Calling Raleigh SBD Experts Help Wanted.

Well I've got my puddies on the SBDU Raleigh and Bugloss Snr. nearly had a fit when I told him I've bought a Raleigh and that it was now squeezed into his garage with all the other classic two wheeled wrecks.

I hope he doesn't have a senior moment and take the whole lot down the dump. I nearly lost a box of wheels that way!

A bit of history. It came originally from Belgium via Holland. It's never been raced and was bought with 5 months wages :shock: by a keen Belgian cyclist who ordered it as a special as soon as they started production, hence the chrome forks. (As Midlife said)

The chrome is good but the transfers are suffering as they are water lift and have no lacquer over them (where do I get Raleigh water lift transfers ?). I'll post some photos later.
 
There was a recent discussion on the Raleigh Team Pros Yahoo group about SB7 which recently surfaced after a restoration. In the course of the discussion it was stated that SB557 is the earliest known 753 frame from Ilkeston. So would think that yours is 531, which would also tie in with the chroming.

There are also 'typical' distinctions in the seatpost diameter, but I'd say you can fairly safely assume it's 531.

Congratulations, it's a lovely bike! I have a 753 from the mid 80s, I think the last year of the TI livery before the switch to Panasonic colours. I also have a Worksop Team Record in 531 that has the same half-chrome fork. Lovely, well-made frames.

You'll have to keen an eye open for the Ilkeston reunion next year ...

Cheers,
Gareth.
 
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