So...just for kicks I went to see the two 1973 Raleigh Sprites for sale since they were in my city. OMG. Whoever brazed/welded the lugs to the tubes was careless and/or Raleigh quality control at the time was horrible. On the step through the top tube to seat tube lug looked like I could get a fingernail between it. Both the head tube lugs were sloppy with lots of left over flux/solder or whatever you call it was squished up then painted over. Really, really bad. Please tell me that Raleigh had better quality control than that. Were these bikes that low on the lineup as to warrant such disregard for craftsmanship??? I had no intention of buying unless they were outstanding....and they weren't.
Will go see the Hercules this weekend. Seller keeps jacking the price up/down though. What's up with that!?