1971 Raleigh Competition - in Lilac
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1971 Raleigh Competition - in Lilac
I've done various flavors of "after the project" threads, but I thought I'd try one that goes along with the progress of the project.
This one started the day that Gordo Trek posted about finding his Holdsworth, and the other bicycle that was a bit too small for him. He posted pictures, and I was fortunate to see them and negotiate a deal before other interested parties beat me to it. This one had a bit of special appeal to me for a few reasons. Gordo Trek lives in/near my ancestral hometown of Rochester, NY. In 1971, my Uncle had a bicycle shop in Rochester, and I believe he was the only Raleigh dealer in the area. While there's no definitive provenance, I can plausibly imagine that this may have been one that he originally sold. I do have his 1974 Superbe, but it's a size or two large for me. This is a perfect size for me, so I will ride it considerably more.
It also appeals to me because 1971 Raleighs are a bit of a mystery, and are "different". The Competition in particular has differences in colors from other years. The color of this machine could be described as lavender, but since it's from Rochester - a city with a very longstanding tradition of holding an annual lilac festival, I'm going with "lilac".
The fact that 1971 Raleigh USA catalogs seem to not exist, means that I can build this up however I want, and nobody can call me for being wrong. Not that that has ever stopped me before. I've also found very little online about this year/model, and I've noticed some curious things that I feel a bit of an obligation to document.
At any rate, like too many of my projects, this one might stretch out a bit. I have it completely disassembled, and mostly cleaned, There has been a bit of harsh treatment of this frame in the past which has resulted in scratching and some light surface rust, and some spots where paint is absent. Part of me would love to send it for a repaint, but I am determined to see how far back I can bring this using various compounds, a soft cloth and hours of elbow grease. The early stages of the effort have been encouraging, but the degree of success in some spots remains greatly in doubt.
As someone once noted here, threads are worthless without pictures, so here are some of my "befores". Actually, I did give most of the frame a once-over before taking these, but here goes.
A considerable amount of the frame was coated with crud. Mixed blessing, since it likely helped preserve the frame, even though it is a pain to remove.
Here's a shot that shows the scheme of contrasting paint on the seat tube, as well as the characteristic Raleigh arced brake cable stop.
Showing the head tube is a must.
I found it interesting that the serial number does not follow any of the published numbering schemes for Raleighs that I have seen previously attributed to full 531 models. I would have expected an F with four trailing numbers, but it looks like the Grand Prix/Super Course serial convention was followed. Also note that the dropout is not forged, and is actually stamped "US COMPETITION".
The dropout on the fork is also stamped "US COMPETITION"
and, yes, here's a decal also confirming the identity of the model.
More to come as the project grinds along. I do also have a 1974 Competition (black with Capella lugs) that I have recently built up as a fixed gear, so I'm more inclined to build this as a drop-bar geared bicycle with 10 or 12 speeds. Will probably be a bit of a "dog's breakfast" of a build, as I lack what I think are wheels, crankset and possibly the derailleurs/shifters that I would consider "appropriate", but those may be concerns to address months or years, rather than weeks down the road.
This one started the day that Gordo Trek posted about finding his Holdsworth, and the other bicycle that was a bit too small for him. He posted pictures, and I was fortunate to see them and negotiate a deal before other interested parties beat me to it. This one had a bit of special appeal to me for a few reasons. Gordo Trek lives in/near my ancestral hometown of Rochester, NY. In 1971, my Uncle had a bicycle shop in Rochester, and I believe he was the only Raleigh dealer in the area. While there's no definitive provenance, I can plausibly imagine that this may have been one that he originally sold. I do have his 1974 Superbe, but it's a size or two large for me. This is a perfect size for me, so I will ride it considerably more.
It also appeals to me because 1971 Raleighs are a bit of a mystery, and are "different". The Competition in particular has differences in colors from other years. The color of this machine could be described as lavender, but since it's from Rochester - a city with a very longstanding tradition of holding an annual lilac festival, I'm going with "lilac".
The fact that 1971 Raleigh USA catalogs seem to not exist, means that I can build this up however I want, and nobody can call me for being wrong. Not that that has ever stopped me before. I've also found very little online about this year/model, and I've noticed some curious things that I feel a bit of an obligation to document.
At any rate, like too many of my projects, this one might stretch out a bit. I have it completely disassembled, and mostly cleaned, There has been a bit of harsh treatment of this frame in the past which has resulted in scratching and some light surface rust, and some spots where paint is absent. Part of me would love to send it for a repaint, but I am determined to see how far back I can bring this using various compounds, a soft cloth and hours of elbow grease. The early stages of the effort have been encouraging, but the degree of success in some spots remains greatly in doubt.
As someone once noted here, threads are worthless without pictures, so here are some of my "befores". Actually, I did give most of the frame a once-over before taking these, but here goes.
A considerable amount of the frame was coated with crud. Mixed blessing, since it likely helped preserve the frame, even though it is a pain to remove.
Here's a shot that shows the scheme of contrasting paint on the seat tube, as well as the characteristic Raleigh arced brake cable stop.
Showing the head tube is a must.
I found it interesting that the serial number does not follow any of the published numbering schemes for Raleighs that I have seen previously attributed to full 531 models. I would have expected an F with four trailing numbers, but it looks like the Grand Prix/Super Course serial convention was followed. Also note that the dropout is not forged, and is actually stamped "US COMPETITION".
The dropout on the fork is also stamped "US COMPETITION"
and, yes, here's a decal also confirming the identity of the model.
More to come as the project grinds along. I do also have a 1974 Competition (black with Capella lugs) that I have recently built up as a fixed gear, so I'm more inclined to build this as a drop-bar geared bicycle with 10 or 12 speeds. Will probably be a bit of a "dog's breakfast" of a build, as I lack what I think are wheels, crankset and possibly the derailleurs/shifters that I would consider "appropriate", but those may be concerns to address months or years, rather than weeks down the road.
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#2
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I'm really confused by the Raleigh serial numbers. I built up an alley find frame into what I think is a 1973 Super Course. The problem is that I can't find any reference to the serial number I have. It has the Capella lugs, which should make it a 531 frame. The reference sites all talk about letter prefix, and all I have is numbers, similar to yours.
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Zeus Competition dropouts. That may help.
DD
DD
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Hello,
My first "real" bike was one of the lilac competitions. Most likely a 71 that I purchased in 72. For-what's-it's-worth, it came equipped with sew ups, Normandy hubs (don't remember the type of rim), Weinmann center pull brakes, Huret gear changers, GB bars and stem, Stronglight 49D crankset (sans chain guard), and a Brooks saddle, which I still use. Although it was way too big for me, I loved that bike and rode the hell out of it until I could afford a correct size frame.
Good luck with the builds and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Van
My first "real" bike was one of the lilac competitions. Most likely a 71 that I purchased in 72. For-what's-it's-worth, it came equipped with sew ups, Normandy hubs (don't remember the type of rim), Weinmann center pull brakes, Huret gear changers, GB bars and stem, Stronglight 49D crankset (sans chain guard), and a Brooks saddle, which I still use. Although it was way too big for me, I loved that bike and rode the hell out of it until I could afford a correct size frame.
Good luck with the builds and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Van
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Hello,
My first "real" bike was one of the lilac competitions. Most likely a 71 that I purchased in 72. For-what's-it's-worth, it came equipped with sew ups, Normandy hubs (don't remember the type of rim), Weinmann center pull brakes, Huret gear changers, GB bars and stem, Stronglight 49D crankset (sans chain guard), and a Brooks saddle, which I still use. Although it was way too big for me, I loved that bike and rode the hell out of it until I could afford a correct size frame.
Good luck with the builds and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Van
My first "real" bike was one of the lilac competitions. Most likely a 71 that I purchased in 72. For-what's-it's-worth, it came equipped with sew ups, Normandy hubs (don't remember the type of rim), Weinmann center pull brakes, Huret gear changers, GB bars and stem, Stronglight 49D crankset (sans chain guard), and a Brooks saddle, which I still use. Although it was way too big for me, I loved that bike and rode the hell out of it until I could afford a correct size frame.
Good luck with the builds and enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
Van
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I'm really confused by the Raleigh serial numbers. I built up an alley find frame into what I think is a 1973 Super Course. The problem is that I can't find any reference to the serial number I have. It has the Capella lugs, which should make it a 531 frame. The reference sites all talk about letter prefix, and all I have is numbers, similar to yours.
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#8
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Through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, stamped dropouts were very common on midgrade frames, and even on some high-end ones, like the Capo Sieger. There is nothing wrong with your Zeus units, which look similar to my Agratis.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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Sweet! I was anxiously waiting to see when you would post a thread about building this beauty up. This frame came into our coop a few years ago, I recognized the model right away, and saved it from a recycling pile. It has been hanging up in our storage facility waiting for the moment to be built up. But over the winter we had to move all of our bikes into a much smaller storage area and decisions had to be made about projects. The senior ups knew I saved this frame, so they asked me if I wanted it. So of course I said yes, the day I went to pick it up, I saved my Holdsworth frame from certain death as well.
Can't wait to see how this turns out, and who cares what parts go on it. Just make it rideable, you can always upgrade as you go!
Can't wait to see how this turns out, and who cares what parts go on it. Just make it rideable, you can always upgrade as you go!
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That's a cool backstory and frame! Will be nice to see full pics as the project gathers steam.
I know of the hours spent cleaning, scrubbing and polishing the frames.
I know of the hours spent cleaning, scrubbing and polishing the frames.
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Eager to see more - this year and color is my favorite variant of the Raleigh Competition.
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Sweet frame. Definitely worth some love and sweat equity to save it and get it back a'rolling. I doubt that I could have resisted the mystical attractiveness that is inherent in all lilac colored bicycles.
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Thanks
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I like projects like these. Subscribing!
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That's a great project, John, and a rare find. I had one of the early 70s Competitions in Gran Sport blue/white finish (which also isn't in the catalog), and that had Zeus dropouts (forged, not stamped) and kind of the usual kit for that era: Weinmann cp brakes and Weinmann levers, Simplex Prestige derailleurs, Stronglight 93 crankset, straight pin alloy post and Brooks saddle, GB bars and stem. What size seat post does your lilac Raleigh take?
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That's a great project, John, and a rare find. I had one of the early 70s Competitions in Gran Sport blue/white finish (which also isn't in the catalog), and that had Zeus dropouts (forged, not stamped) and kind of the usual kit for that era: Weinmann cp brakes and Weinmann levers, Simplex Prestige derailleurs, Stronglight 93 crankset, straight pin alloy post and Brooks saddle, GB bars and stem. What size seat post does your lilac Raleigh take?
Just went through my rims. I guess I'll be fitting this out with tubulars, and likely using some of my reconditioned Gyromaster hubs.
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Fixed cup appears to be T.A.
Since chainset in GordoTrek photo is not T.A. perhaps T.A. was the machine's original chainset. Headset is Brampton Aletet.
This will be fun to follow.
Here is the catalogue page for the frame's ends set -
-----
Fixed cup appears to be T.A.
Since chainset in GordoTrek photo is not T.A. perhaps T.A. was the machine's original chainset. Headset is Brampton Aletet.
This will be fun to follow.
Here is the catalogue page for the frame's ends set -
-----