Hello all, Thanks for the suggestions on finding the decals for my bikes. Unfortunately, I had been to all those sites previously and there really is nothing to help with the old Raleigh. I am aware that it not some primo racing bike. It is just a run of the mill bike, but is it? Compared to a run of the mill bike these days It is wonderful. It has GREAT brakes. It has nice lugs and SEXY wraparound seatstay. Itis strong enough to take anything and still last a lifetime.
Please help me find out when it was made. Here are the things I know abt the bike.The Raleigh is not clear what it really is other than "Grand Touring". I know it is not a COLNAGO or even a REAL lightweight, but there is something special about how it rides and especially how it brakes. You know those bikes that are being discussed as "wish I had kept that one".... Well, this is one of those for me. Twenty years after I first got it I had no money to buy a new bike and had to ride for my health so I painted it. That was just in 1996 when I was recovering from Pneumonia the year before. I COULD have made a drawing of the decals that were on it at the time but a photo would not have worked.
I got the bike in the early 1970s. I had broken two frames in succession by riding too hard. My friend at the LBS said there is a bike in the dumpster you will not hurt and I can fix it up for you for $100. I still love that bike .As I try to understand why it was in the dumpster at the bike shop in the first place, I think the HUGE tire clearance is significant. The rims must have been 28 inch not 27. With 27 inch wheels the brakes are nearly at the bottom and with 700C they really are extended all the way, and this is with long reach brakes--the GBs. The shop just must have said we can not get 28" replacements so the customer said throw it away. Anyway the Raleigh site is not helpful, I have been there before. The English decal guy does not have "Grand Touring" decals.
The fork has a bolt to fasten a lamp on the right side.
Don't know much abt this bike. Want to know more. Can you help?
Dan Borman