RALEIGH SBDU 753 DYNAFLITE..'Lugged Aero Special'..

[vcballbat]

Re:

A few more pictures showing the subtle transition from oval to round...

 

[LongLegsRetro]

Very similar to this one;

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=363939

 

[vcballbat]

Re:

This is similar to the Dynaflite as shown in 81 & 82 catalogue and is of lugless construction of which I have seen a few. My frame is beautifully constructed using lugs with aero tubing and does not appear in any catalogue, it is one of the rarest Raleigh SBDU frames ever made. Eddy Merckx, Colnago and other builders were experimenting with similar lugged aero frames along with my favourite....
THE HUFFY AEROWIND

https://youtu.be/jMgYNm4Q6dM

 

[Midlife]

I guess you are not going to post a pic of the bottom bracket with frame numbers?

 

[vcballbat]

Back in my day some aero tubing was DIY. Never knew 753 came as aero? Looks smart though just out of curiosity what's the frame number?

Check out this Badboy
https://youtu.be/RylyObcTM_g

 

[vcballbat]

This Raleigh 753 appears in the USA 1983 catalogue offered as a custom build limited edition of one hundred. It doesn't have aero tubing but certainly has a very interesting mix of top notch components. I don't think the frame is SBDU built, probably farmed out to an American builder. I really like the aero Ofmega Mistral chainset and Modolo Kronos brakes, would be great to upgrade my Mavic cranks and Campy brakes. It's a fine looking machine but let down by poor front skewerage, bar tilt, saddle hight and a black background against a black frame and components. :facepalm:

 

[vcballbat]

A few more pictures of the components up close...

 

[scooter]

Re:

Hell yeah !
Bikeman4u sure loves the aero dude ..

 

[vcballbat]

Re:

I mentioned earlier that the first SBDU aero frame or prototype had a fully oval seat tube and modified seat post, this is highlighted by the Ti decal placed on the side of the seat tube at the top. In this brilliant old documentary film from 1980 we get an insight into Raleigh's head of product design and development Alan Oakley and his input setting up and running the SBDU with Gerald O' Donovan. Also in the film Alan speaks of his greatest design... the Raleigh Chopper and his commitment to Raleigh....grab your snacks and drinks and enjoy the film.
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/wat ... 980-online

 

[scooter]

Re:

What a great little insight into the old world of Raleigh bikes and design.

I’m just guessing but if yours is or could be some sort of proto type how do you think it would of made its way into circulation ?

This obviously would of gone through stringent testing but I’m amazed there hasn’t been any others out there that have surfaced ?

Is there anyone who used to work at the raleigh factory or SBDU that you can ask ?