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-   -   Early 70s Raleigh Competition- Were they all "Mk. II"? (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1128272-early-70s-raleigh-competition-were-they-all-mk-ii.html)

vie303 04-17-18 11:04 AM


Originally Posted by USAZorro (Post 20287827)
I can answer part. If you get any brakes with recessed mounting, you would either need to change the mounting hardware (which could be more trouble than it's worth), or there would be drilling involved.

Again. You saved the day Zorro. Gracias!

vie303 08-21-18 10:38 AM

How would I post pictures here. It states that I cannot post URLs, but I'm not posting URLs .. just attachments.

rickrob 08-21-18 11:48 AM


Originally Posted by vie303 (Post 20287749)
So onto next sets of questions:

I'm replacing the Weinnmann 750 with a little more compact modern brakes.
Here are options and my thoughts:

Tektro R559 - Seems big (57-73mm)
Tektro R539 - Like the looks (47-57mm)

Would the R539 be the right fit for my Raleigh? Also, would there be drilling involved to accept the recessed nuts?

You can get the R559's in a nutted version. Or, if you have a recessed version, the front brake goes to the back and you can use a nut on that. You can get a new bolt for the front to make it into a nutted version. About $10.
Or, you can drill. I chose to get the new bolt when I mounted R559's to an older frame.

70mm conversion bolt

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce17e56013.jpg

BarryCW 08-21-18 04:53 PM

New Zealand resident Raleigh competition
 
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2f80c459d0.jpg
Hello people. I was lucky enough to score this Raleigh Competition, frame, stem, handlebars and brakes only. In a jiffy it turned into this single speed. The chrome is stuffed and the paint worn, however I liked the decals so much I decided to keep its history as is. These things as a novice Raleigh owner interested me: the braze on brake cable guides on top of top tube, the nifty braze on under BB cable guides, the lovely CC decal(?) on the seat tube top. The lovely 3ttt stem and Galli brakes and a handlebar wrap that is so beautifully done I will live with its thinness. I have nick named this bike brutus as the gearing I had available requires brute strength, but what a beautiful light and tight ride when conditions are right. At 30kmph on the flats a perfect blend of easy cadence and prolonged speed is possible. Too hard for me in the wind that's for sure. So is this an early 70's bike? If it is then it is my oldest.

Pcampeau 08-21-18 06:12 PM

BarryCW if you check The Headbadge website yours appears to be the export model that’s not decaled as a GS (Gran Sport) from 1977-1982. The C.C. decal is for Carlton Cycles.

vie303 08-22-18 08:34 AM

Thanks. That's another option to use. However, I went with using the recessed version using SRAM Force Rival Apex Caliper Mounting Nut Set of 4: 10mm, 16mm, 20mm, 30mm that I bought from eBAY.

vie303 08-22-18 08:37 AM

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ae6648cb2.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...39effe7058.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a9ee400e7.jpg

This is my version 1.0 as I'm planning to make other modifications in the future.

BarryCW 08-23-18 08:43 PM


Originally Posted by Pcampeau (Post 20519903)
BarryCW if you check The Headbadge website yours appears to be the export model that’s not decaled as a GS (Gran Sport) from 1977-1982. The C.C. decal is for Carlton Cycles.

and here it is, quite a handsome badge. Can we get closer to age and origin from here?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...164fff9b5c.jpg

colbz111 08-23-18 09:38 PM

very nice

USAZorro 08-24-18 08:00 AM


Originally Posted by BarryCW (Post 20524389)
and here it is, quite a handsome badge. Can we get closer to age and origin from here?
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...164fff9b5c.jpg

There should be a serial on the bottom bracket - though there are a few that had them on one of the rear dropouts. With that info, we can determine the age.

This bicycle does have the same lugs are the Grand Sports, and is certainly from the early 70's.

BarryCW 08-25-18 02:48 AM


Originally Posted by USAZorro (Post 20524931)
There should be a serial on the bottom bracket - though there are a few that had them on one of the rear dropouts. With that info, we can determine the age.

This bicycle does have the same lugs are the Grand Sports, and is certainly from the early 70's.

Thanks for taking an interest, the BB has serial number WN0001433. I have taken a real interest in how these bikes found there way to NZ. If it was imported at time of manufacture, it would have been one of the few that were allowed, the government of the time slashed import quotas so that the local industry could prosper during the 10 speed boom of the 1970's. 90% of bikes in NZ were made locally by Healing and Morrison (and we made many Raleigh 20's as well) In the late 80's this all changed, imports restrictions disappeared and the world changed, our cycle manufacturing more or less died. Bit of a rant, dear I say it even in non authentic single speed form it sure makes a fine bike to ride all these years later (once I worked out there is such a thing as 120mm drop out spacing....to further discover that a Shimano sealed bearing bottom bracket would screw right in made me very happy. Hope I don't get blacklisted on the Raleigh sites now.

Pcampeau 08-25-18 07:17 AM

BarryCW your bike was made in October of 1980. It is in fact an export model. The W at the front of your serial number indicates that it was made at Carlton’s Worksop factory. The N as the second digit was used to designate that the frame was made in October (each month was a different letter). The third digit is the is the year. A 0 is for 1980, a 1 would be 81 and a 2 would be 82. This serial number system began in 1973, before that W was not used at the front. If it had been a 1970 frame the serial # would begin with an E, 71would be an F, 72 a G. That system began with an A in 1966 and ended in the middle of 1973 with H and the W system began. I hope the 1980 year is not a disappointment to you as you have a bike that was made for Raleigh by Carlton at a time when they still put out great bikes!

Colnago Mixte 08-25-18 07:32 AM

So you're saying they don't put out good bikes any more? I just saw this brand new Raleigh USA Carlton frame in Reynolds 531 in another thread, looked awesome:

https://www.raleighusa.com/carlton-team-ti-6641

http://blog-imgs-81.fc2.com/m/i/t/mi...0064971008.jpg

Pcampeau 08-25-18 08:02 AM

Colnago Mixte I’ve noticed in recent years that you can get some nice bikes made by Raleigh again. It is my opinion, as a fan of C & V, that for many years you could not. The company that owns Raleigh today seems much better than Derby was. I accept though that many people will still like the Raleigh’s of the Derby years despite my opinion. I just really like the TI years I guess.

Colnago Mixte 08-25-18 08:10 AM

Does Carton still build these? I see the name, but in fairness, I have seen what Schwinn has done with some of their once-prestigious model names. like the Prelude and several others:

http://www.bikemania.biz/media/catal...step_s4030.jpg

Really! Stem shifters on a freakin Prelude???

Pcampeau 08-25-18 08:25 AM

Carlton closed permanently in 1981 but some very nice looking frames have been getting Carlton decals in recent years. That frame you posted is one of them. I’ve seen plenty of pics online but I haven’t seen one in person yet. I’m looking forward to it so I can judge for myself. I’m not sure where the new Raleigh Carltons are built but they are definitely not made by Carlton.

USAZorro 08-25-18 05:58 PM


Originally Posted by BarryCW (Post 20526528)
Thanks for taking an interest, the BB has serial number WN0001433. I have taken a real interest in how these bikes found there way to NZ. If it was imported at time of manufacture, it would have been one of the few that were allowed, the government of the time slashed import quotas so that the local industry could prosper during the 10 speed boom of the 1970's. 90% of bikes in NZ were made locally by Healing and Morrison (and we made many Raleigh 20's as well) In the late 80's this all changed, imports restrictions disappeared and the world changed, our cycle manufacturing more or less died. Bit of a rant, dear I say it even in non authentic single speed form it sure makes a fine bike to ride all these years later (once I worked out there is such a thing as 120mm drop out spacing....to further discover that a Shimano sealed bearing bottom bracket would screw right in made me very happy. Hope I don't get blacklisted on the Raleigh sites now.

I see Pcampeau caught my error too. That is a 1980 serial number. I am quite surprised by the lugs, as they're identical to ones on early 70's Grand Sports. It's not a bike to sneeze at by any means. Took a spin on my Grand Sports today. It is a smooth and pleasant rider.

BarryCW 08-26-18 05:25 PM


Originally Posted by Pcampeau (Post 20526688)
BarryCW your bike was made in October of 1980. It is in fact an export model. The W at the front of your serial number indicates that it was made at Carlton’s Worksop factory. The N as the second digit was used to designate that the frame was made in October (each month was a different letter). The third digit is the is the year. A 0 is for 1980, a 1 would be 81 and a 2 would be 82. This serial number system began in 1973, before that W was not used at the front. If it had been a 1970 frame the serial # would begin with an E, 71would be an F, 72 a G. That system began with an A in 1966 and ended in the middle of 1973 with H and the W system began. I hope the 1980 year is not a disappointment to you as you have a bike that was made for Raleigh by Carlton at a time when they still put out great bikes!

Thanks for this, I do so enjoy the detailed knowledge base that this forum has to offer. Among other things makes me feel a little less mad and obsessed. Not disappointed at all re the 1980 vintage, it is a great bike.


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