Fairlane63

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/d/san-carlos-vintage-rare-1972-raleigh/7581850141.html

Thought I would ask for the wisdom of the group here. This is on my local CL and would like opinions about the price.
Think its in the ballpark since this is the SF Bay Area and all.
Spoke to the owner and I am going to look at later in the week.
Seems like an easy restore for me and its a model I lusted after as a young lad. (Usual story with us older guys)
Brake hoods, pads, grease, tires, cables probably. He did say it comes with a new set of tubular tires.
Seems to be on the high side to me but these don't come around everyday in this very good condition.
Thanks for the opinions in advance.

garryg

I can.t see the bike but i will tell you this.If you want it don,t wait until later in the week,it will be gone.

curbtender

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik...581850141.html

Vintage Rare 1972 Raleigh Professional - $1,250 (San Carlos)

‹image 1 of 19›

Fairlane63

Thanks for the help. Yeah very tempting.
Realize others may be interested too.
Meant to say I have no connection what so ever with the bike.

curbtender

Looks really clean. My only worry would be that if it has sat unused things could be frozen up. Doesn't hurt to bring a few tools to check. Good luck.

curbtender

I think it's priced high enough to scare off flippers.

SurferRosa

At $1250, I doubt it.

I think it's $3-400 overpriced. But if you want it, what's $400?

Slowride79

Where the chrome meets the paint on the fork blades and seat/chain stays is supposed to be gold lining. What’s this red? Paint? Tape? If in the best case it’s tape I don’t see how it doesn’t take off the gold lining when you go to remove it. At that price there should be no issues to remedy.

Fairlane63

Asked about the seat post and if it moves freely. Seller said it moves so that a plus at least.
Non original red paint is not a deal breaker at the right price. Good eye.

RCMoeur 

My favorite racing frame of the era with very distinctive details. This judgment is of course not affected in the slightest by the fact an "experienced" Campy-deprived Mark IV frame and fork in my size was the only "real racing frame" I could afford as a starving racer / student just out of high school four decades ago. Mine still rides as beautifully as it looks with its gleaming sloping fork crown and fastback stays, even though purists might be offended by the bullhorn bars and early 90s Suntour indexed drivetrain.

Returning to the bike in the ad, it looks to have all its original Nuovo Record componentry and original tubular wheelset and paint. That's definitely worth something in terms of collectors value. Whether it's worth the asking price, though, is a personal decision on the part of the buyer.

roadcrankr

Looks very nice. Almost period-correct and original.
I own a '73 in the same color and all original, down to the bar tape and chain.
It will sell close to the asking price in the Bay Area. Plenty of wealthy, retired folks around there.
An identical listing in, say, Pocatello or Bismarck would command a lower price.
Funny that the seller knows the lug type, but says 27-inch wheels and Nuevo Record. ha ha

bikingshearer 

The price is high, but not too high if you really, really want a Raleigh Pro and either: (1) you want it as a "garage queen" to stare at and drool over or (2) you want it as a rider and it's your size. If it met these criteria for me, I'd go tonight with cash in hand ready to buy. Full disclosure: I don't mind overpaying a bit for something I really want.

Note that when I say "it's your size," I mean exactly that; it is your size. Not close to your size, not "I can make it work," not "it'll do." I mean It Is Your Size. Most of us have a 2-3 cm range, maybe a little more, within which we know the bike could fit us well. If you know your "sweet spot" range, do not vary from it if you want a rider. If you want a display bike, or maybe a coffee shop run bike, size matters less. But do not compromise on fit for a rider. I have compromised on size in the past and regretted it. A middle-of-the-road rider that fits is better than a Confente that does not.

Also, if it is to be a rider, you need to test ride it to make sure - wait for it - that it fits and to make sure everything works. And give a good looking over for anything that looks like a dent or evidence of a crash. For example, from the photos in the ad, I see a funny-looking bump or dimple or something a little below the headbadge. What is that? If all checks out, I'd offer $100 or $200 less than asking price, but I'd be prepared to cave if he held firm. All this is assuming I was jonesing for a Raleigh Pro, which I am not. But I have been in this situation before, and I remember the feeling.

Good luck. I look forward to hearing about your new-to-you Raleigh Pro. I have no idea how they ride, but that color scheme is sooooo cool, and I thought so as a teenager.

Those are my opinions, and they are worth exactly what you are paying for them

Pcampeau

The bike is my size, and if I lived within a couple of hours drive or so, I’d overpay for it. I’d try and get the price down a bit, but I really like the bike and I know that I’d soon just forget about the couple/few hundred extra dollars and enjoy the many rides I’d have. It would be worth it to me, is it worth it to you?

Full disclosure, I do have a 72 Raleigh Pro. It’s a size smaller than perfect and it’s been repainted but done well. I love it!

Fairlane63

Such great advice guys. I did notice that little dimple too or smudge on the front tube.
I am 6'2 and the current owner is 6'1 and it fits him fine he says. Will find all this out when I see it.
I work close to him so he's available at lunch time a bit later in the week. Its one of those if its meant to be things.
My Bianchi is a 60cm and fits well. The Raleigh looks to be about the same.

polymorphself

As others have said, objectively overpriced, but could be subjectively worth it if this is a bike you have to have (and I wouldn't blame you).

Bad Lag

My thoughts -

1. To my eye. it appears to be what Raleigh calls a 25 1/2" frame not a 24 1/2". It just looks too big to be anything smaller than 25 1/2. I could be wrong. Yes, it is all about how/where you measure.

2. Frame size and your height are numbers that matter not, if the bike fits your leg length (inseam). I am your height but my 34" inseam meant my 25 1/2" Raleigh with 700C tubulars was a tad too tall. Have seller measure the stand-over height.

IF IT FITS AND YOU WANT IT, BUY IT.

52telecaster

I payed 350 for a pro frameset with seatpost, headset and a few other items. It's my size and I don't regret it a bit. Great ride.

Fairlane63

You guys are all enablers. Reached out to the seller and I will keep this updated..

Thanks!

52telecaster

It's our mission!

merziac

Always remember, "asking price".

And also, the "birdsmouth" lugs are not rare, they were standard issue on many if not most of these, cool to be sure but very common at the time.

Great find and cool as heck, I would get it done so long as it fits and you can make it work, very jealous if it is in fact a 25 1/2.

USAZorro

Condition of the bicycle and the geographic market seem to bias the price upward. Size may nudge it down a bit. Honestly, I doubt there were more than 1,000 Professionals made that entire year - possibly substantially fewer. If it were my size, and my "itch", I'd prepare myself to pay what's asked, but hope to pay about $300 less.

cinelliguy 

Look at it, inspect for issues, ride it a bit, see how it tracks, and if you like it, buy it. I think the price is a bit high, I am not an expert on the brand, but like you said, it fits and they don't show up, locally, very often.

cb400bill

Thread moved to C&V Appraisals.

merziac

And obligation, we don't want anybody to miss out on the "fun" or expense we've had with all this.

curbtender

Guess that will make you eligible...
SF Peninsula C&V Ride: First Saturday of the month