70 Raleigh Professional MK1
01-17-19, 08:24 PM
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70 Raleigh Professional MK1
Well I bought the Pro. I really am impressed with the bike. She is beautiful. The craftsmanship is awesome! There was only 1 disappointment, the dent on the top tube. I am going to have to dig in and see when it was done. So I am itching to tear into this bike. Can't wait to see what she is when done! Will update as i progress! Thanks for all the help identifying the bike and value of it.
Bill
This is the dent. Not huge but disappointing.
Bill
This is the dent. Not huge but disappointing.
01-18-19, 05:10 AM
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Congratulations on the Pro. I'm sure pleased with my '76. I cannot tell just where that TT dent is but I've seen several old bikes that suffer from that common malady BITD. As the fashion, in days of yore, was to angle the ramps well down, hoods well down and the rider well stretched out over the front wheel, the drops ended up either parallel to the ground or up a bit. For a tall rider with the stem well up, that all meant that the ends of the bars we're right in line with the TT. It was inevitable that the owner would, sooner than later, pick up the bike wrong and the front wheel wound swing around, along with the HBs and, "ding", the bar end would wack the TT. I have that same ding on my Pro and on another bike.
If if only the bike builders had paid attention to detail. Slaves to the fashion of the times.
If if only the bike builders had paid attention to detail. Slaves to the fashion of the times.
01-18-19, 07:10 AM
#3
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Great bike. Goin on 50 years old! One little ding...shows the bike was used and enjoyed. Its really an awesome find. Enjoy!
01-18-19, 07:20 AM
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Congrats. It's beautiful now, but will be even more beautiful if you choose to restore it. I could help you out with a proper "Centennial" headbadge if you choose to go the restoration route.
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01-18-19, 08:36 AM
#5
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Congratulations on the Pro. I'm sure pleased with my '76. I cannot tell just where that TT dent is but I've seen several old bikes that suffer from that common malady BITD. As the fashion, in days of yore, was to angle the ramps well down, hoods well down and the rider well stretched out over the front wheel, the drops ended up either parallel to the ground or up a bit. For a tall rider with the stem well up, that all meant that the ends of the bars we're right in line with the TT. It was inevitable that the owner would, sooner than later, pick up the bike wrong and the front wheel wound swing around, along with the HBs and, "ding", the bar end would wack the TT. I have that same ding on my Pro and on another bike.
If if only the bike builders had paid attention to detail. Slaves to the fashion of the times.
If if only the bike builders had paid attention to detail. Slaves to the fashion of the times.
As Big Chainring said she is 49 years old! Had not looked at it that way really. I am totally pleased with it!
01-18-19, 10:20 AM
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An early 70s Raleigh Professional is at the top of my "hope I find one of those" list. Sweet bike. 
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-18-19, 01:49 PM
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01-18-19, 02:42 PM
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One night, a long time ago, I was out for a ride after work. It was winter time but it's never cold here in SoCal. It was after dark but the yellow street lights were more than adequate to navigate safely. I was alone for the entire ride, barely a car on the entire route. I was about a block from home, coasting as part of my cooldown. It was then I was pulled over by a police officer.
Yes, it was after dark. No, I did not have a headlight. No, the bike was not registered in the State of California. He actually wrote a ticket for not having a headlight and not having one of those little blue and silver stickers on the bike. The thing is, one of those citations, perhaps the one for the license, required my physical presence in traffic court in front of a judge/magistrate.
I appeared in court, plead guilty, showed the new headlight and the new tag. The judge smiled ever so slightly and gave a suspended sentence.
I still have the blue and silver tag. It has never been installed.
Yes, it was after dark. No, I did not have a headlight. No, the bike was not registered in the State of California. He actually wrote a ticket for not having a headlight and not having one of those little blue and silver stickers on the bike. The thing is, one of those citations, perhaps the one for the license, required my physical presence in traffic court in front of a judge/magistrate.
I appeared in court, plead guilty, showed the new headlight and the new tag. The judge smiled ever so slightly and gave a suspended sentence.
I still have the blue and silver tag. It has never been installed.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 01-18-19 at 02:50 PM.
01-18-19, 03:01 PM
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One night, a long time ago, I was out for a ride after work. It was winter time but it's never cold here in SoCal. It was after dark but the yellow street lights were more than adequate to navigate safely. I was alone for the entire ride, barely a car on the entire route. I was about a block from home, coasting as part of my cooldown. It was then I was pulled over by a police officer.
Yes, it was after dark. No, I did not have a headlight. No, the bike was not registered in the State of California. He actually wrote a ticket for not having a headlight and not having one of those little blue and silver stickers on the bike. The thing is, one of those citations, perhaps the one for the license, required my physical presence in traffic court in front of a judge/magistrate.
I appeared in court, plead guilty, showed the new headlight and the new tag. The judge smiled ever so slightly and gave a suspended sentence.
I still have the blue and silver tag. It has never been installed.
Yes, it was after dark. No, I did not have a headlight. No, the bike was not registered in the State of California. He actually wrote a ticket for not having a headlight and not having one of those little blue and silver stickers on the bike. The thing is, one of those citations, perhaps the one for the license, required my physical presence in traffic court in front of a judge/magistrate.
I appeared in court, plead guilty, showed the new headlight and the new tag. The judge smiled ever so slightly and gave a suspended sentence.
I still have the blue and silver tag. It has never been installed.
01-18-19, 03:49 PM
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-18-19, 07:52 PM
#12
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"No, I did not have a headlight. No, the bike was not registered in the State of California. He actually wrote a ticket for not having a headlight and not having one of those little blue and silver stickers on the bike. The thing is, one of those citations, perhaps the one for the license, required my physical presence in traffic court in front of a judge/magistrate."
The state always looking for a way to control your behavior. So happy to have moved out of that dump of a state in 1983! Don't even have a desire to visit. Midwest is the best!
The state always looking for a way to control your behavior. So happy to have moved out of that dump of a state in 1983! Don't even have a desire to visit. Midwest is the best!
01-18-19, 08:20 PM
#13
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It was a very safe neighborhood, in part because of pro-active enforcement. It was dark, lonely and quiet. I had a beard and was riding slowly. I probably caused him some concern. The ticket was bit over the top, though. The address on my driver's license showed I lived about a block away on that very street.
I am currently looking for a home in the midwest - flyover country. I don't even care where, I just want some space between me and my closest neighbor. Indiana is my current favorite I'm seeing LOTS of GREAT bike trails, paved and gravel.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 01-18-19 at 08:24 PM.
01-18-19, 08:32 PM
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I did plead guilty.
It was a very safe neighborhood, in part because of pro-active enforcement. It was dark, lonely and quiet. I had a beard and was riding slowly. I probably caused him some concern. The ticket was bit over the top, though. The address on my driver's license showed I lived about a block away on that very street.
I am currently looking for a home in the midwest - flyover country. I don't even care where, I just want some space between me and my closest neighbor. Indiana is my current favorite I'm seeing LOTS of GREAT bike trails, paved and gravel.
It was a very safe neighborhood, in part because of pro-active enforcement. It was dark, lonely and quiet. I had a beard and was riding slowly. I probably caused him some concern. The ticket was bit over the top, though. The address on my driver's license showed I lived about a block away on that very street.
I am currently looking for a home in the midwest - flyover country. I don't even care where, I just want some space between me and my closest neighbor. Indiana is my current favorite I'm seeing LOTS of GREAT bike trails, paved and gravel.
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01-19-19, 05:05 AM
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Going to court over bicycle registration? Never heard of such a thing, but congrats on such a good find. Lovely bike. Been on my wish list for many years.
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01-19-19, 12:32 PM
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11-11-19, 08:57 PM
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
11-11-19, 09:02 PM
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Last edited by USAZorro; 11-11-19 at 09:06 PM.
11-11-19, 09:16 PM
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No worries, thanks.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
11-11-19, 10:15 PM
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Is the entire frame chromed? My new-to-me International has the typical chrome headtube lugs, fork ends, and stays, but then paint. Are they all chromed underneath the paint?
11-11-19, 11:10 PM
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They were definitely not all chromed originally, in fact I doubt any of them were. Of course I can’t say with certainty but the chrome Professionals that have been popping up here on Bike Forums (I think maybe 3 this year) have likely been chromed aftermarket. I too have an International and two Professionals, the chrome doesn’t extend on any of them for more than a couple of inches beyond the paint lines.
11-18-19, 07:19 AM
#22
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Yes, the whole frame is chrome. I have now seen 4 other 70 MK1's chromed. The bike grabs your attention every time you walk by. I would say no they are not all chrome underneath. Not sure but I believe it was a after market chrome job. Although the guys at Carlton were known to do some different stuff.
