Steve,
I have a Raleigh Competion with a frame by Carlton from 1972-73. This bike is lilac in color with gun metal colored head tube and seat tube accents. Mine has Zeus dropouts as well. Carlton decals are placed on the middle of the seat tube as well as a smaller one close to the bottom bracket. I still have some of the original components. Here is what I think is correct for the Raleigh Competion by Carlton:
531 tubing Plain Bocama lugs I think this one has the Capella fork crown (looks like a bird) GB bars and stem Brooks Professional saddle (this may have been an upgrade) Typical Simplex delrin derailleurs and clamp-on levers Weinmann 999 Center pulls with white Carlton labeled hoods on the levers Nervar Crank Maillard freewheel Seat post, Bottom bracket and headset (unsure of original) Hubs - Normandy high flange Rims - Probably Weinmann 27" (I think this one had originally sported tubulars) Pedals - Leotard (45 I think)
Some have pointed out that the RALEIGH competition was a Huret equipped unit vs the Raleigh Competition by Carlton which was more like the Gran Sport from Raleigh. All the same family but different, redundant and above all, confusing.
Good luck,
Carl Gonzalez
Bay Village, OH
>Reply-To: "Questor" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
>From: "Questor" <questor@cinci.rr.com>
>To: "classicrendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2002 19:49:04 -0500
>Subject: [CR]Parts ID needed for Raleigh Competition
>Hello,
>I have acquired a early model Raleigh Competition frame (pre-1972) where =
>I am trying to research its original parts.
>The frame is white with robin's egg blue on the head tube and two =
>stripes on the seat tube. The "Competition" transfer is clearly visible =
>in smaller gold lettering on the top tube and the earlier Raleigh script =
>is on the downtube. Both front and rear dropouts are clearly marked =
>Zeus. The cable stop bridge on the seat stays are for Weinmann 600 =
>brakes. =20
>This frame is in its original condition with original decals and has =
>never been repainted. My search at Retro Raleighs does not even mention =
>Raleigh Competitons with Zeus dropouts or these frame colors. I have, =
>however seen this paint scheme used on early Raleigh Gran Prix frames.
>Does anyone recall what components went on an early model Competiton =
>like this?
>Thanks in advance, Steve Neago
>"A balmy high of 50 degrees in Cincinnati, OH"