Further proof that I can take a cheap bike and make it very expensive! I got this for cheap and have thrown lots of money at it to make it the greatest looking bike I have ever owned! I think it's a 1980 because the crank is marked with a 0 in a circle, and I was told that meant 1980. Rides great and is about the perfect size for me. Needs a little work though. The bottom bracket sounds like it is full of grit! As does the the Headset. Still rides ok but I'm sure I'm gonna have to spend a little more!
Before picture...

Replaced seat with Brooks B-17, White panaracer tires (the old ones disintegrated while riding it), Brooks handlebar tape and poor fitting new brake hoods.


After pictures...

Looks great!

I would say that riding it with the bottom bracket sounding like it's full of grit is a horribly bad idea, Grease it up or take it in for a service.

Disassemble and clean both of those before you ride another inch.

like the before pics way better.

I'm gonna work on the gritty parts before I ride it anymore, just wanted to see how it rode!
Don't worry illwafer, I saved the fuzzy seat and white hoods.

To me, good looks are worthless if it isn't in proper working order. You've got a lot of potential there for sure. Show it how much you car and tear it down and clean/regrease all the mechanical parts. It will be a night & day difference.

I do like the brown on black, but those hoods are terrifying. They look way too big, they must be squishy.

Edit: The serial number will tell us what year it is. Post it.

That makes TWO of us!!!

As a lover of Raleigh Competition GS, and Competition(1980+) those hoods don't appear to fit.

Great bike though.. What happened to the decals? Has it be repainted?

No, as I said, the hoods don't fit. The decals are there but very dark. They don't look to be painted over, maybe the colors were waxed away by some exuberant scrubbing?

I am the original owner of a 1980 Raleigh Competition GS. It's been my every day ride since it rolled out of the bike shop. Yours definitely looks like one of the family.

Mine still has the original drive train (SunTour), brakes (Weinmann) and wheels although most of the decals have blown away and the paint has been rubbed raw in spots. Replaced pedals and tires. Added a 6th gear to get my older, heavier self up the hills that formerly required only 5-speeds.

It appears that my bike is with me for the duration so I brought it to Assenmachers (Swartz Creek, MI) for a complete paint job:sandblast, primer, original black, clear coat and new decals, pinstriping. In order to reduce the chances of potential scrapes from clamps, braze-ons will be added for bottle holders and shifters. Steel frames allow that.

See www.assenmachers.com for refurbishing frames. Matt has a complete "body" shop for vintage bikes. He should also have a body shop for vintage riders.

I am the 3rd owner on my first 79 Raleigh Competition GS, and the 2nd owner of my 2nd 79 Raleigh Competition GS. The first one got some touch up, just to cover scars. The second one is prime, even got the orginal purchase slip showing price and options.