1972 Raleigh Competition Mk II - not so pretty pics
 

Let me know if the pics are too big - I can downsize them.

I really didn't think I'd be buying another bike real soon, but then I came across this Raleigh Competition Mk II. I didn't get it for a song or anything, but I think I got a reasonably good deal on it considering the condition.

The serial number is G8234, so that should correspond to being built in 1972. The number is high enough I suppose it might have been either a 1972 or 1973 model year bike. It appears to be largely original - still has the Weinmann brakes and levers, the TA crank, the front Huret Jubilee derailleur (sorry I didn't get a close up of that), the GB stem, and the pedals, I think.

Non-original components include the saddle (not surprisingly), the clincher wheels (rear is Rigida with an Atom hub, front is a Wolber with a hub that might be Cycle Pro, but it's hard to read), the Suntour barcons, and the Shimano 600EX Arabesque rear derailer (not French) with long cage. I didn't even know they were available with such a long cage, but that, combined with the barcons and the freewheel, suggests to me that the original owner may have fallen into the category of "touring fan who wants something more than the average 10-Speed provides" as the catalog says.

Pretty darn rusty... I was told this bike lived by the beach for quite a while. Sad, really. That said, I kinda like the way the decals have started to fade to shadows of themselves. So rather than a full repaint, I think I'll do my best to de-rust it then possibly touch up any bare metal with black if I can get it to blend in well enough and just wax or clear coat the whole frame. Maybe I'll re-line the lugs in silver.

On the bright side the lug work actually appears to be pretty decent... by 1970s Raleigh standards. ;) Haven't found any gaps in the brazing.

Weighs in around 23 3/4 lbs, which is right in the 23-24 lbs range listed in the 1973 catalog (same as the Professional actually).

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_1.jpg

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_2.jpg
Oh, why did people put clamps around their Reynolds decals?

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_3.jpg
TA... yup, need to buy another manufacturer specific crank puller. Hooray. :P (Or "Huret" ...?)

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_4.jpg
Interested to look closer at how they rigged this, since I thought the drop-outs were supposed to be Huret specific.

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_5.jpg

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_6.jpg
Enjoying the rust?

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_7.jpg
Are those Nervex lugs? I thought Competitions typically had Capella lugs at this time (although, yeah, I know that there are lots of examples of Raleighs with non-standard lugs, etc.).

And a few more for good measure...

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_8.jpg

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...ion_mkii_9.jpg

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...on_mkii_10.jpg
Another barely visible decal...

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...on_mkii_11.jpg

http://www.routinezero.com/bikes/ral...on_mkii_12.jpg
This is interesting to me - the Competition Mk II was supposed to come in half inch sizing, e.g., 22 1/2", 23 1/2", etc., and I believe they measured center of bracket to top of the top tube. My measurement is about 23 2/16 or 3/16" c-t-t - even if my technique isn't perfect, it's nowhere near 22 1/2" or 23 1/2" c-t-t. Not complaining, just "huh?"

All comments positive and negative are encouraged. :)

Nice bike! Nice long wheelbase for a comfortable ride. It would look nice with fenders, IMO. I might repaint it- black is easy, but decals? Don't know.

It was only the '73 that had Capella lugs (which is true for other Raleigh models with those lugs--all built in '73; guess they had a lot of those lug sets around that year).

That TA Professional 3-bolt crankset is a nice one -- I originally built up the UO-8 with one, before swapping in the 165mm Suginos to obtain at least some toe-to-tire clearance. If you need to borrow my TA puller, let me know.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to getting a chance to really try it out. And yes, I think fenders might be a good addition. And since the drop outs have the mounts, it'd be a shame not to use them.

Aha! That explains it - thanks! So are these Nervex Professionals then?

Yeah, I like the look of it - do you know if it's possible to still find replacement chainrings for it? And thank you for the offer! I'm sure I'll still need my own puller at some point, but that's quite cool of you to offer to let me borrow yours. I'll PM you.