bdoberst

I recently purchased a vintage Raleigh Grand Prix, and despite checking with a few of the online "interpret your Raleigh serial number" websites (e.g. Sheldon Brown, Headbadge) I cannot determine either the year of manufacture nor factory/location. The serial number does not seem to fit any of the patterns mentioned on the websites I've consulted. The serial number seems to be AH70495 and is stamped on the left side back dropout lug.

If it helps, there is a frame label that indicates the bike was manufactured in Ireland, and the brake setup seems to support this. I'm a new member so cannot post photos yet...

T-Mar

Given that you've alrerady posted the serial, the photo provides no additional clues, as it just shows the droput with the serial number stampoed into it.

bdoberst

Yes, very true thanks. I don't think there's any other useful information in the photo...

cranky old road 

A photo of the decaling and date markings on components might provide useful in dating the bicycle .
FWIW- From Wikipedia: "In 1939, Raleigh opened a bicycle factory at 6 Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland and commenced bicycle production there. The Raleigh (Ireland) business expanded and moved to 8–11 Hanover Quay, Dublin in 1943. The plant produced complete bicycles and Sturmey-Archer hubs, and remained in production until 1976, when the factory burned down. Models produced there latterly were the Chopper and Triumph 20. The head badges changed in the late 1960s, possibly after the passing of the Trade Descriptions Act in the UK. Dublin-made machines no longer had "Nottingham England" on the Heron or Triumph head badge, the panel being left blank instead."

zukahn1

The info given would seem to indicate a early 70's bike a pic of the front head badge should be able to help confirm the likely year of production. Also there should simple 2 digit date codes on the hubs and most of the parts pretty simple for UK and Irish stuff just two numbers for the year typically on the center of the part.

bdoberst

Thanks for this. Just checked the hubs and could not see any numbers but it's good to know this anyway. I'll get my bike shop to watch for numbers when I take it in for servicing.

Still not allowed to attach photos yet, but the headbadge is the heron style, and has two lines at the bottom rather than "Made in Nottingham", so I think this is consistent with a 'made in Ireland' bike

bdoberst

This is really useful! The panel underneath the Heron head badge is indeed blank (two horizontal lines) so this seems to line up with a Dublin-manufactured bike.

bdoberst

A little more information on components in case anyone can narrow down the date of manufacture:

-Weinmann 750 VainQuer 999 brakes
-GB quill stem
-Wrights W3N saddle
-Simplex front and rear derraileurs
-"Raleigh" and "Grand Prix" is written in gold script against black background
-Seat tube decals indicate "2030 high carbon tubing" and ""Made in the Republic of Ireland"
-Head badge is the typical red heron against a silver background, but has two blank horizontal lines at the bottom rather than the usual "Made in Nottingham"

zukahn1

This is correct for a early 70 they had two dark green lines for the rocker while most have country or city on the rocker.

Desert Ryder

I haven't found a decoder for my serial number either. I've been told 1980? Anyone can confirm?
Raleigh Grand Prix.
Has stem shifters
Raleigh branded rear derailleur and Raleigh crankset.
Made in Japan.
Raleigh High Tensile Tubing
Serial # on bottom bracket - N0F7686

Kabuki12

I have a 1971 (I think) that is from Holland , there is a decal on the lower portion of the seat tube and the head badge has the lines instead of Nottingham England.

zukahn1

The small country of manufacture sticker at the bottom of the seat tube seems to be missing gone on most of the Raliegh bikes I come across.