I'm a newbie to the CR mailing list. However, from reading some of the postings many names are familiar from my E-Bay purchases. I've been collecting English bikes for a few years now, mostly Raleighs. Just for background, I have a near-mint 1979 753 Team Pro equipped with period correct Super Record, a never-ridden 1974 International that I got with an almost never-ridden 1975 Competition, two 1971 Internationals in nice shape, a 1975 531 Team Pro in need of a restoration because it was stored on a porch by the beach in Florida, a 1972 Pro with the fancy lugs and fender eyelets, a beater 1979 Comp GS I rode in college and a mid-1960's Mercian outfitted with a 1971 Nuovo Record group. I have a few questions that you guys can probably help me with. 1) The 1975 Team Pro and the 1973 Pro are in need of a re-paint. I've never gone through this process before so I've done a little research which can leave one a little bewildered. Bear in mind that I want a high quality, catalog-correct job. While I don't want to re-finance my house, quality and authenticity are vastly more important to me than price. Plus, having read the recent postings on the financial woes of highly-skilled artisans, it's just not in my nature to expect them to work for 20 bucks an hour. I've check out people like Brian Bayless, Joe Bell and CycleArt. I've also read about outfits in England. BTY, is it really true that chroming in the U.S. is not the same as chroming in England? I would obviously feel more comfortable with someone with experience in working with Raleighs, ie colors and decals. Any advice anyone may give would be truly appreciated.
2) My 1975 Team Pro had the rims changed out at some time past. Does anyone have information on what rims would be correct for this bike? The hubs seem to be original, 32 hole Campy Record with the correct dating on the washers. I have a Pair of Fiamme Ergals. Would the Ergals be period-correct? And what are the beginning and ending production dates for Ergals.
3) Has anyone seen these on E-Bay? 41 teeth, 144 BCD Campy chainrings. I've always thought that 42 teeth was the smallest available for the Record 144 BCD cranks. Now that I'm long in tooth and weak in the legs 41 teeth look better and better.
check them out: E-Bay item # 7126729451 or one that sold last week E-Bay item # 7128701176 or how about a 1972 "Super Record Rear Derailleur" E-Bay item # 7128520772
George Allen
Lexington, KY