Thank you for your reply Robin. I bought the frame from a club mate almost 30 years ago. I bought it because my very first bike in 1973 was a Raleigh Europa in team colours (18" frame and 24" wheels) and so I had nostalgic memories....... It is numbered SB4545 size 56, and is built in 753 tubing. For many years I stored it in a holiday flat on the coast in the south of France. It then came home, and as I said, my son purloined it for riding to school. I think the sea air in France and then some wet english school runs, means there is a lot of light rust on the frame. The paint seems very thin - so thin that it has completely disappeared from the rear brake bridge. I think it needs re-painting, though I'm not against the idea of sealing it with a clear coat and leaving it as original as possible. The only place that seems slightly pitted with rust is the top of the top tube, probably about the thinnest part of the tubing I suppose.Hi, if you really have one of these SBDU framed bikes that your son rode to every day school, that's amazing!
To make sure, look underneath the upside down bike at the bottom bracket for the frame number.
As was said before, these Special unit frames all started SB then up to a four figure number, sometimes an additional H and number present and possibly a frame size in cm, roughly in the range low 50s to mid 60s like this one has 62. (As seen in very first few pics. in this thread.) Raleigh Pro. team also had their initials stamped there with the sizing figures.
This guy's blog site will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know to help identify it.
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Remember, SBDUs are Special and historically important, don't muck around with them, seek guidance here, and from Neil McGowran of the link, just above, before you start.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Robin.
I do have plenty of old gear which would fit a finished bike out. Although some of it is on my old Mercian, I have a complete group-set of Record gear (except brakes which are I think Victory circa mid - eighties and which look almost identical to Record) including many pairs of Record hubs - mostly in sprint rims, record pedals, and even a SR BB with a titanium axle!
I would certainly welcome any advice on restoring it - mainly the frame. I raced for 30 odd years (though rarely on the Raleigh) and worked in a bike shop for about 8 years, so I have a good amount of experience with the period equipment. I do also have many Campag tools, except the specialist ones for reaming threads, facing BB's and Head tubes etc.
I will have to post some pictures which may help with getting advice on the best way forward. I should add that if I restore it - it will be ridden. It's not for the museum yet.....
Jim
