It isn't snobbery when the OP asks for the advice.

-Kurt

I'm pretty sure you did well, too.

Precisely the point I was making.


I agree that it sounds like a good buy - congratulations.

I cleaned/greased/adjusted the BB, headset, and both hubs. I didn't have to replace any bearings or races. They were all in great condition! I also gave the bike a general de-greasing and shifter adjustment. There was a caked on layer of grease/dirt/grime over mostly everything. Its clearly not done being cleaned, but I've gotten most of it off. I replaced the brake cables, handlebar tape, and chain. I trued the wheels as well, and that was my first experience with tubulars. What a mess! You can see the mess I made of the tires in the photos.

Its riding great and looking pretty good as well. I'm probally going to replace the freewheel because its the type with a groove on the teeth that catches the chain. I'm also going to replace the shifter cables and build a clincher set of wheels for it. I don't like that tubular glue!! She is light and fast!!

I forgot to mention I also conditioned the saddle, and buffed all the little rust spots off the chrome.

A question to any ex-Raleigh employees curfing this thread: What were those Raleigh folk on in the 70s? Model names and specifications seemed to change daily. Hey, maybe it came down to whatever stickers were on hand when the frame came out of the paint booth.
I posted a thread a week back about my mid/late 70s team coloured 531 bike, which is labelled a Team Raleigh Rapide. I kid you not. Never seen anything like it anywhere. Rapides were usually bottom-end gaspipe (btw so were Records as I recall).Yet mine's 531db. Duhh.

I don't know, but there's a rumor that some of the same folks came across the pond and went to work for Schwinn in their serial number department during the '80's.

Jesus - that thing looks nearly NOS. Top find.

Incidentally, it looks quite like the U.K. market Team Record. Might be one.

-Kurt

When the original owner bought it, she was just a frame set that the local LBS put together. I am also thinking it is the U.K. Team Record.

+1!



You did very well in aquiring that bike! She's a beauty!

Wrong. Quite clear model branding. You just have to know which is which.

I see 'em regularly, there are a lot more Team Rapides out there than Team Records (or Team Professionals, naturally).

Just the three main frame tubes.
Team Rapides have gaspipe stays and fork.


You're lucky, seems the former owner made some *very* good equipment decisions!
Best RD of that decade [IMHO], the best SR cranks available at the time [don't worry, they don't break as easily as Campagnolo Records ].
Sadly the hubs aren't really visible - Maillard/Normandy? Hopefully of the good variety. If so ...

... you have one of the best riding bikes of the seventies, says this guy:


Have fun riding this desirable classic!

BTW: Bike was made in WorkSOp near Sheffield, GB (no h).

Thanks! You gave me some great info. BTW the hubs are Normandy Luxe Competition. It sounds like I have quite a gem on my hands!

Just a minute. A 531 Team Record is a Worksop built (as opposed to Ilkeston) Raleigh Professional frame with the Team paint scheme. Depending on the components and condition, $700.00 could be a very fair price. If it's in good shape and has Super Record or Dura Ace components - definitely worth the $700.00 IMO.

These bikes essentially were Raleigh Competition G.S. frames with Suntour Cyclone Derailleur sets.
I have one (bought as frame only) that was in the same colors, since has been repainted.
I have replaced all componentry with Campagnolo G.S., including a rare G.S. 5-arm crank with Campagnolo Chain Protector (I would include photos if I knew how).

These bikes were intended for sale on the French market (they were called "French Records").
I believe that Raleigh scrapped that idea, because of lack of interest.
These bikes and frames were sold at local shops for a discount.
That's how I came into mine.

Nice riding bike!

I have a stable of Raleighs that include:
Team Pro (531), Full Campy Super Record
Competition (Zeus Drops, 531 main tubes) Campy G.S. (SR crank from French Record)
"French Record" Full Campy G.S.

Still looking for a vintage 1970's Raleigh Pro (direct stays & sloping fork).

You might want to visit RetroRaleighs.com (The Late Sheldon Brown - RIP).
Sheldon passed away Sunday from a massive heart attack.
He had been heralded as the most knowleged person on Vintage Raleighs.

Let me know if you picked up the bike.
Let me know if the upload of my photo was successful.

I got the bike! Read the rest of the thread

I do not see your photo, but I would LOVE to see your bike. It would be nice to see the same bike. for a while I didn't know what the heck I had. Thanks for clearing it up!

Not sure if these photos took, but there are images of my "French Record", painted in purple metallic; "Competition", painted in Raleigh Pro Blue Mink/Silver (I bought it that way); Team Pro (531); 7-11 Team bike (Serotta).

Aha!
Max size is 100kb, had to resize them.

I finally uploaded photos.
Max size is 100kb.

Let me know if you are able to see them.

Phil

Look at that!!! Thanks for sharing!

Found this bike in some classifieds. Serial #H2447. Owner has confirmed it is reynolds, 5xx assuming its 531.

Looks like there has been a upgrade to the shifters / breaks (shimano?). So it won't be the complete record group I was hoping for.

Thoughts? The owner posted it as "make me an offer". What's it worth?

Valuation questions must be posted to the "What's It Worth?" subforum.

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...-amp-Inquiries

Please don't bump old posts for the purposes of asking these questions.

-Kurt

P.S.: I want to bet that that Team Pro is a repaint. It looks too good, and I'd expect a team replica to have an SDBU serial number.