Raleigh Serial Number deciphering

[NJH90]

I've had this old Raleigh racer for years and I've never been able to date it. It doesn't seem to fall into any of the common number systems I've seen online. No decals. Any ideas?

That's 63121 on the bottom Bracket and 8124770 on the seat tube. Excuse the rust, I'm about to respray

 

[Midlife]

If you post a few pics of the frame the details often give a clue.

 

[NJH90]

I've had this old Raleigh racer for years and I've never been able to date it. It doesn't seem to fall into any of the common number systems I've seen online. No decals. Any ideas?

That's 63121 on the bottom Bracket and 8124770 on the seat tube. Excuse the rust, I'm about to respray

 

[Midlife]

Top tube guides, under BB cable guides but nutted brakes sort of puts in early 70's.

Glue on Raleigh badge and a Raleigh seat bolt can de additions.

Don't recognise it as a UK Raleigh but could be wrong. Maybe an export, overseas made or not a Raleigh

 

[dorset boy]

Custom are stems used by Raleigh,if you have the time and are that bothered take the fork out and look into the headtube as the badge had three locating holes.

 

[vcballbat]

Looks like a late 80's Raleigh Flyer or similar Raleigh entry level racing bike

 

[Eclipse12]

With respect to serial numbers, I have 3 Raleigh Eclipse 12 in 501. One bought new in UK July 1989, 25" (64cm) frame (& still located there) built after February 1989 based on the date code of the original Selle Royal saddle, and two, second hand, 23.5" (59cm) frames, sourced in Germany over last year where I now live. All frames are with internally routed rear brake cable. Based on photographs I've seen, the Eclipse was available (earlier model / version?) with externally routed rear brake cable.

Both German sourced bikes (I'm surprised how many Eclipse's are here) are likely 1988 builds (or 1 may be early 1989) based on date codes on Shimano front & rear derailleurs, and Maillard rear wheel hub (no original saddles on these 2 unfortunately). I spent some time looking for serial numbers when I purchased them ( i)BB, ii) various locations at top of seat tube) to no avail. At the weekend, on the third of these bikes, the more likely 1988 build, by chance I found the serial number, well hidden under the original & only paint, located at the bottom of seat tube, left hand (non chain / drive) side. The seven digit number starts 819xxxx (no letters). I have not looked at the other 2 bikes yet as they are in storage. It will be interesting to see them, particularly the UK one to see if serial number starts with a "9".

I still have the UK purchased bikes' handbook with sticker on it giving the frame number in the format 85xx 1xxxx ECLIPSE (no "9" in this number) which will not make sense to me (if at all), until I cross reference it with the actual frame now I know where to look. Also on all 3 bikes is a silver sticker located at the bottom of the seat tube facing the down tube, with an 8 digit number on, although on the bike where I have now found the serial number, the number has faded & become unreadable.

I am wondering, due to the number of Eclipse's in Germany if these were made at Gazelle, Dieren, NL (owned by same company as Raleigh 1971 - 2001), as I read some Raleighs were made there, although I recognise the Gazelle brand is more recognised for traditional city / road bikes.

Hope this helps people with Raleigh serial numbers at the end of the 1980's.