PhilFo 

So, I found this nice looking Raleigh on the big auction site at a really low price and took a risk. No other bidders, won it, just received it this afternoon.
It's in amazing condition, but doesn't have any model name. Headbadge is "The Raleigh", so it's later production. Frame color is silver with gold lined "window" lugs. "Raleigh" is in black script with red shadow on the downtube. Frame is 531, as is the fork. Top tube has three cable guides for full-length housing. Frame and fork have chrome "socks". No shifter braze-ons on the downtube, just the little triangle to keep a clamp-on shifter from slipping. Derailleur cable routing is under the bottom bracket, "diver's helmet" housing stop on the chromed lower side of the chainstay. No braze-ons for racks or mudguards. No chainstay dimpling inside nor outside. Finally, the dropouts are Suntour Superbe, 30mm long in the rear; fork dropouts are Suntour as well. Serial number is NOP5979. Could be N0P5979. As an aside, the headset is Campy Gran Sport, which is a really nice icing to the cake.
Is this a Competition? Perhaps early Prestige?
I've looked over Kurt Kaminer's serial number page, Sheldon Brown's page, Denton Cycle's page on lightweights. Various pages here on BF about Raleighs with Suntour DOs. I can't really find much on this frame set, so I'm reaching out to C&V for your knowledge.
Many thanks in advance!

nlerner

My guess is a Japanese-made Competition from 1979. Some photos would certainly help.

SW84

My guess is manufactured in Nottingham during the Oct/Nov cycle in 1975

rccardr 

…and THAT’S why I love them Raleighs!

Slowride79

one thing I can tell you is they weren’t putting Suntour Superbe drop outs on Raleighs in 1975. definitely 80s.

PhilFo 

Looking at the Asian Serial Number Guide thread here on BF, this frame tracks right along with the N(1) serial format. If my frame's # is N Zero P, this would place this at y=1980 and P=November if we use the convention suggested by BF user Hummer as stated in the N(1) entry.

Schreck83 

That sounds like the frame I posted recently on the “ Are you looking for” thread.

If the headbadge has a row of slashes (///////////////) instead of Nottingham, then Japan is likely where it was made. The Competition GS was made both in England and Japan in the early 80’s. The chrome socks on the Japanese frames are noticeably shorter than those on the English frames.

I posted a thread with my Japanese Competition GS from 1981, which has its original kit.

Kabuki12

My Competition GS is a 1977 which was the first year of this model. It is different than the Japan built bikes . I have no idea which is the better bike , but I love my English Worksop Raleigh. I have never owned any of the other builds. I do have an early seventies Holland built frame but I never built it up . It also has the slashes across where Nottingham is on the badge.

Schreck83 

My thread on the 1981 GS I mentioned above:

1981 Raleigh Competition GS

Kabuki12

that looks very similar to the 1977 I have.

PhilFo 

Schreck, I just read that thread this morning and it led me to surmise that my Raleigh is definitely a Japanese production Competition GS, from 1980 or ‘81.
Thanks all for the help! I’ll post some photos when I get the chance.

Hummer

Your original description matches the 1981 TI Raleigh (USA) catalogue for the Competition GS model. This model colour was black or silver. The frame was made in Japan by Matsushˇta/National in 1980.

Here is an example:



Raleigh (USA) Competition GS

PhilFo 

Hummer, that’s exactly it. Your addition to the Asian Serial Number thread info was invaluable.
Many thanks to all for the help.