I'm making a concerted effort to trim the fleet and have an abundance of early 1970s Brit road bikes, so this one is up for grabs: a rare 1973 Raleigh RRA with Nervex Pro lugs in quite good shape.
These are a bit of a puzzle in that they were sold in just 1973 (
according to Sheldon Brown), do not show up in any known catalog but only on a dealer's price list, priced just below the top-of-the-line Raleigh Professional for the 1973 model year. They also featured Simplex Super LJ mechs and Campagnolo vertical rear drop outs, the only Raleigh models to ever have those components.
This example is well preserved. Serial # is H811 (indicating a 1973 year of manufacture). Original parts include Weinmann 600 brake calipers and Weinmann levers (with rare black Carlton hoods in very good condition), 3ttt Record stem, GB bars with nice engraving, Stronglight mod. 93 crankset with 52/42t rings and dustcaps, Atom 700 quill pedals, Simplex Super LJ front derailleur, straight pin alloy 27.2mm seat post. Added parts include a period-appropriate wheelset--Rigida AL 1320 rims, early Shimano 600 hubs, SunTour 5-speed freewheel, Maillard QR skewers, Panaracer Pasela TG 700 x 28mm tires in excellent condition, a broken-in Brooks Pro saddle with lots of life left, Bike Ribbon bar tape. It is also shown with a Simplex LJ 4000 replacement rear derailleur; I have the original Simplex LJ and will include it in the sale. Unfortunately, the spring and mounting bolt need replacement. I will also include a set of Christophe toe clips and straps at no additional cost; just let me know what size you prefer (I have S, M, & L).
Size is a 23.5" seat tube, measured center to top, and a 22.5" top tube, center to center. Standover is 33". Wheelbase is 103cm, and chainstay measures 43cm (thus, more relaxed geometry than something racier).
The Reynolds and Carlton decals are recent additions. The bike has been completely overhauled. New bearings and new grease in headset, bottom bracket, and hubs. New cables and housing.
Overall condition of the frame is 8 out of 10, given some scratches and chips here and there. No dents, however. One area of concern (and shown in the pic below) is some evidence of a hairline crack along the seat cluster cap on the non-drive side, a pretty typical occurrence for Worksop-built Raleighs. I would advise ignoring it or filling with super glue and keeping an eye on it. It presents no structural issues.
SOLD!