nlerner

I'm making a concerted effort to trim the fleet and have an abundance of early 1970s Brit road bikes, so this one is up for grabs: a rare 1973 Raleigh RRA with Nervex Pro lugs in quite good shape.

These are a bit of a puzzle in that they were sold in just 1973 (according to Sheldon Brown), do not show up in any known catalog but only on a dealer's price list, priced just below the top-of-the-line Raleigh Professional for the 1973 model year. They also featured Simplex Super LJ mechs and Campagnolo vertical rear drop outs, the only Raleigh models to ever have those components.

This example is well preserved. Serial # is H811 (indicating a 1973 year of manufacture). Original parts include Weinmann 600 brake calipers and Weinmann levers (with rare black Carlton hoods in very good condition), 3ttt Record stem, GB bars with nice engraving, Stronglight mod. 93 crankset with 52/42t rings and dustcaps, Atom 700 quill pedals, Simplex Super LJ front derailleur, straight pin alloy 27.2mm seat post. Added parts include a period-appropriate wheelset--Rigida AL 1320 rims, early Shimano 600 hubs, SunTour 5-speed freewheel, Maillard QR skewers, Panaracer Pasela TG 700 x 28mm tires in excellent condition, a broken-in Brooks Pro saddle with lots of life left, Bike Ribbon bar tape. It is also shown with a Simplex LJ 4000 replacement rear derailleur; I have the original Simplex LJ and will include it in the sale. Unfortunately, the spring and mounting bolt need replacement. I will also include a set of Christophe toe clips and straps at no additional cost; just let me know what size you prefer (I have S, M, & L).

Size is a 23.5" seat tube, measured center to top, and a 22.5" top tube, center to center. Standover is 33". Wheelbase is 103cm, and chainstay measures 43cm (thus, more relaxed geometry than something racier).

The Reynolds and Carlton decals are recent additions. The bike has been completely overhauled. New bearings and new grease in headset, bottom bracket, and hubs. New cables and housing.

Overall condition of the frame is 8 out of 10, given some scratches and chips here and there. No dents, however. One area of concern (and shown in the pic below) is some evidence of a hairline crack along the seat cluster cap on the non-drive side, a pretty typical occurrence for Worksop-built Raleighs. I would advise ignoring it or filling with super glue and keeping an eye on it. It presents no structural issues.

SOLD!

ColonelJLloyd 

Tasty fork rake.

RobE30

Very nice

Dougbloch 

I love the lug work. A real beauty!

nlerner

Sold on the 'bay!

TimmyT 

GAAA!!! It wasn't my size, and I'm too cheap, anyway!!

Next time, Gadget... next time!

nlerner

I'll send you a picture to keep in your wallet.

TimmyT 

Thanks. It will go right next to the big wad of cash I didn't spend.

fender1

You would have done better to have sold it here for 1/97 of what you got on ebay. That way you wouldn't have to pay "DIRTY EBAY FEE'S".


You also missed out on the joy of coordinating all of the shipping details yourself, shipping on a Greyhound Bus and having to arrange a Sherpa to complete the delivery at the other end.


You would have saved an additional $1.17. You don't do this that often, do you?

nlerner

I am just covered in noob sauce. I thought about waiting until someone's dog died and then giving them the bike for free, but then I just got anxious to complete the flip. I know I should have asked what it's werth first and then taken the first lowball offer. I'm learning.

fender1

Oooooo it's my size! But I just bought 11 rusty varsity's for
$17.63 so my bike fund us empty. Would you hold this bike for a couple if weeks? That way I can sell a few varsity's and make some money to buy yours....

nlerner

Only if your dog dies.

TimmyT 

My brother's dog died a few weeks ago. Does that count?