Early Raleigh SBDU ('Capella' lugs) Painted

[gavr]

Here I think I have something really special indeed - just arrived from a well-known dealer. It's Raleigh SBDU SB1452 (H250) which makes in back end of 1976 or early 1977 from what I can find elsewhere on the site. Some cutie pie has over-painted it badly in silver and black but it looks to have been pearl white originally, which is visible in places, with a black seat tube band. The rust spots are superficial and the frame seems sound on first inspection. It has the rather rare 'Capella' style lugs which would have been a special order (hence the H code) and the four slots in the BB shell which was pretty standard for Ilkeston at the time. Also, unusally, it has clearance for mudguards but no eyes. The frame weighs in at a gnats under 1800g and the fork 600g so pretty light for a 56cm square. Dropouts are drilled campag. It's light enough to be 753 I feel but it doesn't seem right. It takes a 27.2 mm seat post (i'd expect 26.8 mm for 753 of this age) and I think I recall reading that the 'capella' lugs were only available for 531 diameter tubing, so quite possibly 531 SL, which came in around 1976 - I'd value your opinions on that. The gold and black Raleigh decal could be original but the heron badge has long gone.

I wanted a cheap-ish beater to go with a Shimano 600 Arabeque group that I had doing nothing but this seems much too nice for that now...

 

[originalshinkicker]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

Nice frame. It's always good to see something different from the SBDU. My 753 in 57cm weighs in at 1645 grms for the frame so you probably have 531SL to get that weight. 753 of that age in that size would take 27.0 - larger 753 took a 26.8

27.2 sounds right for 531 and 531SL

I also have a 1984 SBDU in 531 Professional tubing (the successor of 531SL) that is a 58.5 and weighs in at 1883

 

[gavr]

Re:

Nice frame. It's always good to see something different from the SBDU. My 753 in 57cm weighs in at 1645 grms for the frame so you probably have 531SL to get that weight. 753 of that age in that size would take 27.0 - larger 753 took a 26.8

My 1981 753 '56' has a 26.8mm seat post so I think that's where 'larger' probably started. This also has an extra paint layer so difficult to judge on weight alone. Given that it's a special build it could really be anything - I don't know what a SBDU 531 weighed or even if they did 531 SL but it's a lot lighter that your normal 531db from bitd. 531 SL coming online at that time kind of fits with the age of the frame for me...

 

[Old Ned]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

Weren't the drilled rear dropouts indicative of a Time Trial frame?

 

[glpinxit]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

I don't usually question Mr Shin* but I wonder if his scales need calibrating.
Reynolds' own brochures (http://equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/i ... ochure.jpg and http://equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/i ... ochure.jpg ) suggest 1800g for a 753 frame and that is also what mine (SB1988 which is size 58.5cm) weighs (and the linked brochures are also consistent with my non SB 531C 2000g frame). Wild card is that SB1988 takes a 27.2mm seat post.

 

[gavr]

Re:

Weren't the drilled rear dropouts indicative of a Time Trial frame?

This isn't a straight time trial special for sure. Peter Kohler's here is a beauty and within a few months of mine age-wise, there are similarities but major differences too

http://www.ipernity.com/doc/286349/15709409

I going to have to decide on paint since this is beyond a sympathetic restoration. No idea at the moment but not Team colours.

I don't usually question Mr Shin* but I wonder if his scales need calibrating.

I don't think he's too far out at all...

 

[Midlife]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

Capella lugs appeared on a few SBDU frames the dropouts were drilled for road, track and TT as a sort of "Signature".

Are there any other marks on the forks? they were not made by the same builder as the frame and were often stamped.

Nice

Shaun

 

[gavr]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

Capella lugs appeared on a few SBDU frames the dropouts were drilled for road, track and TT as a sort of "Signature".

Are there any other marks on the forks? they were not made by the same builder as the frame and were often stamped.

Nice

Shaun

The only mark on the fork, as far as I can see, is a stamp '250' on the steerer, which matches the 'H' number

 

[originalshinkicker]

Re: Raleigh SBDU

I don't usually question Mr Shin* but I wonder if his scales need calibrating.
Reynolds' own brochures (http://equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/i ... ochure.jpg and http://equusbicycle.com/bike/reynolds/i ... ochure.jpg ) suggest 1800g for a 753 frame and that is also what mine (SB1988 which is size 58.5cm) weighs (and the linked brochures are also consistent with my non SB 531C 2000g frame). Wild card is that SB1988 takes a 27.2mm seat post.

Yep definitely 1645 grams - mine is a 57 frame. At some point in the frame size scale, the SBDU changed the metric 753 tubing from the 801 gauge to 803 (the heavier gauge) to suit larger frames. I'm just not sure if it was 58.5 or larger. That is why you get the 27.0 and 26.8 pin diameters.

Even if a 57 and 58.5 was built of the same gauge, there are obviously differences in the length of frame tubes/stays and steerer column and therefore frame weights.

One thing that Reynolds info doesn't mention is what size frame they have based those weights on.

I also have a 753 SBDU in 58.5 and it weighs in at 1877 grams which is almost the same as the Reynolds info (weighed on the same scales )

 

[gavr]

Re:

Here's the link to my 1981 753 refurb just out of interest - still one or two things to get right but the parts are so expensive even in good condition rather than nos

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=173768