Help with frame identification - Raleigh guru needed

[going_downhill]

I've acquired a nice old lugged Raleigh frame, but I'd like to know what model it is as it may help with some direction when carrying out the refurb.

I'm hoping its 531 main tubing, but I guess someone will be able to confirm, the material from the weight? It weighs in at 1.94kg but it is a 61cm centre of bb to top of seatube and 57cm centre to centre of top tube.

It has Raleigh embossed at the top of the seat stays, gipiemme dropouts and is a lugged and brazed assembly.

I've stumbled upon a 1991 Raleigh brochure online and I reckon the frame looks the same as a Volant, Veloce or a Vitesse.

Oh, and it has no frame number and I don't believe its ever been painted. Heres the pics.

 

[Midlife]

Looks a bit like a Royal but MrW, Raleighnut, bedraggled etc should be along soon

Shaun

 

[going_downhill]

Re:

Well, I was pretty sure it was a race frame rather than a touring model as there's no rack eyelets, just mudguard. I've just dropped a wheel in it and I did have to pull the rear end open a smidge to get a 130mm hub in, so its pointing to a race frame even more if its 125mm spacing?

I thought I'd take this opportunity to share this little beauty as well. A miniature lugged race frame, nice piece of shelf art

 

[bedraggled]

As you say it looks like a Vitesse from the 90 catalogue or maybe a Quadra/Club from the 89 catalogue.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/v/M ... 9.pdf.html
Probably the closest identification you will get is 1989/90 ish 531 frame.

Love the mini frame

 

[going_downhill]

Re:

Pretty sure that's it then. Not mad keen on any of the original paint jobs so not sure which way I'll go with it. I've wanted a lugged bike for a while just so I can add some hand painted details. I just wish the centre to top measurement was slightly smaller as I know this is going to come up to big for me. I'll enjoy the refurb though... I'd probably be up for swaps if anyone had a similar predicament and had a similar frame that was to small for them!

 

[Maca]

what the frame number on the bottom ? 1st two letters will tell you where and what month I was made. The 1st number will tell you year, so if its a 89 frame the number will be 9

It looks to me like a 86 - 89 frame.

 

[going_downhill]

Re:

This one doesn't have a frame number stamped in! no paint and no BB stamp. Looks like it never made it off the end of the production line.

I'm building another Raleigh at the minute which will be a proper road build, so this bike is going to become a fixie in the short term but I'm using this bike as inspiration for the colour. Definetly doing some gold hand painted detail around the lugs and the Raleigh text at the top of the stays.
http://peoplesbike.com/pplsen/?p=6674