AL NZ

I have the chance to buy a Raleigh Carlton with half-chromed forks, my size (approx 23" - 57cm - but I haven't measured it), new-old-stock Arabesque Shimano 600 set, nice leather Brooks, new Brooks leather bar tape fitted, and new 700 rims spoked to it.
A nice bike, just what I want for a bit of gentle fitness
Asking price NZD $600, about $350-400 USD I think.
A very fair price, and I will probably go for it.
I had the kids in tow today, so it wasn't quite the moment to seal the deal

cehowardGS

First, I am a newbie, and a Raleigh apprentice. With that said, my take isn't gospel!!

What model is it, Professional, Competition, Grand Prix, etc?

I got 3 Raleigh Competitions. I got two 79s and they are both Carltons, one of them is a 85, made in Japan.

The last one I got, which was a Carlton, I coughed up $525. Asking price was $600 too. It is going to boil down to how bad you want the bike. I have NO REGRETS... I talked to the seller to work the price down, but my mind was already made up to get it. I would go about it the same way, if you want the bike. The first Carton, my son gave it to me about 30 years ago..I paid $152 for the 85 Raleigh Competition.

Here are both of of my Carltons, which I love... the one with the leather bar tape is the one I just recently aquired.

cranky old road 

There was a Raleigh model "Carlton" that has a half-chromed fork, stamped dropouts and plain gauge 531 tubing. Not worth so much. A stripped frame happens to be featured in this thread.

remotelocal

Hey Al NZ, i picked up a '81 carlton raleigh competition in stunning cond (with arabesque too, very beautiful!) from down in Dunedin for about half that price, but then had to switch to 700c wheels, and grip the bars, replace the brake pads and recable the bike so it likely clocked in about the same price in the end. i it is a 531 frame, i couldn't recommend it more highly! mine is a lovely bike to ride. it's not as whippy as my gios, but it's an absolute pleasure to ride.