What the Heck is This?
11-22-19, 10:54 AM
#1
Thrifty Bill
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What the Heck is This?
OK, it has Campagnolo drop outs and a Condor head badge. But the badge is not riveted in place, despite rivet holes in the head badge. Lug work is OK, somewhat long points on some of it. None of the parts are original.
I picked this bike up several years ago from a flipper in Jacksonville, FL. At that time, it was a real mash-up build wise. Some Campy, some Shimano, some Suntour. Different eras too. So I tore it down, sold the better parts, donated other parts, and sold the frame cheap to a friend. He built it back up mainly with Campy parts, but not entirely. Headset, seat post and wheels are not Campy. He ended up wanting to get rid of it, so back it came.
Can't find a serial number anywhere, paint is on the thick side so I do not think it is original either.
27.2 seat post, standard British BB threading.
I picked this bike up several years ago from a flipper in Jacksonville, FL. At that time, it was a real mash-up build wise. Some Campy, some Shimano, some Suntour. Different eras too. So I tore it down, sold the better parts, donated other parts, and sold the frame cheap to a friend. He built it back up mainly with Campy parts, but not entirely. Headset, seat post and wheels are not Campy. He ended up wanting to get rid of it, so back it came.
Can't find a serial number anywhere, paint is on the thick side so I do not think it is original either.
27.2 seat post, standard British BB threading.
11-22-19, 10:55 AM
#2
Thrifty Bill
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11-22-19, 10:58 AM
#3
Thrifty Bill
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Unknown Condor? by wrk101, on Flickr
Unknown Condor? by wrk101, on Flickr
Unknown Condor? by wrk101, on Flickr
11-22-19, 11:54 AM
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For some reason, not all of the photos are showing up for me. Given the repaint/powdercoat, not a surprise that the badge had to be glued back on. I don't see any particular details that scream out early Condor, but there were a range of models with different attention to detail. I have a '73 Condor Italia that was repainted and unbadged at some point, and the serial # is consistent with what else seems to be known about the marque.
11-22-19, 01:08 PM
#6
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Weighs in at 22.2 pounds as pictured with saddle, pedals, toe clips.
Non drive drop out does have a serial number 72128. 120mm rear spacing.
Non drive drop out does have a serial number 72128. 120mm rear spacing.
11-22-19, 01:40 PM
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Not with those head tube lugs and a 27.2 post. It's likely some sort of DB Reynolds 531 frameset, perhaps a Condor, but not a high-end one.
From condorcycles.com: "Condor frames from 1948 to 1980s are stamped with a four or five digit frame number. Frames from mid to late 1990s onwards are stamped with a five or six digit frame number. The first two numbers denote the year the frame was made, while the second two or three digits refer to the production number. In some cases, the format is reversed, such that the production number is first and the year second." So it's 1972 if it's a Condor?
From condorcycles.com: "Condor frames from 1948 to 1980s are stamped with a four or five digit frame number. Frames from mid to late 1990s onwards are stamped with a five or six digit frame number. The first two numbers denote the year the frame was made, while the second two or three digits refer to the production number. In some cases, the format is reversed, such that the production number is first and the year second." So it's 1972 if it's a Condor?
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11-22-19, 01:44 PM
#8
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From condorcycles.com: "Condor frames from 1948 to 1980s are stamped with a four or five digit frame number. Frames from mid to late 1990s onwards are stamped with a five or six digit frame number. The first two numbers denote the year the frame was made, while the second two or three digits refer to the production number. In some cases, the format is reversed, such that the production number is first and the year second." So it's 1972 if it's a Condor?
But yes, at that weight, I wouldn't expect it's a mid-grade frame. I really can't speak much to what head-tube lugs Raleigh used over the years.
11-22-19, 04:50 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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11-22-19, 05:01 PM
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May be of interest to you: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...nt-find-3.html
(I found this page more interesting due to s/n on the DO, but you may want to scroll to start and recognize lug similarities)
(I found this page more interesting due to s/n on the DO, but you may want to scroll to start and recognize lug similarities)
Last edited by francophile; 11-22-19 at 05:04 PM.
11-22-19, 05:23 PM
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Is it my imagination, or did the person striking the serial number hold the "8" block upside down?
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11-22-19, 08:02 PM
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Am I the only one who sees signs of head-on impact? If so. I'm glad, and probably need new reading glasses.
11-22-19, 08:19 PM
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Neat frame and I agree it looks somewhat Raleigh-ish, but yeah, it may be a Condor under that thick paint after all. The problem is that the thick paint/PC doesn't give us a way clear to assess the quality of the joints. I would think the finish on the Condor will be better than the finish on the Raleigh, having owned both.
How about a shot of the shell? And the rear brake bridge?
DD
11-22-19, 08:56 PM
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And now I see it too. Other than the dent on the drive side of the crown, I couldn't put my finger on what was out of place about the fork. Now I look at it, it's too round or something and doesn't jibe for me. And now I see the TT and DT within that inch before the HT, I can't help but wonder if it was in a head-ender and the fork is a replacement. Which could also explain the repaint. Wondering if the fork steerer has any info on it.
11-22-19, 09:52 PM
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Thrifty Bill
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No info on the steer tube, I pulled it to look at it.
11-22-19, 09:55 PM
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The link mentioned above is a ringer with the Condor. Interesting.
11-23-19, 04:48 PM
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There are no fender eyelets on the fork like there are on the stays. I know this can happen from time to time but I’d check to see if it’s a replacement. That would jibe with the damage.
11-23-19, 11:27 PM
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Hmmm, not so sure if the fork is a slam-dunk red-herring but very likely not OEM since no matching serial number. The "bikini" cut-down crown is USUALLY a bit later than frames with these Prugnat headlugs and long Campy dropouts, but have seen some that made me reconsider. And this fork has what I Think are classic "long oval" Imperial Reynolds forkblades, plus take nutted brake, so not that far afield.
