Hi,
I too am a new member. I just sent these details to Eric Elman and Paul Raley - but thought I would introduce myself to others through my bike.
I have owned a TI-Raleigh (yes, a real one from Gerald O'Donovan's shop, in Ilkeston) for the past twenty years. At the time I got it I didn't realize what I had. It is one of those stories that only happens in a blue moon. A family friend who was a senior VP of TI at the time was able to get the frame made for me in the Team Raleigh Workshop - it cost me fifty pounds!!!!! For some reason I asked for a 531 Special Lightweight frame as opposed to the 753 frame which Ilkeston was known for. I don't know why, but I guess that I didn't want a frame that was too stiff so I opted for the SL. In that sense my frame is extremely unusual - I don't think they made many SL's - mine is serial no. 4! It is what may be described as a TT frame - short wheel-base and high BB. Campy dropouts and beautiful cut-out lugs. It came unpainted just primed (and without the head-badge) - I had it painted, not in the TI colours but am now thinking that I might have it repainted in those colours. The decals I have are well worn and cannot be salvaged. I am also trying to get an all Campy set on it - over the years it has had a hybrid of parts - mostly Campy but a 1977 Shimano Dura Ace crankset (the one with the black chainwheels and detailing)- Maillard freewheel, Weinmann brakes, etc..
I have not spent much time on it in some years - but I recently ran into a Dutch guy who drooled over the bike - he knew everything there is to know about the TI and Panasonic teams! That inspired me. It is now great to get on this list-serve with other enthusiasts who - I presume still prefer the nice lines of a steel, hand-made, lugged frame as opposed to those carbon and aluminum "funny-bikes" out there. I am also looking forward to meeting other Raleigh enthusiasts in cyberspace.
I sent out an earlier reply to info on Reynold's stickers - I will make my request a bit more apparent. If anyone knows where I might find a 531SL decal as well as a yellow and blue Campy sticker of the same vintage please let me know. I am also looking for a Raleigh head-badge!
Thanks,
Paul B. Williams,
Teaching Fellow & Ph.D. Candidate,
Dept. of Geography,
Queen's University,
Kingston, Ont., K7L 3N6
Ph. 613-533-6000, ext. 75721.
E-mail: 8pbw@qsilver.queensu.ca