Bicyclz

Just found this US made WTB/Raleigh frame & forks in UK!
So I ask here on BF first!




Ebay pics here, not mine. It's got alloy main tubes with steel lugs & ends.
Looks interesting to me anyway: )

freeranger

A good friend of mine had a Raleigh mtn bike with an aluminum/chromoly frame back in the day. I remember it as a nice bike, and it was one he wishes he would have kept. He never had any problems with it--was only ridden on rail-trails.

biker128pedal

Mid eighties to early nineties. Technium series bikes. I had an Obsession like that but blue. Had a lifetime warranty. I went through 5 frames. Still ride the spirit of the old Obsession but none of the parts are original.

Bicyclz

Thanks for the info guys.
Be good to see one built up: )

I start knowing nothing. (Except Raleigh did some of this composite stuff at a certain time on road bikes, etc. here in UK)
That's why I bought it. Looked interesting: )

WTB = cool MTBs at a certain time? That's what I get right now.
I'm a leisurely Tourer myself & I'm unlikely to use it, but this one just stands out to me.

Annoyingly I still haven't actually got it yet!!! Stupid shippers & all that.
But I'll keep updating the project as I can.

Bicyclz

Thanks. Good to have a dateline. Technium makes sense now you say it: )
These are not my 'normal' area, but fascinating anyway.

biker128pedal

Mine is now a Nashbar frame with a Beta Motorcycle sticker on the head tube. Your frame will hold up for the riding you plan. I weigh 200 pounds and pounded mine off road.

Bicyclz

Well, me 6' 1" so it's not for me anyway: )


I finally got my hands on it yesterday.
Had a closer look & took a few pics this morning in daylight...






I was previously thinking it to be early MTB, but this has rack & guard mounts both ends. Some research needed here...
Be nice to see one built up. Looking currently: )

Very pleased with its condition though, paint is excellent with a few minor chips. Couple of minor dinks in the chain-stays. Not sure about the BB though...
Ritchey Logic headset looks good. Frame is 20 1/2" & way too small for me, so it'll be built up for a neice.

I'm interested in its history & I am assuming this is Kent built, &, with the slit D/T cable stops (one broken during transit, shown here above for the eagle eyed: ) dates it from a certain point. 1990/91?

I'm also wondering how a Kent built Raleigh would have a WTB Head Tube decal?
Could they (WTB) just buy the frames from Kent & add their own Monicker, particular parts, etc.?

Whatever, I think it's a suitable case for treatment!

himespau 

Interesting design.

Squeeze

If it helps any, here's mine. I realize this isn't the best picture for seeing frame detail, but it's the best one I have online at the moment.

I think this is a 1993 or 1994, based on internet searches when I bought it five or six years ago.

I would like to find an all-steel frame such as a Trek 930/950, Rockhopper/Stumpjumper, or similar and keep the best parts from this build but I haven't found one I like in my size after literally years of watching craigslist.

biker128pedal

Mountain bikes back then had means for racks and finders. I ran Rhodes gear rack with removable child seat. Wish my frame now had the mounts. Your purple frame was a higher end bike. Head decals can be changed.

Um. Internal cables. A good clue.

Bicyclz

That's very neat! First one I've seen built up.
Mines looking to be April 1989 from the SN, so yours is one of the last of the series I guess.
Are the forks original?

Bicyclz

Points taken: )
Well, I've never had a modern MTB, let alone an early one! But I know it's a good quality item, unusual & very interesting: )

The SN is now exposed, R810990045, which I believe translates as April 20th? (109th day) 1989.
(Thanks T-Mar for the key: )
0045 being the actual sequential frame number. That looks quite early.

My current theory is that it's the 6061 T8 Aluminum, (as opposed to the Easton tubing) with the CrMo stays & forks.
As with the Obsession & Heat frames. But, this one has these braze-ons for racks that I've not seen on other standard Raleigh examples.

The WTB head decal may not be original, but there is no evidence of another badge/decal (Raleigh?) under it...

A guess might be that early on in the production of these frames, some were sold to smaller retailers with their own detailed build specs?
And put their own 'Stamp' on it? Common practice at that time here in UK.
Pure speculation that one: )

I'm still wondering how it arrived in UK?

Bicyclz

Here is the quite ornate rear rack fixing. I've not seen it on the standard Raleigh models. Was it an extra maybe?





Serial Number is clear. Day 109 (19)89.

The head decal looks??
As per the photo! Does look a little basic...
Right now I only know what I see: )

biker128pedal

Head decal looks original or someone did a good job and went to a lot of trouble. Raleigh marking was an emblem and not a decal on mine. But yours is olders.

Bicyclz

It is still fascinating me. Those WTB decals look to be very well done to me also: )
But, no decals on the bare aluminum tubes make me wonder!?

Learnt a little along the way, and today I took some pics of it in its current rebuild state.
I'm intending a low maintenance, useful, town bike for a small adult/larger child.

Spent a good part of my Xmas holiday dealing with this...



Plan is proceeding as above, with Nexus 7 speed rear hub, twist grip changer, with rack, guards/fenders. Check the front double mounts!! Front rack option is a very cool extra, isn't it?: )
Waiting for new brake pads here, plus a chain tensioner that doesn't interfere with the chain: ) Look closely... Potential problem there.
All good fun though!

I also used an Ahead converter to use the stem & bars I already had, shown above. Also using V brakes, rather than the original cantis.
Looks like a (potentially) very cool, usable, vintage bike to me: )



Could be problem here...
To be overcome: )

Bicyclz

That yellow Shimano non-turn washer was not the best.
But this black one is more like it!
Doesn't even need a chain tensioner to get good tension, amazingly: )
Using a 38 tooth chain-wheel & 21 tooth rear cog.
Serendipity?

I'm still puzzling over the WTB connection. If there is one: )

qclabrat

Nice work, the WTB decal looks like it's aftermarket. Is the Raleigh a decal or painted or clear coated over?
Also get some clips for the shift cable and it will clean up nicely...

Bicyclz

The Raleigh decals on the downtube are just 'stick-ons'. The LH side not even aligned properly.
Then the WTB head decal is just that. A decal.
Nothing on the alloy tubes either... Why would anyone do that??
Which is what puzzles me more than a little: )

A very cool frame otherwise though. I'm not complaining, just curious.
One of my neices will love it, I'm sure.

Bicyclz

Point taken: )
So, here's a pic of it ready for the road, taken 10 mins ago, with new brake pads & the shift cable looking neater!

Weighs 30.8lbs as seen, so the heavy Nexus hub isn't too much I think. I removed the redundant Roller Brake, which saved a little.
Saddle will be replaced, along with the seat-post sometime soon, & I'd love to find a suitable front rack for it.
Got some guards/fenders not yet fitted. Pedals also will be replaced with more suitable items. (These were borrowed off my Raleigh Merlin: )


I found some nail varnish that closely matches the reddy Ultramarine paint to fix/disguise the small visible chips.
The original paint finish is excellent quality, & lasted well for a 30 year old: )

Meanwhile it can be ridden: )

Bicyclz

Tried to reply to my own thread & cannot do it.
But BF is not doing what it should.
Something wrong here...

Bicyclz

I give up with BF.
Admin kindly delete my account.
The virus is infecting everthing it seems.