Can anybody help me identify this Raleigh please?

Recent cheapo internet purchase.

25" frame (531c frame, 531 forks)
S/N WE4006179
Some Campagnolo furniture remaining
Colour white, with two Rayleigh decals (1) 80s looking brand name and (2) colourful stylized Rayleigh heron on top bar

From Sheldon (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleig ... .html#kent) this seems to be Worksop/Nottingham in April either 1974 or 1984.

I'm assuming 1984 because of the garish 80s decals - but I have searched the catalogues on-line and I can find no reference to the bike at all. Nothing looks remotely like it.

Does anybody have any ideas? Ideally I would like it's model and original specification - but that's just me being greedy.

It's certainly light enough to be 531, I even wondered if it was a DIY special. But I would say the paintwork/decals are original if I had to guess.

Thank you in advance, John.

Some pictures.. (hope they work)

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=24dewe1 ... 1bF2U32aCI

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=t7mpsi&s=9#.V1bF-E32aCI

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=bgr342&s=9#.V1bGQ032aCI

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=5lqbrs&s=9#.V1bGcE32aCI

Well looking at the decals and that front mech if it's original i'd say mid 70's so 74 would seem right for the year except their doesn't seem to be any pump mount fittings on the top tube and the down looks as though their has been a frame fitting pump mounted in the frame for along time so your 1st assumption seems to tie in for it being an early 80's model plus if you search the net you'll probably find information and pics regarding the headtube badge design as it does tend to change from decade to decade ..

I doubt the decals are original to the frame..

I've come across them once before, and believe these decals were available for aftermarket fit only..

It's more likely to be a 1984 frame based on what Muddy paw has said, some pics of the lugs may help identify it

MrW":24lou4ie said:

I doubt the decals are original to the frame..

I've come across them once before, and believe these decals were available for aftermarket fit only..

It's more likely to be a 1984 frame based on what Muddy paw has said, some pics of the lugs may help identify it

Click to expand...

Well thank you MrW for the info regarding the decals as i thought i was just looking in all the wrong places trying to find another Raliegh with that decal setup .

Here is a nice little link for you john https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... ReYGLOoVdg and althoug their is plenty of info on there i haven't got the time atm to be looking through it all but it's worth a good look mate as it just might have the clue's your looking for ..

Ian

It has mudguard eyes, so it's not a 'racer' as such

This is all useful information! (I only paid £20 for it so I'm not bothered what it turns out to be).

And TBH if it's already been mucked about with then I can do what I like with a clear conscience. That said, if I can identify it's probable original configuration that would be a plus.

Thank you MrW and Muddy Paw for your informed viewpoints - the after market decals might explain my spectacular failure in finding a match in the catalogues. Weight wise I'm pretty sure it's 531, and also the lugs match my other 25" 531 frame. I completely failed to notice the mudguard eyes!

I'll get a picture of the lugs and the front badge up later on, that might give some more information. I'll also post details of what furniture is left on the frame (as I strip it down).

I'm considering rebuilding this as something more authentic to a bygone era so I think it's only fitting to look into it's history as much as possible.

Ultimately, for me it's cost very little money and if I can stop it being scrapped and get some enjoyment out of it then I will.

Again - thank you for you help and I'll see if anybody else has anything to add when then login after work

No problem John as were always happy to help and like you i also failed to notice the mudgaurd eyelets on the drop outs which is no surprise as your pic doesn't show up that clear on my ancient netbook and i know it's my netbook that's at fault because it's clear as day on the wifes much newer tablet but if this frameset has the same lugs as your other then you already know the decade which i still assume is the 80's ..

@ MrW ,

Well spotted mate so yes the eyelets indicate to me that it's a sports bike or hopefully a sports tourer but either way if it is reynolds tubing then it's a decent frameset ..

Ian

Royal / Clubman used this style of frame as did the 501 Zenith iirc

Shaun

Midlife":zx3n12uq said:

Royal / Clubman used this style of frame as did the 501 Zenith iirc

Shaun

Click to expand...

Nice one Shaun that info should be really helpful to John and the pic looks ton's better cheers bud ..

More information I think, I've been busy.

I can confirm it has Haden Royal Sovereign Lugs (see http://wyganowskiframes.com/sony-dsc-101)

The brakes are still fitted, they are Weinmann 605 side pulls

The forks have SUNTOUR GS ends (just about visible when scrubbed), forged crown of some kind.

Frame geometry matches 1984.

Also surviving is a Campagnolo front mech, pump mount, rear mech (I cannot make it out, so assuming generic).

Am now reasonable certain (thanks to the help above) that it is 1984, not 1974.
Apart from the points mentioned previously the head-badge is a good match for this 1984 model - http://heroicbicycle.co.uk/wp-content/u ... 096499.jpg

Fortunately I have found a 1984 Raleigh catalogue here - http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh84/

So I am looking for a match on
(1) 531 steel
(2) Suntour GS forkends
(3) Wienmann 605 sidepulls
(4) Campagnolo front mech
(5) Mudguard eyes
(6) Haden Royal Sovereign Lugs

Only one bike in the 1984 catalogue fits the bill.

The "Record Ace 12".

Full specification can be found here - http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/R ... l84_12.jpg

It seems like a fairly high end model, so I'm happy with my purchase!

So I am assuming that somebody stripped it and painted it white/pearl. It should be fern green! I guess this happens a lot. This seems a nice example of the original - http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/raleigh-r ... -1984-4846

And again, many many thanks for your help. It was invaluable

John.

Now I have to decide if I rebuild it to it's former glory - at least I have a shopping list of parts now if I want to. And I need to decide if I go a light green base like the original.

So many decisions!