Just for the record, this bike was serial number SB7814 according to the seller with 54.5 stamped next the serial number.
I didn't bid for it in the end but thanks for your input. It sold for 62GBP.
Joss
On Thu, Jun 03, 2004 at 08:33:32PM +0100, Joss Winn wrote:
> Thanks, Steve.
>
> I had emailed the seller and he said it has a sticker with Reynolds
> 753 Renovated on the seat tube. He appears to know nothing about
> the bike or any renovation other than that it 'looks like new'.
>
> I'll contact the seller again for more info.
>
> Joss
> Berkhamsted, UK
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 03, 2004 at 02:01:57PM -0500, Steve Kurt wrote:
> > From: Joss Winn <joss@josswinn.org>
> >
> >
> > "I am going to build up a singlespeed road bike from odd parts and
> > have my eye on a frame on eBay (#3680526193). Can anyone comment on
> > this frame and in particular, the sticker which reads 'Reynold 753
> > Renovated'. The seller knows nothing about the frame but says the
> > sticker on the seat tube has that on it.
> >
> > Also, ever heard of a frame builder called 'GOD or G.O. Donovan'?"
> >
> >
> > Hi Joss,
> > The auction doesn't mention a sticker containing the word "renovated".
> > Instead, it says the frame was renovated. I wonder how extensive the
> > renovation was??
> > I think you'd want some detailed pictures in order to determine the
> > frame's condition. When purchasing a frame via the web, I usually like to
> > get detailed shots of any damage to paint or decals. It's nice to get a
> > shot that might show if forks or the downtube are bent or bowed.
> > G.O. Donovan is probably refering to Gerald O'Donovan. He was the head
> > of Raleigh's Ilkston facility, where they built the Team bikes. These
> > bikes often had a serial number stamped on the bottom bracket shell. The
> > number had the format of "SBxxxx", where four digits followed the letters
> > SB. Folklore says that SB stands for Special Build. These were pretty
> > darned nice frames.
> > If this frame was built as one of the Team frames, it seems odd for it
> > to have mudguard eyelets front and rear. Might have been part of the
> > renovation, maybe?
> > Ask the seller for more pics and any info available. Nicks, dings,
> > markings, dimensions, etc. It's all handy to have.
> >
> > Steve Kurt
> > Peoria, IL
> > (where I have a nice Raleigh Team bike in my hallway)
>
> --