RALEIGH SBDU... Special Lightweight Race Bike

[vcballbat]

It was never my intention to start collecting Raleigh SBDU bikes but when this one turned up it was so unusual and all original i had to have it. Custom built by the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit for the original owner in Reynolds 531 Special Lightweight tubing and finished in a very unique black & white scheme. There's a great mix of top quality components all original and in superb condition, this bike has barely been ridden and carefully stored for the last 40 years..

 

[AndyMart]

Wow, unusual and in amazing original condition. Great find.

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Beautiful machine. Shame about the awful lug lining, hopefully thatll polish off.

 

[pigman]

Wire flint catchers

 

[vcballbat]

Not much to do with this just needs a good clean and polish up the components. I've pumped up the tubs and adjusted the front mech for a couple of short blasts, rides beautifuly and super light at just 8.7kg. Will replace the short brake cables and new stainless gear cables, thinking about keeping the original bar tape and perished but still usable hoods though... As for the lug lining, well I don't think that it would have left the SBDU like that, rather the original owner has had ago himself.. looks okay if you stand back and squint..

 

[Chopper the ex Copper]

DIY lug lining is my pet hate. Unlese you're a signwriter or the like, just don't! It invariably looks gash.

Thar looks like a cracking real world bike for blatting about upon, some nice detail.

 

[argonsixar]

That's lovely. Looks "Right". From slap bang in the period when I did most of my racing.

 

[Dicky71]

Really nice bike you got there. The rear mech outer cable may not be original though. It ought to be Campag steel one, then the cable itself will automatically be the correct length. This should improve gear change smoothness/accuracy. If my eyesight isn't failing(again), the cable seems to have lost a strand. It's up to you, just sayin

 

[Midlife]

Looks nice, odd mix of components but each to their own l. The braze on front mech looks put of place.... Just out of curiosity is it numbered?

 

[vcballbat]

Looks nice, odd mix of components but each to their own l. The braze on front mech looks put of place.... Just out of curiosity is it numbered?

Pretty standard for club riders to spend money on a custom frame build but then have to cherry pick the best components to fit the remaining budget. Braze on front mech's started to appear on SB Raleigh's early 1980 so by 82 they were a fairly common sight. The SB5300 number dates it to 1982...