Hello David -
Sorry this reply is kind of late, but I'm just catching up after many weeks working out of the country. Raleigh did produce a Reynolds-framed Japanese-built bike in (I believe) '80 and/or '81. It was called the Superbe and came with a full Suntour Superbe group. My understanding is that one year the frame was built with Reynolds 531 and the other year it was built with Tange Champion No.1 tubes. I have one of the Tange frames. I've never seen one of the Reynolds frames, but while I was digging up info on the one I have, I recall learning that the first one was Reynolds and the later one was Tange. Mine, as I believe all were, is finished in transparent-gold-over-chrome for a gold plated look. I have pix if you (or anyone else) are interested. The Superbe is kind of cool in that it is pretty much entirely high-end Japanese, at least for the period, and the workmanship is pretty good. It's really only speculation on my part, but I believe that the Superbe model is the only 531 frame Raleigh ever made in Japan.
Ciao -
Wayne Bingham Falls Church VA
>>>>>>Not sure if this is time frame. What years did they make 531
Raleigh's in
Japan? I was told the bike was
purchased in the 80's don't know if that's late or early.
David Stow Jacksonville Beach, Fl<<<<<<