This weekend I bought a 1968 Raleigh Pro that already has its own thread. I got it from the original owner, who bought it from Spence Wolf at Saratoga Bike Shop. It requires a lot of cleanup, but is in original condition. This should keep me busy for a while.

Some may remember another Raleigh Pro I wrote about a year and a half ago. It's mostly done now. I am using this opportunity to show "as found" pictures of the '68 and work in progress pictures of the '70. These are at different ends of my size range, I would have been happier with something in the middle. Note that I replaced the bars and stem on the '70 for a better fit.







Here is an as-found picture of the '70:



Cleaned up and ready to ride:





I still need to rebuild the original wheels, as the spokes were too rusty to be saved. I can't decide between rebuilding the original Weinmann tubulars or switching to MA-2 clinchers.

The paint is in remarkable condition, but the headbadge is faded and the chrome is mostly gone, looks like nickel now.

Awesome, I am crazy about my vintage Raleighs.. I would love to find me a late 70s or 80s pro, but the prices are to the moon on these bikes..

The low fast back cluster seems out of place on that bike. It practically has s-bend stays

great story and beautiful bikes. just one thing, the tire savers are pointing the wrong direction except for the the rear one on the '68

Both are iconic Raleighs of the period. Good score! If the fastback Pro has the unlabeled Campagnolo calipers you REALLY scored!

Thanks. I had no idea, so left them as found on the '70. I see that they are reversed on the '68, which seems to make more sense. I am guessing they are both correct on '68. I'll flip the other ones.

Fabulous score! I'm in love with the white one. (I think I'd remove the rear rack though and touch up the stays!)

Definitely. I cringe every time I see one of those Esge racks, as they invariably scratch the paint. It's unusual that the '68 did not come with fender holes on the dropouts, as later years added them. There are also lots of grease stains and numerous chips that need to be touched up. The red stripe on the seat tube is almost all gone, victim of a water bottle cage. All the components seem to be in good shape, though the grease has turned to varnish.