Hi Bob and Folks--


The problem was indeed stripped alloy threads on the stock Normandy Lux rear hub. The rear cluster didn't have a brand name that I remember. Consistent with that is how the 1973 Raleigh catalog that I see on-line doesn't specify the maker of the 14-24 rear cluster supplied stock on the Competition model. Indeed, I continued to use the same (working) cluster on the Hi-E wheel, at least as I recall, until I replaced it with a 14-18 that I bought second-hand from another kid at snotty boarding school. (It was nice and flat in Southeastern Massachusetts where I grew up!)


Those were the days! I was lucky to discover road-racing bikes and sew-up tires as early as I did. Hi-end bikes are SO much more common now -- it's quite amazing how things have changed for cycling technology and performance, at least in small-town USA since the early 1970s. I had sew-up tires when all my hometown rat-pack friends had Schwinn Varsities. My gosh almighty, what a step up was the modest Raleigh Competition -- compared to that Iron Dog beast Schwinn Varsity! I'm sure there are a few others here who can relate to this nostalgia.... ;-)


Cheers--

--JWB.


PS: I've learned that I can't post pictures here until I make eight more postings. My Hi-Lo wheel is unusual but clearly not super-rare. If anyone is especially interested to see pictures, I'll generate some blather or something, and get pictures posted. It was fun riding such an unusual wheel -- and it worked for me!!