I am now a proud owner of _two_ raleigh internationals, 23.5 frames. One is probably a 1974, and one is probably a 1975 or 1976. They changed the brazing or labeling almost every year on these frames and i pinpointed the year from :
http://bulgier.net/
One is an almost 100% original bike, rust everywhere, champagne, brooks pro seat, and bad white plastic handlebar tape just like my old 1972 raleigh. one rim is not original and i'm guessing its the fiamme red label on the rear. The front is a mavic but all the color is gone from the label. The second bike is a bare frame (copper), and i am using a parts bike (alan competition) for it. Q's:
(b) My biggest trouble is finding an original GB stem, 100 mm, and raleigh 38cm handlebars for the bare frame. ideally, the stem would have the recessed alan bolt for tightening the GB stem in the head tube. As far as I know, raleigh internationals are the only source of these stems in the history of bikes. My approach so far has been do "decapitate" a raleigh grand prix, when one appears on ebay in the right size. will take bars, stem, and brakes and hoods and put something else on the grand prix and sell it. however, the grand prix had a traditional bolt at the top of its stem - the lower grade stem. any suggestions ?? My original bike has a lousy original raleigh GB stem, drilled almost 3mm off center - should i ditch the GB stem idea?
(b) To what extent should i try to sand / re-anodize / re-chrome parts ?? I wouldn't mind doing this, making it a 12-month project. if so, what is the best book or web site to learn about how to refinish parts?
(c) does someone know the model name of the original rims ?? Does someone have a recommendation for modern clinchers for these bikes to approximate the original silver mavic tubular rims?? I was thinking about mavic open pro's, but they look aero compared to 1970's bikes.
(d) i have a web page on the exact stuff thats on this bike (stuff not in the raleigh catalogues) - email me if you want a copy of the page.
my goal here is to build 2 bikes that look "new" from 3 feet away, and make them fun to ride. i may have bottle braze-ons added when i have the frames refinished. Restoring them to precise original condition is not essential.
- Don Gillies