Raleigh serial numbers
 

I have a Raleigh 3 speed '73 LTD3 and cannot find a serial # anywhere. Checked underside of BB, chainstay, drop out, seat tube, headset and etc. Is it possible that some Raleighs were manufactured w/o serial numbers?

It's definitely possible as Raleigh seemed to do fairly random things with serial #s. In that era, it was fairly common for the serial # to be stamped on the left-side rear dropout, at least for some of the road bikes. I have a '73 Sports, so I'll check and see if there's a # anywhere other than on the rear hub.

Neal

Sometimes the stampings are a bit shallow, and the paint a bit thick. If there's any dirt over the serial number when these two events occur, it will be quite difficult to spot.

My '74 Superbe has the serial number on the rear/side of the seat tube

I checked the '73 Sports: the serial # is on the top of the seat lug, just about where it joins the top tube. Ymmv.

Neal

That is where all of my 70's vintage Raleighs Sports are stamped, some are easier to read than others.

Aaron:)

Both my Sports are stamped in the same location as yours Neal.
But my 73 Record is stamped on the left dropout
My 74 Grand Prix is stamped on the good ol' bottom bracket housing.

Check on the back of the seat tube, framed by the seat stays. Thats where it is on the '81 GP.

More Nottingham strangeness:D