'84-'85 Raleigh "Racing USA" um... Fetish
03-08-19, 04:55 PM
#51
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It looks like they took the GP in the opening scenes, painted it green but left some red and the badge. Maybe to satisfy some contract agreement to show Raleighs but make it different enough not to associate Raleigh’s model with the “ bad guy”.
Just a theory...
Just a theory...
03-08-19, 05:38 PM
#52
Full Member
One example of each model, in each available color, in a size you can ride seems reasonable to me.
If it will help to prevent marital discord, you _might_ suggest that some collectors have been known to accumulate one of each size example of each model, in each available color, for every year in which the bicycle was produced.
Your moderation should then be noted and appreciated.
:-)
If it will help to prevent marital discord, you _might_ suggest that some collectors have been known to accumulate one of each size example of each model, in each available color, for every year in which the bicycle was produced.
Your moderation should then be noted and appreciated.
:-)
03-08-19, 05:58 PM
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Except for the giveaway head badge....
03-08-19, 05:59 PM
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Just some useless trivia - the MTB stunt bike's front brake appears to be a Suntour XC, which came out in late '84:
Are those the usual Aero Gran Compes on his "normal" rig, or Shimano 600 AX calipers?
-Kurt
Are those the usual Aero Gran Compes on his "normal" rig, or Shimano 600 AX calipers?
-Kurt
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03-08-19, 06:37 PM
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I went screenshot grabbing. It appears as if 3speedslow has it nailed:
The component selection is definitely GP. The ARX rear derailer seals the deal on it.
It also looks as if they made some effort to remove "RALEIGH" off the fork blades, but some ghosting of it remains in a few shots:
Now, the question is, did they strip the paint down to the chrome and paint green over it, or is that just a nice metallic green? The other question is "who's going to be the first to make a replica of this from a beat Grand Prix?"
-Kurt
The component selection is definitely GP. The ARX rear derailer seals the deal on it.
It also looks as if they made some effort to remove "RALEIGH" off the fork blades, but some ghosting of it remains in a few shots:
Now, the question is, did they strip the paint down to the chrome and paint green over it, or is that just a nice metallic green? The other question is "who's going to be the first to make a replica of this from a beat Grand Prix?"
-Kurt
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03-08-19, 06:45 PM
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I have the Grand Prix model... a very big draw of purchasing it was because it was the bicycle used by Nelson Vails (aka 'The Cheetah') in the first scenes of this movie. Someday, I'll bring that model up to replica status, which will be fairly easy.
03-08-19, 08:08 PM
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@cehowardGS's "pink/green" one was similar to this model, and I think it was a 531 Competition?
Take the model below, beat it up so bad you can't read any of the decals, so dirty the green is almost olive, the lavender so dirty it looks pink. Add a duct-taped saddle, crusty rusty caliper bolts, spoke nipples that were done ever being turned, and with dirty pink wrap that looked like a biohazard. The only clean part of that entire bike was the grease in the bearings and the cables.
And someone still stole it.
And Coleman said "Don't be mad, Robbie, they must have needed it more than I did."
Take the model below, beat it up so bad you can't read any of the decals, so dirty the green is almost olive, the lavender so dirty it looks pink. Add a duct-taped saddle, crusty rusty caliper bolts, spoke nipples that were done ever being turned, and with dirty pink wrap that looked like a biohazard. The only clean part of that entire bike was the grease in the bearings and the cables.
And someone still stole it.
And Coleman said "Don't be mad, Robbie, they must have needed it more than I did."
03-08-19, 08:31 PM
#58
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@cehowardGS's "pink/green" one was similar to this model, and I think it was a 531 Competition?
TBH, I think the copywriters were working a bit TOO hard on color names and not enough on the colors. I did enjoy the Grand Prix just a bit more than I should have though; far more than the Competition or either of the Super Courses. I'm having slight seller's remorse after all these years now... ( @QuickDraw, do you still have the '86 GP? )
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03-08-19, 09:26 PM
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One hitch in this theory... GP is the only Racing USA Unit with rack mounts on the drop-outs... Missing from Mr. Green? ("Why do I have to be Mr. Green, I want to be Mr. Black...") 
03-08-19, 09:34 PM
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BTW, As I am a hopeless RACING USA Dork, I admin a Facebook Page dedicated to my illness. Currently, it's me, my wife (I had to invite someone to get it started) and one other poor guy that likes my occasional crap... If any of y'all are on FB and want to join the crazy party, join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1391582434276325/ . Wooo!!!!
03-09-19, 07:23 AM
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There's another film quote for you...
I'm pretty sure the rack eyelets are there; it's the poor 480p transfer that obscures them. Look close:
I don't t
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03-09-19, 10:01 AM
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03-09-19, 08:00 PM
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03-10-19, 12:35 AM
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03-10-19, 04:18 PM
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Ok, so I’m curious, I have an ‘87 model English built 531c Raleigh “Raleigh USA”. Is this a separate model line from the “Racing USA” frames, being mine is a late 87 frame is it what the Racing USAs turned into?
my understanding is these frames were shipped to the US as frames only and LBS built them up as needed. Mine originally was all 600 tricolor and I’ve swapped the Deore to make the hills around SW Colorado a little easier. Anyway I’m curious were it fits in among the others (Racing, GS, Prestige, etc)
thanks
my understanding is these frames were shipped to the US as frames only and LBS built them up as needed. Mine originally was all 600 tricolor and I’ve swapped the Deore to make the hills around SW Colorado a little easier. Anyway I’m curious were it fits in among the others (Racing, GS, Prestige, etc)
thanks
03-10-19, 07:00 PM
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Apples and Oranges, but very cool!
03-10-19, 08:10 PM
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03-11-19, 01:34 AM
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He is "dual interest" for me, as I am also a Levi's Raleigh Team enthusiast (I run the FB fan page for that as well). Dude's legs were like tree trunks...
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03-11-19, 05:46 AM
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My wife raced one of the red/black Carleton made Raleigh Racing USA frames in the 80s. I can't remember whatever happened to it.
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03-11-19, 08:17 AM
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OK, so then mine is a higher volume "copy" of the earlier "Racing" frames and marketed as "Raleigh USA" and that's why my head tube is red vs black, and the caps on my seat stays are flat vs the pantographed ones.
Just curious being I've never found it listed in any of the 87 catalogs
Thanks
Just curious being I've never found it listed in any of the 87 catalogs
Thanks
03-11-19, 08:22 AM
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OK, so then mine is a higher volume "copy" of the earlier "Racing" frames and marketed as "Raleigh USA" and that's why my head tube is red vs black, and the caps on my seat stays are flat vs the pantographed ones.
Just curious being I've never found it listed in any of the 87 catalogs
Thanks
Just curious being I've never found it listed in any of the 87 catalogs
Thanks
Last edited by La Brea Bike; 03-11-19 at 08:29 AM.
03-11-19, 09:47 AM
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AFAIK, the W=Worksop England,
the P is either the 16th fortnight of the year (July), or P/Q/R = November. I'm not sure which rule applies to the 1987 models
the 7 is the year
the 001156 = the number of units
Last edited by shoff535; 03-11-19 at 02:01 PM.