Old Raleigh Racing bikes (1980's) spec's.

[bunnerscj]

Hi all,
Looking to purchase a 80's raleigh racer but Im not sure of how the ranges differ in spec build. Seen loads different models from Records, Sprints, Pursuits, Elan, Team blah blah.

Anyone point me towards some idea of judging the spec of a bike and weather it would have been a high spec bike or a lower entry model.

Thank you.

 

[TGR]

Hi,

Some catalogues are available on this site which should help. Here -


http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/M ... r+Archive/

Richard

 

[MrW]

Not sure if these are listed in the archive here:

1982 - http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh82/

1983 - http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh83/

1984 - http://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh84/

I also have 'parts' of 1985/1986/1987, PM me for info

General rule of thumb:

Frame number starts with an 'N' - Run of the mill (some would call gas pipe) frame set and bike

Frame number starts with a 'W' - Built at the Lightweight division, so better drop outs and tubing used

Frame number starts with 'SB" - Custom built, like the holy grail of Raleigh's I suppose (if that's what floats your boat anyway)

I don't confess to know everything about Raleigh's, but do have a fairly broad knowledge, and will help where I can, but there are other's on here that have worked for Raleigh, both the manufacturer, and at the dealers

 

[BobToo]

In general dual brake levers, Huret/Sachs-Huret/Raleigh Eco rear derailleurs, chrome steel seatpost and chrome wheels point to a low end bike- although it can be hard to tell the difference between chrome and polished alloy wheels in a small photo. It's probably best to avoid these, they can be upgraded a bit but that takes you into a budget that would have got you a better bike in the first place. Some dreamers ask (and possibly get!) over £100 for these, but I reckon £50 is the limit.

It's also worth thinking about what you want to do on your bike and learning the differences between racing and touring bikes. If you browse through a lot of eBay listings etc. you'll start to spot the details that point to the quality and intended use of the bike.

 

[bunnerscj]

Re:

Thanks guys....ebay is confusing as there are loads,some sheds and some crackers.

 

[MrW]

Indeed!

Then there are some like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vintage-ralei ... 258e323380

A 'W' frame only lightweight built Team Corsa, but with forks and parts from the lesser Team Cadet model

Would make an ideal project in my opinion

 

[bunnerscj]

Re:

What about the 'Elan' model.....few on the bay, any good ?

 

[MrW]

Technically, a run of mill model, mass produced, but it does have Reynolds 501 tubing

No a bad start, although the 3 I've seen on eBay are a little expensive

A simple 'Raleigh Race' search on eBay normally produces the best results, and may open your eyes to an awful lot more that is out there

 

[bunnerscj]

Re:

Im after a mid / high spec Raleigh from the 80's. I like the Team Corsa models ... Want something with decent paint as I dont really wanna respray/decal.
Need a 60cm 23.5" frame.

 

[MrW]

I'd have to say that of all the Raleigh models, the Team Corsa is the one that appears less frequently...

There are a number of Team Cadet's on eBay at the moment, and a few of them have Reynolds 501 frames, which wasn't the norm:

This is a 23.5" frame:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/retro-vintage ... 27e3d5e79b

This is a 21" frame:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171324364600? ... EBIDX%3AIT

I still think the pick of the crop is this: (given its main frame)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161299444608? ... EBIDX%3AIT

The paintwork does look a little ratty, but mine looked like that when I bought it from eBay in 2008...

This is it now, and I've done nothing other than a full strip down, and a deep deep clean:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=267023&hilit=1986+Raleigh+Team+Corsa