenton Sports (straight gauge 531) my departed 1958 Lenton Grand Prix (straight gauge 531), and my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace (butted 531) all take 25.4 posts. I also have a Falcon from the 60's that takes a 26.2 post and it has a 531 decal, the type that indicates straight gauge tubing. For completeness' sake I'll also mention that my 40's Fothergill (unknown tubing, but it looks like it came with a 531 decal) takes a 27.0 post and my (departed) 1950 Norman Rapide (butted 531) was 27.2.
If you completely unbuild the frame, weigh it carefully. This will tell you a lot. Weigh the fork separately. I don't have my notes with me now, but I can tell you my RRA is considerably lighter than all the others.
I would like to see photos of your Portland. For some reason I have a Portland head badge.
#11
Junior Member
When Reynolds was offering the 50th anniversary decal, they wanted a tracing of the serial# from the bottom of the bottom bracket. When I sent that, they sent the decal. I would think you could take a tracing an send it to themfor an answer. Andy
#12
K2ProFlex baby!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
ase
Haha! rhm, glad you tuned in! I will post pics in a few minutes so please stay tuned!
I applaud the attention to seat post sizes, but I have some bad news for you guys.
My Norman three speed from the early 50's, which is not 531, takes a 26.4 post. I read somewhere on Sheldon's site that most Pre-Raleigh or Non-Raleigh three speeds took a 26.4 post, while Raleighs take a 25.4. He does not say so, but this is true of all Raleighs of that period, including the 531 ones; my 1951 Lenton Sports (straight gauge 531) my departed 1958 Lenton Grand Prix (straight gauge 531), and my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace (butted 531) all take 25.4 posts. I also have a Falcon from the 60's that takes a 26.2 post and it has a 531 decal, the type that indicates straight gauge tubing. For completeness' sake I'll also mention that my 40's Fothergill (unknown tubing, but it looks like it came with a 531 decal) takes a 27.0 post and my (departed) 1950 Norman Rapide (butted 531) was 27.2.
If you completely unbuild the frame, weigh it carefully. This will tell you a lot. Weigh the fork separately. I don't have my notes with me now, but I can tell you my RRA is considerably lighter than all the others.
I would like to see photos of your Portland. For some reason I have a Portland head badge.
My Norman three speed from the early 50's, which is not 531, takes a 26.4 post. I read somewhere on Sheldon's site that most Pre-Raleigh or Non-Raleigh three speeds took a 26.4 post, while Raleighs take a 25.4. He does not say so, but this is true of all Raleighs of that period, including the 531 ones; my 1951 Lenton Sports (straight gauge 531) my departed 1958 Lenton Grand Prix (straight gauge 531), and my 1948 Raleigh Record Ace (butted 531) all take 25.4 posts. I also have a Falcon from the 60's that takes a 26.2 post and it has a 531 decal, the type that indicates straight gauge tubing. For completeness' sake I'll also mention that my 40's Fothergill (unknown tubing, but it looks like it came with a 531 decal) takes a 27.0 post and my (departed) 1950 Norman Rapide (butted 531) was 27.2.
If you completely unbuild the frame, weigh it carefully. This will tell you a lot. Weigh the fork separately. I don't have my notes with me now, but I can tell you my RRA is considerably lighter than all the others.
I would like to see photos of your Portland. For some reason I have a Portland head badge.
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
#13
vintage motor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Posts: 1,589
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 100 Times
in
77 Posts
Sometimes there is a stamp on the steering tube.