Hi all

just picked up a nice old bike, was told it was a Raleigh but details don't look right. It has 6 speed rear spacing, sloping fork crown, pump peg on headtube, no name dropouts but they are tapped for axle adjusters, has a chain hanger on RH chain stay. 26.8mm seat tube ID. There are mudguard mounts on the dropouts but there is very little rear wheel to seat tube clearnce. Bike came with 1984 Shimano groupset (Z group) and 27inch wheels. Serial number is on bottom bracket shell - NQ73221 - does not fit what I know of Raleigh serial nos.Anyone able to identify or give any guidance on whether it s worth keeping?

It's hard to tell for sure, but those lugs look mighty Japanese to me. Looks like a good solid frame, though.

Must have.....Bigger pictures

+2222222?!!1

something on a non-yellow background would also be nice, too much contrast as they are.

Ken.

Not a Raleigh, stay tops look Italian but overall looks like Japan imitating Italy. Probably worth keeping, depending on your depth.

Here are what I hope are better pics:

Some have suggested it is Japanese frame. Pls note I removed the forks, expecting to see something stamped on the steerer tube. There were some very faint marks which look like "CrMo" but I can't be sure.

Any better ideas as to manufacturer????

Late 1980's Raleigh Pursuit, perhaps or a Nishiki?

Looks like a Japanese frame to me as well.

Based on the 26.8mm seat tube, 1984 Z-series components and 27" wheels, the most likely candidate is an upper entry level, Japanese or Taiwan manufactured frame. Consequently, the main tubes are most likely a manganese alloy, though CrMo is also possible. Six speed would be correct.

Based on the serial number format, it should not be a Nishiki. A Raleigh would also appear to be unlikely, as their prime Asian supplier was Merida, who used a different format.

However, the format does match a late 1985 Miyata frame. The components would indicate a model 110, however there are numerous variations to specs. It did not have a pump peg or shifter bosses. It did have bottle bosses, which you do not mention. The binder bolt ear and crown style do not match. Being a late 1985 frame, we should not rule out the possibility of a 1986 model, but there are still too many variations, namely the pump peg, binder bolt ears and crown style. So it would not appear to be a Miyata despite the serial number format. I have gone though this somewhat lengthy analysis in the event that somebody picked up on the serial number fomat and suggested a Miyata.

However, assuming Miyata manufacturing , the other possibilty is Univega. This would expalin the serial number format, while allowing for detail differences. Components and era would suggest a Maxima Sport. Unfortunately, while I have components specs for this model. I do not have any visual references to determine if the frame details match. Hopefully some other forum members will be able to confirm or disprove this.

The last possibility is that there were other manufacturers using similar serial number formats.

Possibly a Japanese-made Raleigh USA branded bike, hence the confusion.

The adjuster screws are missing but the tapped holes in the rear dropouts are there.......

There are 2 sets of bottle bosses - downtube and seat tube.

I'm in Australia so would be pretty surprised if it was originally from the USA, particularly if it is not a high quaility frame. Then again, anything is possible......