oldbikenewbike

I haven't had one of these in probably 20 years, and since it was still with the original owner who was moving, I bought it. Another project so I won't be bored!








Owner was my height, 6', and a very nice gentleman who kept the bike in a nice dry basement. This is probably the reason that the Simplex front derailleur hadn't cracked open like so many I've had. Bike needs a good cleaning and detailing, but all functions as it should and smoothly.


What got me were the decals on the forks and down tube..."Made In Workshop, Carlton Race Approved. Made In England". I thought those only went on the high end bikes with 531 Reynolds? And the nut on the rear derailleur Has a "C" on it, not the Raleigh "R" like on my Sports models. Any idea why? Obviously this is just a basic 10-speed, right?

oldbikenewbike

Kilroy1988 

The guys at the Worksop factory could be rather spontaneous about how particular bikes were assembled based on what components they had on hand. As a rule the American market bikes were set up in catalog configuration, but small details could change rather easily.

The Grand Prix was made by the same men on the same lines that made a comparable "Carlton" model that was marketed in the UK at the time, so it was simply a matter of pulling decals and seat post bolts out of one box or another to determine how the bikes were set up.

Many American models made in Worksop have the same decals as yours, by the way, but of course the little bolt is a rather interesting touch.... Cheers!

-Gregory

oldbikenewbike

I forgot to say I paid $40 for it...

This should be a relatively easy cleanup, though, considering the amount of grease on the bike. Oh, I aired up the tires, and to my surprise they've held air overnight.

chainwhip

That's a tall frame!

I'm 6'1"/34" cycling inseam, and I wouldn't be comfortable on a frame that large.

C to T = 25"??

Raleigh Frame Sizes, C to T:
21.5"~55cm
22.5"~58cm
23.5"~60cm

Kilroy1988 

The Grand Prix, Super Course, and Professional were also made in 25.5" frame sizes starting around 1970.

I'm also 6'1 and have a 34.5" inseam. I can just stand over these 25.5" frames while barefoot, and have regularly ridden two of them in the past.

Here's the matching 1970 Grand Prix catalog description, courtesy Sheldon Brown's Retro Raleighs website:

Murray Missile 

I'm 6' 1-1/2" 34" inseam and almost all my road bikes are 25". I 'm uncomfortable on a 23 without changing the seat post, stem and bars. A red GP that vintage and that size has been on my grail list for a long time. It was my first "real" bike 47 years ago......

belerg

I have the same bike with a 21 1/2 inch frame. It's a tank but rides rather well. That wrights saddle looks like it's in pretty good condition, great saddle imo.

oldbikenewbike

All of my Road bikes have 24'' and 25'' frames. Anything less and I'm to hunched over with my 6' body.

Oh, and because of the Simplex components, I believe that I have a 1972 model, as per a Catalog I found online.

And cleanup is coming along nicely!

oldbikenewbike

Still need to polish the chrome, but I'm pretty happy with it. And yes, it's a 25 1/2'' frame...but I'm good with it. And it still has its original, dried out and cracked, Dunlop tires on it.

Murray Missile 

I'm not sure if this applies prior to 1973 but it might be of some use. As I recall mine was an Irish built '72 but it's been gone 45 years so who knows, I only have one very grainy black and white of me on it that was scanned from my Sr. yearbook and all you can make out is that it is a "10 speed" with a skinny long haired kid on it.

oldbikenewbike

GREAT info!! Thanks so much!

oldbikenewbike

That has the HURET components...mine has the SIMPLEX, which began in 1972.

Murray Missile 

You are most welcome, I can't remember where I found that, probably here in C & V. I put a LOT of miles on mine in the short time I had it, wish I still had that kind of drive.

Kilroy1988 

Indeed, at that point in the conversation I was simply discussing the available frame sizes since it came up. Cheers!

oldbikenewbike

1971 model. Top tube decal is the same on only the '71 and '72 models...

unworthy1

The "C" on the red cap nut on rear axle is not for "Carlton" but rather for (cheap) "Campagnolo", see this pic of the "boat anchor" Campy Gran Turismo RD, courtesy of velobase.com...OR there was some flagrant trademark violations going on, BITD!

oldbikenewbike

LOL! Now THAT makes sense!