randyjawa 

I found this Raleigh Competition, at the Dump, today. There is no serial number to be found and I looked very carefully. It it located in some secret place?

Anyway, the bike is in ride able condition. The tires even arrived pressurized but I did not take it out for a spin, yet. I ramble.

Full Reynolds 531 frame and fork. The drops look to be ???

The component group looks non-original. Unsure of the components, and without a serial number, I am at a loss to determine how old the bike is.

Anyone care to comment on what year the bicycle is?

4Rings6Stars

Didn't you just pull a 531 Pug from the dump too? I know we've asked before, but how is it possible all of these bikes end up at your dump? I understand that lots of people think an old bike is junk, but the amount of quality bikes you find is astonishing.

Our local dump guy calls my dad whenever there is a bike brought in, usually 15 or so a year and 13 of which are Roadmasters or Next Power Climbers....

SteveSGP

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo unfair.

Nice find!

catmandew52

Check this page. https://www.jaysmarine.com/TH_raleigh_serials.html

noglider 

1982, I think, from the script on the frame.

Velognome 

82 or 83 High chrome on the fork, none on the stays and box lining

like this one

randyjawa 

The Peugeot and toy car, I got last week was Reynolds 501. It, too, is a nice enough bike and in excellent condition. Go figure?


As for the 1982 estimate, thank you. I think that might be pretty close. There is a Maillard rear hub on the bike marked 87. Does that seem possible?

Why do I find so many bikes at the Dump? I go there and scavenge a lot, and with the permission of the Landfill Site management, plus the support of the work force who put bikes away for me. The Raleigh, however, was pitched, not dropped off for Bicycles for Humanity.

I had to haul the Raleigh, and the Falcon I got with it, out of the blue metal bin together. The pedals were hooked into spokes and there was no way either bike was coming out of there as a single unit.

But they WERE coming out!

cudak888 

UK/Canada market frame. Don't rely on my guide too heavily for decal-dating one of those. I realize I have them listed, but my data on them is quite incomplete. Post the serial, if you get the chance.

-Kurt

custermustache

I have never seen a ladies Falcon. I also find it amazing that your dump keeps on giving.

WNG

Definitely can't be original components. The Raleigh appears to be high-end, but that crank looks like a SR 'Custom'. That's an entry-level crank with steel chainrings.
Looks like Shimano 600 or Golden Arrow derailleurs.
Nice scores.

randyjawa 

I wish I could but there is no serial number. Is it located someplace special?

First one for me also. My heart jumped a little when I got my first glimpse of the Falcon in the scrap bin. Then I noticed it was a Step Through and lost some of my excitement.

Most of the components have been changed out for who knows what reason. I do hope to find out what would have been original and fit those components to the bicycle. Even the wheels look to be incorrect. Should this puppy be fitted with 27" or 700c wheels. Based on the way the front brake is adjusted, my guess would be 700c since the brake pad is at the limit of its adjustment and still does not meet the wheel rim properly.

Anyway, weather and wife permitting today, I will do a complete set of "as found" pics for both the Raleigh and the Falcon. Might even give it a safety check and take it out for a spin. The bike arrived apparently ready to ride with pressurized tires and all. The Falcon, in much better cosmetic condition, however; does need to have the tires pumped up.

cudak888 

Back of the seattube or BB shell.

-Kurt

rootboy 

Here, they call our dump a "Transfer Station", and along with the hugh-falutin' name comes a NO PICKING policy. In other words, they want the proceeds for themselves. Won't let anyone grab anything from the pile. Consider yourself lucky you still have a "dump". Nice find .

Shionage

Hey Rand:

Nice day out there for a Thunder Bay November ride!

Rico

randyjawa 

Been organizing The Old Shed and next I have to go to the cottage for the last put away for the year. Had a nice ride on the Motobecane yesterday.

sailorbenjamin

Is that a metalic green Blumel on the Falcon?

lostarchitect 

Ah, the Thunder Bay dump! A truly magical place.

randyjawa 

I can't believe it but look what showed up at the Dump today...

A Raleigh Competition, identical to the one I found two weeks ago. Sadly, I got there just in time to see the blade, from the front end loader, descend on the bicycle. Though badly bent, the bike will still cough up its brakes, bottom bracket, headset, cranks, derailleurs and shifters, as well as that little top tube brake cable fitting, I need for the first found Competition...









And, to add to my joy, the Dump held onto this old Tom Richey for me as well...

FlatTop

It is epic to find two such bikes at the dump. Puts a smile on my face.

Randyjawa, it's great that you can grab these bikes and parts before they perish from rust or get smelted down to lumps of steel and aluminum.

randyjawa 

I miss quite a few. The first time I witnessed a nice bike dying, right in front of my eyes, was when a landfill site attendant looked me in the eye and then drove his tractor over an old, Campy fitted, Legnano...

TireLever-07

That's some lowend one piece crankset on Competition #1. Randy, you get better pickings than most yard sales and police auctions around here. Chris

rootboy 

aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

rootboy 

OK. Let's take a vote. We have to come up with a new name for Randy's "Dump".

753proguy

Agreed. It looks like there's way too much money up there around Thunder Bay, eh? I live near lots of rich people, and our local "recycling center" never has bikes anywhere near that valuable!

753proguy

Nice! Made in Japan (frame and fork)? Tubing type?