Mystery bike - Any ideas?

[gerryattrick]

This was donated to us last week. With no manufacturer decals, it is a fairly light nickel plated frame with wishbone stays.

Under the BB are the two codes R903530556 and T690

Does anyone know what it is?

 

[coomber]

Can't help. Wishbones should be a clue though.

Love those forks. If they are 1" give me a shout if you part this bike!

 

[ovlov440]

Fork isn't original (but I guess you already knew that). I am erring towards it being a Sunn frame...

 

[legrandefromage]

Hmmm welding looks very fine for steel. Got a magnet to hand?

 

[Fudd]

Looks like titanium to me. I don't think I've seen welds that thick on a steel frame before. It has a few similarities with my 96 Raleigh Torus/RSP but some differences as well.

 

[ovlov440]

by the serial number it IS a Raleigh

1993 model
Bike number 556 built on 4th Feb

Fudd could be right then about the Ti element (T - dunno what 690 is though)

 

[gerryattrick]

I just assumed it was nickel plating, never tested with a magnet, and never thought about Ti. Will do so tomorrow.

It just doesn't look like aluminium so if it's not steel, how do you check for aluminium or titanium? Should I try to scratch an unobtrusive area to see if it marks easily?

 

[ovlov440]

I would say tube diameter is too small for Alu - think you may be pleasantly surprised in the morning

 

[steelcat]

Tap it and see what it sounds like and compare it to a steel bike or an Ali bike. Ti. Sounds different

 

[legrandefromage]

The riveted cable guides said Ti to me but smartphone can only show so much. I have never seen stuff riveted to steel. Only carbon, alu and ( fanfare) TITANIUM!