We took on the Raleigh line in 1977 because the local dealer was fading out of the picture and there were some loyal fans who wanted to buy Raleigh Pros and Team Pros. We also had a need for bikes in the ~$175 price range that the Grand Prix model filled.

We were a little surprised by the changes between the 1976 Mk IV and the 1977 Mk V. They had new style lugs with cutouts and side windows, a new fork crown and willow leaf caps on the seat stay tops.

The first 1977 Pros had a darker blue-gray colour than the previous Mink Blue Mk IV bikes plus a new style Raleigh down tube logo.



I think the lugs were Bocama Competition 83 style and the crowns were Bocama too.



Some of the new generation Pros and SBDU Team Pro frames used these slotted Haden BB shells. The walls were thicker than a lot of the BBs in use at the time and they were quite heavy even with the slots.



The 1978 Pros had a little brighter Mink Blue.



In early 1979 some yobs from Raleigh came to town unannounced, walked into our shop. They wanted us to drop all of our other brands and "floor plan" the complete Raleigh line. I think we showed the the way the door opened out. Shortly after that I left the bike business.

I've seen pictures of quite a few Raleigh resprays where the painters seem to have taken a lot of artistic license as far as not matching colours than probably any other C&V bike model!

verktyg