Found a 44 yo - "Free To a Good Home" (Raleigh International Content)
08-23-18, 11:15 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Found a 44 year old beaut - "Free To a Good Home" (Raleigh International Content)
Today was a good day at work.
As I puttered around in the back grabbing my knapsack and such after closing up at the shop I work at, I looked up above all the employee bikes hanging at the rear of the shop and spotted something that didn't come properly into focus until I did a bit of a double-take and turned around to give it my full attention -- a few shiny details having caught my eye.
It had a note taped to it, reading "Free To a Good Home".
This is what caught my eye:
I'm not sure who left it there, as we have a number of people who work in the shop (including shop sales staff, techs, a frame builder, engineer, marketing guy, etc.), and folks from the head office of the company that owns the shop pass through regularly with and for various bike-related purposes. I suspect I know who it might have been, but it's just a hunch at this point.
It's my size. 1974, if I'm not mistaken. Serial # WD4004187.
More to follow...
As I puttered around in the back grabbing my knapsack and such after closing up at the shop I work at, I looked up above all the employee bikes hanging at the rear of the shop and spotted something that didn't come properly into focus until I did a bit of a double-take and turned around to give it my full attention -- a few shiny details having caught my eye.
It had a note taped to it, reading "Free To a Good Home".
This is what caught my eye:
I'm not sure who left it there, as we have a number of people who work in the shop (including shop sales staff, techs, a frame builder, engineer, marketing guy, etc.), and folks from the head office of the company that owns the shop pass through regularly with and for various bike-related purposes. I suspect I know who it might have been, but it's just a hunch at this point.
It's my size. 1974, if I'm not mistaken. Serial # WD4004187.
More to follow...
Last edited by mikemowbz; 08-23-18 at 11:21 PM.
08-23-18, 11:52 PM
#2
Pedal to the medal
Yessssssss
08-24-18, 04:35 AM
#3
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Very cool!
08-24-18, 05:11 AM
#4
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08-24-18, 07:32 AM
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nice. When it rains, it pours. 
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08-24-18, 07:34 AM
#6
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Another International rescue, excellent!
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
08-24-18, 07:54 AM
#7
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Damn, I had to pay for mine! Nice!
WD4... = W = Worksop, D = 4th fortnight, 4 = 74. All same as mine!
WD4... = W = Worksop, D = 4th fortnight, 4 = 74. All same as mine!
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
08-24-18, 09:24 AM
#8
Senior Member
Okay everyone. Keep your eyes open. There is an International with your name on it waiting right around the next corner.
Congrats!
Congrats!
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08-24-18, 09:27 AM
#9
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08-24-18, 09:39 AM
#10
Full Member
Awesome find! Good to see that it's going to a good home! Post pics of the build!
aceves
aceves
08-24-18, 10:17 AM
#11
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Thread Starter
Initial plan, at least, is to build up as-is - I'll sort out either some centre-pulls or longer-reach side-pulls and throw together with on-hand parts from the bin.
I've been trying to throw together a quality 'beater' - a great-riding bike that might fly a bit under the radar in the city - and the patina on this frame set makes it a great candidate.
I'd probably fit best on a 25 inch, though this one is a 24. Based on having fit myself on a 24 inch '77 Pro, with aid of a 30mm setback post from VO and a 130mm stem, I'm confident this will work well for me.
The paint, while very much showing its age, is really quite a glorious colour in person...as many of you out there know.
Keep your eyes peeled, folks!
08-24-18, 11:36 AM
#12
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Nice! Having the serials dialled down the the fortnight really makes 'em close cousins/siblings, eh?
I have been feeling awfully fortunate since about 8:09pm last night, for sure.
Initial plan, at least, is to build up as-is - I'll sort out either some centre-pulls or longer-reach side-pulls and throw together with on-hand parts from the bin.
I've been trying to throw together a quality 'beater' - a great-riding bike that might fly a bit under the radar in the city - and the patina on this frame set makes it a great candidate.
I'd probably fit best on a 25 inch, though this one is a 24. Based on having fit myself on a 24 inch '77 Pro, with aid of a 30mm setback post from VO and a 130mm stem, I'm confident this will work well for me.
The paint, while very much showing its age, is really quite a glorious colour in person...as many of you out there know.
Keep your eyes peeled, folks!
I have been feeling awfully fortunate since about 8:09pm last night, for sure.
Initial plan, at least, is to build up as-is - I'll sort out either some centre-pulls or longer-reach side-pulls and throw together with on-hand parts from the bin.
I've been trying to throw together a quality 'beater' - a great-riding bike that might fly a bit under the radar in the city - and the patina on this frame set makes it a great candidate.
I'd probably fit best on a 25 inch, though this one is a 24. Based on having fit myself on a 24 inch '77 Pro, with aid of a 30mm setback post from VO and a 130mm stem, I'm confident this will work well for me.
The paint, while very much showing its age, is really quite a glorious colour in person...as many of you out there know.
Keep your eyes peeled, folks!
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"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
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"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
Last edited by jonwvara; 08-25-18 at 05:59 AM.
08-24-18, 12:10 PM
#13
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24.5" but Raleigh measured differently than most others. I take your point on setting up a low-theft-appeal beater, but despite the wear and tear, the copper color is an attention-getter. I wouldn't leave it vulnerable to theft for even a minute.
I take your point on setting up a low-theft-appeal beater, but despite the wear and tear, the copper color is an attention-getter. I wouldn't leave it vulnerable to theft for even a minute.
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08-24-18, 01:11 PM
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So then the possible price range for a Raleigh International is anywhere from free to $1650 (recent eBay sale!), depending on condition, components, and disposition of the seller. Glad this one has found a good home.
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08-24-18, 01:28 PM
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08-24-18, 06:30 PM
#16
Disraeli Gears
The one in my house is WD4004075, only 112 ahead of your'n, and apparently the same size frame (62 cm CTT). Came to me brush-painted white, over red.
08-24-18, 07:13 PM
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Just checked, WD4005839. Looks like mine is the whipersnapper of the bunch. Instead of fortnight, really would be useful to know which day of he week it was built...
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
08-25-18, 09:40 AM
#18
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Three within the fortnight here amongst BF members! I'm in good company with this one, it seems.
I'll definitely be keeping the finish original - the major dose of patina in the near-total absence of any rust on this one make that decision for me, as I'd only really consider a refinish if truly necessary.
To be clear, no bike I own is left particularly vulnerable to theft - at worst, locked up in public with one of the better Abus locks for an hour or two in a considered location during daylight (with a few other bikes in the never-locked-outside category). I reckon a parts-bin build on this frame reasonable as a regular-use ride including that. I live in a high-theft city, and work in a bike shop; I'd say I have an above-average awareness of relative theft risk for my location.
Just coming up on my weekend after today, and I'll be digging up some 6 or 7sp Suntour wheels, derailleurs, and other bits from the parts bin to see how this might come together (in its first iteration, at least).
I might try to find a beat-up old Record or GS crank to go with the smooth-rolling Campy BB on the frame now, but likely Japanese parts for the moment as that's what I have on hand/on budget.
Can't wait to build up and get out for a ride!
I'll definitely be keeping the finish original - the major dose of patina in the near-total absence of any rust on this one make that decision for me, as I'd only really consider a refinish if truly necessary.
To be clear, no bike I own is left particularly vulnerable to theft - at worst, locked up in public with one of the better Abus locks for an hour or two in a considered location during daylight (with a few other bikes in the never-locked-outside category). I reckon a parts-bin build on this frame reasonable as a regular-use ride including that. I live in a high-theft city, and work in a bike shop; I'd say I have an above-average awareness of relative theft risk for my location.
Just coming up on my weekend after today, and I'll be digging up some 6 or 7sp Suntour wheels, derailleurs, and other bits from the parts bin to see how this might come together (in its first iteration, at least).
I might try to find a beat-up old Record or GS crank to go with the smooth-rolling Campy BB on the frame now, but likely Japanese parts for the moment as that's what I have on hand/on budget.
Can't wait to build up and get out for a ride!
08-25-18, 10:06 AM
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Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Now, Michael, if you look deep into your heart and decide your home isn't good enough... well, you know where to find me.
Now, Michael, if you look deep into your heart and decide your home isn't good enough... well, you know where to find me.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
08-25-18, 01:26 PM
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08-25-18, 02:51 PM
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mine is WL4004059. The 11th fortnight, I guess? Almost 6 months into the year.
Any chance that it was the 4059th Worksop bike for the fortnight? I'm sure they were working hard to get bikes out the door in the mid 70's, but was Worksop big enough to produce this many??
Steve in Peoria
Any chance that it was the 4059th Worksop bike for the fortnight? I'm sure they were working hard to get bikes out the door in the mid 70's, but was Worksop big enough to produce this many??
Steve in Peoria
08-25-18, 08:33 PM
#24
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Most Senior Of The Lot?
WC4006366
Condition as received, with all period correct Dura Ace save the headset and seatpost, which are Campagnolo. 630 mm (27") wheels (to enable the DA brakes to reach the rims (laced to DA hubs), I was told). Original owner was a NJ Bike Shop owner who regaled me with the story of getting the (mostly black) DA parts off the docks in the middle of the night. The date codes on some of the DA bits predate known DA. (I'm ever on alert for an appropriate frame on which to hang the DA. Sooner or later one will present? Maybe a 1974 Schwinn World Voyager? Perhaps a 1974 Fuji Finest? I don't know.)
His Sunday bike club rides had Police and FBI *******, as his clients were "connected". He culled this frame from all the Internationals which came to his shop. It rides quite well.
I've slowly been accumulating the parts to restore it to Campagnolo, by patiently waiting for "parts bikes" to present. Most recently I acquired a '72 Falcon San Remo variant which entirely unexpectedly has the last bits I need for this build. So this International will actually be tidied up sometime in the near future. (Apparently it's been over two years on queue...) I've put a few miles on it, but abhor those handlebars...
And it is a 24 1/2 inch 1974 Raleigh International in the copper colouration. Seems among us there are enough 24 1/2" 1974 copper Raleigh Internationals to initiate a proper "Registry". or at least start a thread?
Congratulations, OP, on your score!
(I had to pay full 1974 retail for mine, but it was an offer I couldn't refuse.)
Condition as received, with all period correct Dura Ace save the headset and seatpost, which are Campagnolo. 630 mm (27") wheels (to enable the DA brakes to reach the rims (laced to DA hubs), I was told). Original owner was a NJ Bike Shop owner who regaled me with the story of getting the (mostly black) DA parts off the docks in the middle of the night. The date codes on some of the DA bits predate known DA. (I'm ever on alert for an appropriate frame on which to hang the DA. Sooner or later one will present? Maybe a 1974 Schwinn World Voyager? Perhaps a 1974 Fuji Finest? I don't know.)
His Sunday bike club rides had Police and FBI *******, as his clients were "connected". He culled this frame from all the Internationals which came to his shop. It rides quite well.
I've slowly been accumulating the parts to restore it to Campagnolo, by patiently waiting for "parts bikes" to present. Most recently I acquired a '72 Falcon San Remo variant which entirely unexpectedly has the last bits I need for this build. So this International will actually be tidied up sometime in the near future. (Apparently it's been over two years on queue...) I've put a few miles on it, but abhor those handlebars...
And it is a 24 1/2 inch 1974 Raleigh International in the copper colouration. Seems among us there are enough 24 1/2" 1974 copper Raleigh Internationals to initiate a proper "Registry". or at least start a thread?
Congratulations, OP, on your score!
(I had to pay full 1974 retail for mine, but it was an offer I couldn't refuse.)
09-02-18, 02:51 PM
#25
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Thread Starter
Nice one, @machinist42!
Cool story. The (pre?) First Gen Dura Ace looks awesome on there.
I'm thinking First Gen DA, 1970s Sugino, older Suntour for mine, depending what I turn up in the bins...
The build on my late-summer windfall here has been put on hold temporarily, as it seems that despite having easily 8-10 various rim brake sets in my parts bins, none are both nutted and medium reach.
Considering whether I want to go with centre-pulls or standard calipers. I think a trip to the coop might be in order on that count. See what presents itself.
I've got a good set of wheels (1980s Superbe Pro freewheel hubs to some nice Mavic rims, 7sp FW), some NOS Suntour Cyclone band-on friction shifters that have been sitting in their little box in the stash for far too long, a long-setback VO seat post to get me the setback I need, a nice 1970s leather-covered saddle, and a few other bits lined up - and planning to dig around a bit more in the bins this holiday Monday to sort out some derailleurs and maybe a suitable crankset.
Promise to post pics here when I get enough progress on the build to have something worth showing...
Appreciate all the replies on this thread; it's really cool to hear about others' Internationals, of which it seems there are more than a few on the forum here!
Cool story. The (pre?) First Gen Dura Ace looks awesome on there.
I'm thinking First Gen DA, 1970s Sugino, older Suntour for mine, depending what I turn up in the bins...
The build on my late-summer windfall here has been put on hold temporarily, as it seems that despite having easily 8-10 various rim brake sets in my parts bins, none are both nutted and medium reach.
Considering whether I want to go with centre-pulls or standard calipers. I think a trip to the coop might be in order on that count. See what presents itself.
I've got a good set of wheels (1980s Superbe Pro freewheel hubs to some nice Mavic rims, 7sp FW), some NOS Suntour Cyclone band-on friction shifters that have been sitting in their little box in the stash for far too long, a long-setback VO seat post to get me the setback I need, a nice 1970s leather-covered saddle, and a few other bits lined up - and planning to dig around a bit more in the bins this holiday Monday to sort out some derailleurs and maybe a suitable crankset.
Promise to post pics here when I get enough progress on the build to have something worth showing...
Appreciate all the replies on this thread; it's really cool to hear about others' Internationals, of which it seems there are more than a few on the forum here!