Raleigh Pro On ebay
 

I'm posting this because the bike's condition looks to be exceptional. I thought I'd share and I hope you enjoy gawking, even if you don't bid. I do feel like bidding on it, myself.

The Buy-It-Now price is a bit too much, IMO. Even though the bidding has broken $610 the reserve has not yet been met.

I'm reminded of Citizen Kane's, "Rosebud!"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=220362632356

I have no financial interest in this listing. I do not know the seller from a hole in the wall.

Yeah, I think the 2000 buy it now is a bit hopeful. Then again, I saw a really really beat Raleigh Pro frame go for around 1000 all by itself.

That bike is gorgeous though.

The Raleigh Professional was always at the top of "MY Must Have" bike list. However since reading posts on this forum about poor workmanship pertaining to brazing and comments about ride quality I'm not overwhelmed with bike lust for the Professional. :( At the right price I could be convinced to reconsider. :p

I am building up a Pro right now. I guess the workmanship does leave a little to be desired, but really is only a cosmetic issue. I can't comment on the ride quality as mine is still being put together, what did you read.... out of curiosity.

I still think the Pros are beautiful bikes, the metallic blue mink looks amazing with the anodized campy bits and pieces.

Here is my work in progress:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/...f3445df8_o.jpg

Well, if I stepped in it with my comment in my earlier post we'll hear about it shortly. I seem to recall some issues with brazing of the BB shell resulting in failure.

Nah, I wouldn't say you stepped in it at all. You have a totally valid opinion, and it is a known fact that Raleigh Quality control was sometimes an oxymoron. I know some of the forks on the superbes had failure issues. I have my Pro frame and I have a different well crafted 531 frame, there is a very big difference in the cosmetic finishing.

Raleigh seat cluster:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/...e8fd853c_o.jpg

other seat cluster:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/...d978b1ba_o.jpg

The subject Professional on eBay is described as having a 23 1/2" frame. It may not be 25 1/2" as others stated but it appears to me to be at least a 24 1/2" frame. For comparison, my '71 Professional here is 22 1/2". Regardless, the bike on eBay is beautiful and if it were 22 1/2", I would follow the auction with interest. BTW, I have no issues with craftsmanship or ride with mine. ;)
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...elsetc1/fs.jpg

I'll take all those 60-62 cm Raleigh Pros that C&V folks want to dump because of quality control issues. No way will I abuse a bike like the real pros would.

I have one and no ride issues at all. Quality is OK, not outstanding.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/81fdeb05.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/58769449.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a/d39b01c7.jpg

What size is yours? His looks the same.

I have a '70 that's 23 1/2, and the head tube is considerably shorter, but the seat tube is also a bit slacker.

You tall guys with money - go for it. :)

Mine is 23.5 inches c-c.

Raleigh Pros and Internationals from the early '70s look large. That is because the head tubes are longer--in part because the forks are shorter than those of 27"-wheeled bikes, and in the other part because the bottom brackets are considerably higher than those of most road racing bikes.

In '74 I bought an International. Since we didn't measure it I assumed it was a 24 or 24.5, and the dealer just went along with me, even writing the receipt for the assumed size. Weeks later I finally measured it and found it to be a 23.5. The slightly longer head tube had thrown me off. Not to worry, though, it fit fine.

I'm not crazy for these bikes because of their geometry, but they're interesting riders and remarkable for their durable finishes and decent workmanship. The slips that were hitting the lower models hadn't trickled up yet.