Hey folks,
I am still doing some background work on my 1981 531SL TI-Raleigh. I have a couple of general queries for the list. What I have gathered from several of you is that this frame appears to be very unusual. It may in fact be a one-off. Although I don't know. First, is anyone else out there familiar with Raleigh building anything in 531SL? (as I mentioned a week or so ago - this frame was built for me at Ilkeston as a special order - through a family friend at TI). How many frames from any builders were made with SL? I notice from the CR web-site - Reynolds home page - that 531Sl was a short-lived venture.
Second, what I had been led to believe by an English frame builder I know here was that the stamped 4 on the BB was the serial number - I am not sure now - I have a feeling that there were no others produced. I wonder whether it was a trial piece? It doesn't have any other markings - not the standard type of serial numbers used by Raleigh. Can anyone give me an explanation on that #4? Excuse my ignorance - if this is a standard issue - I am new to this game.
Also, finally is anyone out there interested in a Dura-Ace crankset c.1977 - it is the one with the black chainrings and black detailing in the fluted arms - it looks similar to the NR cranksets of the same time. I have just picked up an SR crankset and have to part with this Shimano (I know shame on me - however, it has been a faithful servant for 25 years now and is still a very stylish set) to cover my mounting restoration costs. I don't know what these things are worth now I haven't seen any on E-bay. E-mail me off the list to discuss this further.
Paul "my wife says if I spend anymore money on that @#*%$ bike ...." Williams, Kingston, Ontario