Can anyone identify this?
#1
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From: SW Michigan
Can anyone identify this?
I bought this bike at a garage sale that is very light and has all high end (but older) parts on it. However, there is nothing on the frame that gives me a clue to who made it except for this decal on the forks. Can anyone tell me what I bought? Thanks.
#2
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From: New York, NY
Bikes: Black Mountain Cycles Road and canti MX, Cannondale CAAD12, Bob Jackson Vigorelli
That's a late 60s/early 70s bike with a 531 frame. I don't know who the maker is.
Pictures you need to post:
1. Full headtube from the side and front (not just the fork crown)
2. The seat cluster from the side
3. The rear drive side drop out viewed from the drive side
4. Any joins in the brazing on the frame or braze-ons that are non-standard.
You also need to tell us the seatpost size, and if you know it, the bottom bracket threading (or alternatively any numbers on the bottom bracket).
What you are showing is most likely not sufficient.
Pictures you need to post:
1. Full headtube from the side and front (not just the fork crown)
2. The seat cluster from the side
3. The rear drive side drop out viewed from the drive side
4. Any joins in the brazing on the frame or braze-ons that are non-standard.
You also need to tell us the seatpost size, and if you know it, the bottom bracket threading (or alternatively any numbers on the bottom bracket).
What you are showing is most likely not sufficient.
#3
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#4
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From: New York, NY
Bikes: Black Mountain Cycles Road and canti MX, Cannondale CAAD12, Bob Jackson Vigorelli
#6
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From: SW Michigan
I found "BREV. CAMPAGNOLO" stamped on the non drive drop out with the numbe127401 below it. It was covered by the quick release. There are no braze ons or markings on the bottom bracket. Again, thanks for any information.
#7
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#8
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From: New York, NY
Bikes: Black Mountain Cycles Road and canti MX, Cannondale CAAD12, Bob Jackson Vigorelli
Those are Campagnolo 1010 dropouts. That might be the serial number below it. Are there any other stamps on the frame, such as on the seat tube near the bottom bracket or on the bottom of the bottom bracket?
It looks British to me, but I can't be certain.
The Universal centerpulls and levers might winnow down a window, too.
Can you pull the seatpost out to look for the size? I would guess 27.2. If it were something else, that would be a clue. I would also guess that the steerer tube has a 531 stamped on that. You'd need to pull the fork.
It looks British to me, but I can't be certain.
The Universal centerpulls and levers might winnow down a window, too.
Can you pull the seatpost out to look for the size? I would guess 27.2. If it were something else, that would be a clue. I would also guess that the steerer tube has a 531 stamped on that. You'd need to pull the fork.
#9
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Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Looks more like 1274010 to me. This is a 7 digit number so it could be a Raleigh from 1970: Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts
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#10
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From: New York, NY
Bikes: Black Mountain Cycles Road and canti MX, Cannondale CAAD12, Bob Jackson Vigorelli
A Raleigh of comparable quality from this era would have been built in Worksop, and have had a serial number that started with a letter. E would designate 1970, and the serial number would have been stamped on the bottom bracket - with the exception being on the Grand Sport and Super Course, but the lugs and dropouts eliminate those as possibilities. The lugs and seat cluster do look very similar to those on my 1970 Professional, but there are differences also - in the fork crown and also the OP's bicycle appears to be lacking the arc'd rear brake stop which all the mid-upper tier Raleighs of the era had.
#13
Looks like wrap around seat stay and Raleigh did have those. Not saying that is what it is at this point though. Also looks like Universal 61's. New ones came out in 68' so if those are original it would most likely fall between for a year.
Last edited by Bikerider007; 05-24-16 at 02:08 PM.
#14
Good point ^ and yes that's a Vagner (Wagner) fork crown but best clues will be the ODs of the main tubes as well as seatpost size, BB threading...I don't recognize that vaguely "Heraldic" decal from anything seen before tho slightly like a Mercier, but could be a red herring...components include some Italian brakes and stem, French HS and cranks...very Continental!
#15
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From: SW Michigan
I checked the seatpost and did not see a size. The clamp did say made in England. The seat tube has a 1 1/16 inch ID and a 1 7/32 OD if that helps. There are no other stamps on the frame that I found.
#16
Really need more close ups if you want to see if it can be figured out. Seat cluster, brake bridge, bottom bracket (from non drive side so is easier to see).
#17
I know I suck at this, but there's a lot here that's screaming Motobecane to me, although I see at least one thing off. It's definitely a repaint and the fork decal is something aftermarket/custom.
Either way, cool score. What'd you pay for it, and where are you located, geographically?
Either way, cool score. What'd you pay for it, and where are you located, geographically?
#18
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Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Can't help ID, but it's a really good-looking bike. Dunno if I buy the "definitely a repaint/decal is aftermarket" comment above, but you know what? Taking another look at that decal, it really makes me think Poland, of all things.
Not suggesting it's a Polish-built bike or anything; that seems rather unlikely.
Oh, and if you decide that saddle isn't your thing, look me up!
Not suggesting it's a Polish-built bike or anything; that seems rather unlikely.

Oh, and if you decide that saddle isn't your thing, look me up!
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Last edited by Fahrenheit531; 05-24-16 at 08:53 PM.
#19
I know I suck at this, but there's a lot here that's screaming Motobecane to me, although I see at least one thing off. It's definitely a repaint and the fork decal is something aftermarket/custom.
Either way, cool score. What'd you pay for it, and where are you located, geographically?
Either way, cool score. What'd you pay for it, and where are you located, geographically?
#23
Totally serious, though. It's clearly a 70s bike, the lugs match the early 70s Team Champion (pre-74, IIRC). If the stays nearly wrap or ride high, geometry looks about right, crown fork is correct (Milremo or Vagner, I get the two confuse), and clearcoat didn't exist in the 70s, there's no way it'd be that glossy and thick unless it was never ridden, plus the non-descript decals, all which which suggests a repaint.
If the person who owned it was putting bikes together for someone, they surely had the resources. This is one of those cases where I wish [MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION] would show up and drop his 2¢. Bike screams high-end French to me. Maybe I'm crazy though
I suck with IDs.
If the person who owned it was putting bikes together for someone, they surely had the resources. This is one of those cases where I wish [MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION] would show up and drop his 2¢. Bike screams high-end French to me. Maybe I'm crazy though
I suck with IDs.
#24
#25
Totally serious, though. It's clearly a 70s bike, the lugs match the early 70s Team Champion (pre-74, IIRC). If the stays nearly wrap or ride high, geometry looks about right, crown fork is correct (Milremo or Vagner, I get the two confuse), and clearcoat didn't exist in the 70s, there's no way it'd be that glossy and thick unless it was never ridden, plus the non-descript decals, all which which suggests a repaint.
If the person who owned it was putting bikes together for someone, they surely had the resources. This is one of those cases where I wish @verktyg would show up and drop his 2¢. Bike screams high-end French to me. Maybe I'm crazy though
I suck with IDs.
If the person who owned it was putting bikes together for someone, they surely had the resources. This is one of those cases where I wish @verktyg would show up and drop his 2¢. Bike screams high-end French to me. Maybe I'm crazy though
I suck with IDs.






