1973 Raleigh International
#1
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1973 Raleigh International
I picked this up yesterday; I believe it to be a ‘73 due to the Capella lugs. I haven’t had one with this type of lug before and that was probably the main reason I went after it.
The frame and paint are in very nice shape- no dents and just a few scratches.
Lots of original parts have gone missing over the years, but I’m hoping to bring it back slowly as the budget allows. I do like the addition of the TA triple crank though.
Im guessing that all of the grease in the bearings is vintage 1973 also; everything is stiff and spins poorly. I’ll likely start on the headset and front wheel this afternoon when football starts and the rain comes in. Here are a couple of photos to start:

Love the color!

The frame and paint are in very nice shape- no dents and just a few scratches.
Lots of original parts have gone missing over the years, but I’m hoping to bring it back slowly as the budget allows. I do like the addition of the TA triple crank though.
Im guessing that all of the grease in the bearings is vintage 1973 also; everything is stiff and spins poorly. I’ll likely start on the headset and front wheel this afternoon when football starts and the rain comes in. Here are a couple of photos to start:

Love the color!


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#2
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That'll turn out really nice. It's anyone's guess as to why they didn't come with touring gearing from the factory...
Did the previous owner have to modify the rear brake to get it to reach? Looks like the front is already at the bottom of the slot. I tried Campy sidepulls on my '67 Carlton 'The Flyer,' which is very similar to Internationals, and the rear wouldn't quite reach down to the 700c wheelset I was using. It was so close that it probably would've worked with 27" wheels.
Are the bottle braze-ons stock? I didn't realize they could come that way.
Did the previous owner have to modify the rear brake to get it to reach? Looks like the front is already at the bottom of the slot. I tried Campy sidepulls on my '67 Carlton 'The Flyer,' which is very similar to Internationals, and the rear wouldn't quite reach down to the 700c wheelset I was using. It was so close that it probably would've worked with 27" wheels.
Are the bottle braze-ons stock? I didn't realize they could come that way.
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Looks like a good project! As you probably know, the parts were all Campy Nuovo Record, with the exception of the Weinmann 610 centerpulls. Shouldn't be too hard to find the Weinmanns, since they were ubiquitous and inexpensive. You'll need the little barrel adjuster for the rear brake, which isn't as common as one might wish.
You might keep the rear derailleur if you plan to keep the TA triple crank. .. or find a nice SunTour VGT or Cyclone GT?
The Capella lugs are a curious detail for the International. They were used briefly, and I don't recall them being used on any other bike. Like the Raleigh "anniversary" headbadge that was on my '71 International, it's a fun detail that will make some folks say "what the **** is that?"
Steve in Peoria
You might keep the rear derailleur if you plan to keep the TA triple crank. .. or find a nice SunTour VGT or Cyclone GT?
The Capella lugs are a curious detail for the International. They were used briefly, and I don't recall them being used on any other bike. Like the Raleigh "anniversary" headbadge that was on my '71 International, it's a fun detail that will make some folks say "what the **** is that?"

Steve in Peoria
#5
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I haven’t looked that closely at the existing Shimano 600 brakes. I’m planning to replace them with either a set of Universal 68 side pulls that I have or try to find a set of DiaCompe center pulls like it came with originally.
I think that the original owner installed a set of threaded “rivnuts” to handle the bottle cage. At least they made a clean installation of it!
I think that the original owner installed a set of threaded “rivnuts” to handle the bottle cage. At least they made a clean installation of it!
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Oh, I love that chartreuse finish! Had one that came in a trade for a bike I shouldn't have traded, then sold that Shrek In'tl on eBay, which I probably shouldn't have done as well.
At one point, I had an International, a Competition, and a Super Course, all with Capella lugs. Must have been Capella lug day in Worksop!
At one point, I had an International, a Competition, and a Super Course, all with Capella lugs. Must have been Capella lug day in Worksop!
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The 1959 Flyer could be had with them, probably other models as well.
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It is curious that with those lugs and the short head tube there is barely room for the head badge!
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They were Carlton (pre-Raleigh) lugs. In 1973 somebody found them in box behind some empty biscuit tins when they were clearing everything out of the little-used lavatory by the stockroom (trying to get rid of the mice they were) and Robboe the foreman made the builders use them and so he sold a batch of new lugs out the back door for drink.
The 1959 Flyer could be had with them, probably other models as well.
The 1959 Flyer could be had with them, probably other models as well.

Steve in Peoria
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#12
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They were Carlton (pre-Raleigh) lugs. In 1973 somebody found them in box behind some empty biscuit tins when they were clearing everything out of the little-used lavatory by the stockroom (trying to get rid of the mice they were) and Robboe the foreman made the builders use them and so he sold a batch of new lugs out the back door for drink.
The 1959 Flyer could be had with them, probably other models as well.
The 1959 Flyer could be had with them, probably other models as well.
Nice set, Brian Baylis made a bike with them including his refinements, they were also on ebay on and off for a good while, should have bought a set.
This is a nice bike presented here.
The low setback seatpost is probably not terrific for saddle position, but decisions were made. Interesting the Shimano 600 shift levers, not my choice of calipers, but not bad either.
triple front is a decent choice.
The rear mech might be a modified Suntour unit. Appears the mad drill operator started but did not finish the shifters.
Rebuild, repack everything. Get the position correct.
I have a '71 with all original equipment, save bar tape and tires, although I do have close to original Hutchinson tubulars even. Same color.
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Curious as to the letter that's the first character of the serial? G? H? A? or W?
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#14
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The first letter in the serial number is “A”.
The grease in the headset was so gummy that it effectively kept the bearings from moving; the grease in the front hub was- wait for it- nonexistent! No wonder it felt a bit rough!
I think the only original parts left on this were the wheels, Campy headset and front derailleur
I think I have a set of Campy downtube shifters and correctly sized seatpost rattling around in the parts bin.
Yes, the original owner got busy with his drill on the rear Suntour derailleur and rear brake caliper. Thankfully he stopped there!
The grease in the headset was so gummy that it effectively kept the bearings from moving; the grease in the front hub was- wait for it- nonexistent! No wonder it felt a bit rough!

I think the only original parts left on this were the wheels, Campy headset and front derailleur
I think I have a set of Campy downtube shifters and correctly sized seatpost rattling around in the parts bin.
Yes, the original owner got busy with his drill on the rear Suntour derailleur and rear brake caliper. Thankfully he stopped there!
Last edited by orcas island; 01-24-21 at 06:41 PM.
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The International is iconic. Mine is a 71, pictured here during it's Classical period.

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1987 Mercian Pro, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10E, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10E, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1972 Raleigh Super Course
#16
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The first letter in the serial number is “A”.
The grease in the headset was so gummy that it effectively kept the bearings from moving; the grease in the front hub was- wait for it- nonexistent! No wonder it felt a bit rough!
I think the only original parts left on this were the wheels, Campy headset and front derailleur
I think I have a set of Campy downtube shifters and correctly sized seatpost rattling around in the parts bin.
Yes, the original owner got busy with his drill on the rear Suntour derailleur and rear brake caliper. Thankfully he stopped there!
The grease in the headset was so gummy that it effectively kept the bearings from moving; the grease in the front hub was- wait for it- nonexistent! No wonder it felt a bit rough!

I think the only original parts left on this were the wheels, Campy headset and front derailleur
I think I have a set of Campy downtube shifters and correctly sized seatpost rattling around in the parts bin.
Yes, the original owner got busy with his drill on the rear Suntour derailleur and rear brake caliper. Thankfully he stopped there!
#17
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They were Carlton (pre-Raleigh) lugs. In 1973 somebody found them in box behind some empty biscuit tins when they were clearing everything out of the little-used lavatory by the stockroom (trying to get rid of the mice they were) and Robboe the foreman made the builders use them and so he sold a batch of new lugs out the back door for drink.
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i met a fellow years ago who had a green one like this. iirc, it had a bunch of campy stuff, but had suntour command shifters. after i drooled all over his bike, i asked him if he'd ever thought of selling it. he just looked at me as if i'd asked to sleep with his wife. the bike was way too big, anyway, and, i'm still alive, so.....all good
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They were Carlton (pre-Raleigh) lugs. In 1973 somebody found them in box behind some empty biscuit tins when they were clearing everything out of the little-used lavatory by the stockroom (trying to get rid of the mice they were) and Robboe the foreman made the builders use them and so he sold a batch of new lugs out the back door for drink.
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yes, some cycle producers deal with this difficulty by having more than one size of head emblem
two marques i've worked with who did this were Centurion, who had three sizes, and Ideor Asso who had two sizes
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