I have a very similar Raleigh, but mine was repainted when I got it,
which was probably around 1980 or so. When you get the frame you can check
the serial #
with the site http://retroraleighs.com/
I don't think mine is 531, but the serial # begins with a v so it could be mid 60's The parts would make lots more sense in that case. It has Huret Allvit shifters amd derailleurs, and pretty low end wheels. The parts could also be not original, Since it was poorly repainted, and came as a frame and bag of parts at a yard sale. It was fun bringing that home on a bike.
You definetly want to go to the Cirque! I went last year, and had a great time. I missed the ride that was about the right length for me, due to some mechanical problems. The bike I had with me to ride was finished about 11pm the night I packed to get on the road. Needless to say, there were some things that weren't quite right, and the last one came up just as the ride started. Don't expect a black cinelli 1r stem to be tight if you tightened it indoors, then let it stay in the sun for an hour or two! So bring a bike you ride often enough to be comfortable with, almost anything oldish will be fine. There's plenty to do around town if your girlfriend has had enough bikes for awhile. (My wife went book shopping)
Steve Birmingham Lowell, Ma
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 23:37:09 EST From: Marcgarcia80@aol.com To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Looking for some opinions Message-ID: <12c.3da4438b.2d9118f5@aol.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Precedence: list Message: 5
I need some opinions on a few things from the wise members of the list on a few things. First, I just purchased these two items on ebay, the first being a raleigh frame and the second a campy gran sport rear derailleur:
http://ebay.com/
Item:3667003195
http://ebay.com/
Item: 3666383088
I'm just wondering if anyone could offer any insight as to the age of both of these items. The derialleur looks like it could be from the fifties, I compared it to pictures on CR and they seem to match. I'm just surprised at the price that I paid since a similar derailleur sold for 3 or 4 times as much a few days before. But ebay is fickle right? Maybe people were turned off because the item is being shipped from england?
The second is a raleigh frame. The seller does not know the model, he said its a clubman style? He was not sure of the age either, he also said its made with reynolds tubing, do you guys think this is true? I've got a set of moustache handle bars waiting for it and who knows maybe it will be a fixed gear or maybe the gran sport will find its way onto it.
Finally, my girlfriend and I are thinking about attending Cirque. I was looking over the info website and it looks great and I think that we would both have a great time. I'm the collector obviously but she enjoys bicycles as well, but looking over the site it is a little intimidating as I am fairly new to the hobby and don't have nearly the caliber of bicycles that are pictured. Also,
my girlfriend is a little worried about the rides, she's afraid that she might be a little slow. That's really not a concern for me but I don't want her to
wind up sitting in the hotel room for the weekend. I guess my question is, Is it ok if I show up on something else than a rene herse? also, what are the paces of some of the rides? is there one that a casual rider like my girlfriend would be comfortable with? I've had my eye on a gitane tandem at a local shop, maybe I should pick it up and haul it to cirque. Anyone's honest opinions are gladly welcomed.
marc garcia
chicago IL