1984 Raleigh Grand Prix
07-25-20, 09:50 AM
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1984 Raleigh Grand Prix
Picked this up a couple weeks ago from a thrift store. Even Goodwill has quadrupled their bike prices during this craze. But I liked the chrome and red combo so I still bought it. After some detailing, replacing the ugly black bar tape and new tires it pops. An interesting thing is it seems to have full polish chrome under the paint. Some people think the Schwinn World Voyageur does also but that is not true. It's unfinished chrome on it which looks more silver than chrome.
Last edited by schwinnbikebob; 07-25-20 at 09:52 AM. Reason: tape
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07-25-20, 10:41 AM
#2
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looking good!! love the tires and tape.. nice match.
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07-25-20, 01:16 PM
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That is definitely "Not your father's (1970) Raleigh Grand Prix." Looks like a great bike.
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"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
"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
07-25-20, 02:10 PM
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Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
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Yes, full chrome under the paint.I bought mine brand new in '85. My first "real bike"
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07-25-20, 11:56 PM
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Very nice bike. 
Make sure stem has enough insertion depth.
Make sure stem has enough insertion depth.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
07-26-20, 03:41 PM
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Hi,
I get a bit snobby myself, not wanting to "pollute" my Raleigh herd with anything not "Made in England"
But I have to admit this '84 does look good.
Were these from Japan or Taiwan?
Wasn't Huffy getting some English made frames too?
Thanks
Pete
I get a bit snobby myself, not wanting to "pollute" my Raleigh herd with anything not "Made in England"
But I have to admit this '84 does look good.
Were these from Japan or Taiwan?
Wasn't Huffy getting some English made frames too?
Thanks
Pete
07-26-20, 04:05 PM
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07-30-20, 11:52 PM
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Bikes: 02 Litespeed Ultimate, 84 & 85 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Raleigh Prestige, 85 Raleigh 555 RSL, '20 Raleigh Tamland, 38 Raleigh, 85 Landshark "Raleigh", '84 Marinoni Levi's Raleigh, SB4484, SB7979, Raleigh SSCXWC, 87 Raleigh USA 531 Prototype
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Last edited by La Brea Bike; 07-30-20 at 11:59 PM. Reason: Media Add
07-31-20, 12:09 AM
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Pete. there are like 10 major threads researching "555" Tubing. MANY people are enthralled due to the mystery. Yes these were Asian made. The 555SL Tubesets of this year have been agreed to be attributed to Tange and/or Ishiwata (both heralded for their excellent quality). The 555RSL has been found to be rebadged 531c. Check out the quality of the Lugwork and finish if you get a chance. It's tantalizing...
11-27-20, 06:35 AM
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Greeting!
Is there some way to date these 555sl Gran Prix frames?
I picked up this one which is on route to me so unfortunately these are the only photos at the moment.
I am not sure of the history of the ownership but the bike is in South Africa
Is there some way to date these 555sl Gran Prix frames?
I picked up this one which is on route to me so unfortunately these are the only photos at the moment.
I am not sure of the history of the ownership but the bike is in South Africa
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11-27-20, 07:08 AM
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First digit of the serial number.
11-27-20, 07:21 AM
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Thank you, the bike arrives tomorrow afternoon!
11-27-20, 08:56 AM
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Not the original crankset or FD. Not that that's a problem.
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11-27-20, 09:03 AM
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The bike which got the movie “Quicksilver” started. Also was the bike Voodoo used in his ill fated race against Jack, only they had painted it green.
Stunner of a machine you have!
Stunner of a machine you have!
11-27-20, 09:05 AM
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These photos are quite old, so the finishes may not be that easy to see - but it's all I have that qualifies as closeups:
1984 Raleigh Super Course:
Voyageur II:
These are both phenomenal framesets though. Right up there with the Centurions, Fujis, and other mid-range 1980's road bikes that absolutely hold their own against any of the legendary brands for a fraction of the price. The lugs may not be filed to the same perfection as a grail bike, but performance in the saddle doesn't care about that.
The only one that ever underperformed on me was this '84 Alyeska tourer. Sloppy, off-center fork construction. Fixed it in a Park fork jig, but it was always prone to high-speed shimmy, which is why I never seemed to finish this machine. I'd venture to say this was an oddity of this example only.
-Kurt
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11-28-20, 05:47 PM
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84 and 85 Raleigh racing lineup is all about that chrome. My ‘84 Competition is still the bike in my collection that sees the most miles. I’m not a huge fan of blue bikes (aside from my ‘85 Tempo of course!) but I’d put a clean ‘84 boysenberry Super Course high up on my wish list.
11-30-20, 02:35 AM
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Thank you all for the positive responses. I have stripped off the parts and cleaned the frame to start to rebuild the bike. I have learnt so much as I had never seen or heard about the brazed on boss under the down tube for fitting a "flick down stopper". The build of the frame is impressive and I am amazed at the light weight.
The serial number stamped on the underside of the BB reads as follows. 4DN1230. Below this number is a MR with the R circled like a registration trade mark. There is also a 61 stamped on the head lug opposite "Raleigh".
The fork tube is stamped 161 x 363.
Thank you for your continued assistance.
The serial number stamped on the underside of the BB reads as follows. 4DN1230. Below this number is a MR with the R circled like a registration trade mark. There is also a 61 stamped on the head lug opposite "Raleigh".
The fork tube is stamped 161 x 363.
Thank you for your continued assistance.
11-30-20, 06:45 AM
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[QUOTE=Loose cog;21811487] I have learnt so much as I had never seen or heard about the brazed on boss under the down tube for fitting a "flick down stopper". /QUOTE]
"Quickstand" not to be confused with the Rhode gear aftermarket "Flick stand"
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...ighAmerica.pdf
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=30919
"Quickstand" not to be confused with the Rhode gear aftermarket "Flick stand"
https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/catalog...ighAmerica.pdf
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=30919
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