the lobster

Howdy all. I just picked this Raleigh USA up at a thrift store and would like to get a few insights about it.

First, the details:
Raleigh frame with Raleigh Cycles of America headbadge and Prestige sticker of non-drive side chainstay. No other stickers have survived. Shimano 600 crank, derailleurs, pedals, shifters, brakes.
Shimano BB
Cinelli stem
Raleigh USA handlebar
Dia Compe hoods (no name on lever visible, haven't looked under hoods)
Black Araya 700c rimes
Shimano hubs with QR (6spd freewheel)
Turbo saddle
SR Laprade post
Bosses for water bottle on downtube and one for a flickstand
Cable guides on top tube
8 digit Serial #4A5xxxxx and a "N" and a "R" in a circle (like registered trademark) under BB

It looks to me like this was a spray paint job by the former owner. Headtube, fork and rear stays are chrome but the rest of the bike is lavender with no stickers anywhere over the paint and no outlines of them underneath. The paint appears to be peeling in some places no just chipped. The bike looks like it may be chrome underneath. I know there was a chrome Prestige GS in 1985 but I thought that had Suntour components. I found a few Raleigh catalogs on retroraleighs and The Headbadge but couldnt find a bike outfitted like this one, nor one with a poorly executed lavender paint scheme.

So:
1. what year Prestige can we determine this is?
2. Do you agree this is a re-paint?
3.Is it a GS?
4. If it is a GS and is all chrome underneath, is there a gentle way to strip this paint and save the chrome?
5. If it's not a GS and that's bare steel under there, what do you recommend to strip the paint?

brian3069

It's a 1984 or '85. The original paint and components are gone, originally it was black. There is chrome under the paint, but it won't look as good as the chrome on the stays. Chrome that's painted over in the factory doesn't get polished. Looks like a rattle can paint job, it should come off easily with paint stripper. Chrome's tough, the stripper won't touch it. Check out the '85 catalog.

zazenzach

that fork looks bent (ie bike has been crashed)

is def a repaint. dunno but your other questions.

cehowardGS

The 85 Raleigh Prestige was top of the line (out the store/not custom)at that time. Chrome headtube, and beautiful black toptube.

Here is mine..

Large pic here https://www.cehoward.net/preszoom788.jpg

zazenzach

^^^

sweet baby jesus thats a looker

vintagepedals

1985 Raleigh Prestige Racing USA - the top of the line bike!

nlerner

Three-plus year-old thread: priceless.