> Message: 5
> From: NortonMarg@aol.com
> Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 14:45:47 EDT
> To: DSandelands@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Brakes for non-recessed fork? Hold on...
>
> "I have to ask, what vintage and model Raleigh? "
I would like to know the answer to this question myself. Its a full Reynolds 531 double butted throughout frameset with Suntour dropouts, and long point lugs with "windows" in each lug. Half chrome fork and seatstays/chainstays. All decals are intact except the country of origin decal which someone removed. You can just make out the outline of where this used to be. Also, there is no model desigination on the bike. If there was a model decal, then whoever removed it did a very good job because there is no trace. One set of water bottle braze-ons on the downtube. No other braze-ons. Rear dropouts are 126 mm. The key to the question would appear to be the steerer tube which is stamped: line 1) Tange; line 2) Made in Japan; and line 3) Reynolds 531 butted. So my guess is the frame is nice Reynolds frame made in Japan for Raleigh USA and probably dates from right around 1980-82. A nice frame, but not particularly collectable. So no harm in drilling the front fork. Would be interested in knowing what model and how it was originally equipped.
Just out of curiosity, how retro is this list? To me a nice road bike is a lugged steel frame with downtube shifters and toeclips. However, I like indexed shifting and will equip this frame with 7 speed SIS. My main (only) ride is a 1986 Peugeot, lugged Vitus 980 double butted frameset, running 7 speed SIS, and Specialized racing pedals (track style toe clip pedals). Bought it new in '86. These days it seems retro. In my mind, classic road bike production ended when Shimano introduced STI and 8 speed clusters. STI looked dorky and 8 speed clusters increased rear dropouts to 130 mm which just looked to asymetrical for me. Off course bike OEMs also went crazy with screwed and glued aluminum frames, TIG welding, carbon fiber, etc. Not these are bad frames, but they don't look like classic road bikes.
My .02.
Dave