Is this Raleigh Banana a real or fake 513c?

[mrgumby]

Here are the pictures from ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1477852745

I wonder if the seatpost got stuck and then the paint got damaged when it was being removed? It does look like the 105 groupset has been replaced at some point.

I'll take some pictures of my one later on today..

Matt

 

[MrW]

Talking of which, has anyone seen this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1375029755

Been on eBay with a 'buy it now' of £500, the seller keeps dropping the price, lots of work but it's basically lipstick on a pig, isn't it? With an 18-23 frame?

It's been on eBay for weeks, and yes it is the 18-23 framed bike with a few 'additions'

 

[MrW]

Here are the pictures from ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1477852745

I wonder if the seatpost got stuck and then the paint got damaged when it was being removed? It does look like the 105 groupset has been replaced at some point.

I'll take some pictures of my one later on today..

Matt

Maybe it was a 'frame only' build, as nothing on the bike looks original. (headset, chain set, stem, brake calipers and levers, the list goes on and on..)



Also, the forks have Reynolds 531 decals on them which aren't visible on the brochure picture from 1988, although this is quite normal for Raleigh!

Yes, there does appear to be too much yellow on the seat stays which does look odd.

I've emailed the seller, asking one or two questions, let's see what he comes back with

 

[MrW]

Ok, its a Worksop built bike from January 1988

The seller sent me another picture of the BB, showing the frame number, and by the look of things it may have been extensively repainted, which will mean a major refurbishment

Update; after further conversation with the seller the bike has had the entire yellow element repainted at some point :-(

It's going to be a big refurbishment project, and maybe a bridge too far for some...

 

[aliante]

Re:

I've read elsewhere on this site that the built / not built origin of the frame can be identified by the metallic decal on the seat tube just below the 531c frame decal. If the decal is silver then it was a frame only, if the sticker is gold then it was a fully built bike.

The sticker in that picture looks silver to me.

It's hard to say without seeing it in the flesh, but I don't think I'd buy it without seeing it unless I was willing to take a risk that it might need a proper respray. But there aren't many bananas around so it all depends how long you are willing to wait I guess!

 

[mrgumby]

Heres my one..