The Hunt for Decals
08-22-13, 01:39 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 1,241
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 176 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
116 Posts
The Hunt for Decals
Decals are often tough to find, especially on bicycles that aren't quite so prominent in production numbers. I am interested in acquiring Raleigh Portage decals but have not had much luck with many of the decal makers frequently mentioned on the site. I have tried Velocals, H Lloyd Cycles, World Cycle Decals and Cyclomondo all with no luck. Can anyone point me in another direction for reproduction Raleigh Portage decals similar to this vintage?
__________________
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
08-22-13, 04:47 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,903
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
22 Posts
Decals are often tough to find, especially on bicycles that aren't quite so prominent in production numbers. I am interested in acquiring Raleigh Portage decals but have not had much luck with many of the decal makers frequently mentioned on the site. I have tried Velocals, H Lloyd Cycles, World Cycle Decals and Cyclomondo all with no luck. Can anyone point me in another direction for reproduction Raleigh Portage decals similar to this vintage?
For example, these are some of the pictures I sent Nick when he made my Carlton Decals.
From those and many more he was able to make this set
08-22-13, 07:17 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,392
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
25 Posts
JR has made custom decals for me at a very reasonable cost. It was a while ago and I don't know if he's still doing it. The best way to find out is to ask him.
08-22-13, 07:23 AM
#4
Senior Member
I asked about 6 months back, when I was in the middle of an unfinished Schwinn single speed project, and was told they no longer do it. But then a couple of months later, RobbieTunes posted his custom Centurion decals. Maybe they do for only a handful of people. I don't know.,,,,BD
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
08-22-13, 09:51 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 1,241
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 176 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
116 Posts
With Velocals, a gal named Christine told me they did not have any plans to make Portage decals now or in the future. She was very cut and dry.
H Lloyd (Nick) told me the Portage was an "export" model Raleigh and one that he had never seen before. "Raleigh issued squillions of decals and it would be totally impossible to cover the lot."
So, yes, I have tried those avenues although I do feel like JR has promise if I can get by Christine.
Anyone else have suggestions?
08-22-13, 10:36 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 1,681
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
JR made a custom set for my Vittorio Strada MAX (possibly a one-off) within the past year...
I think if you can talk to him, and provide clear photos with measurements that he could and would do it.
-Mark in St. Louis
I think if you can talk to him, and provide clear photos with measurements that he could and would do it.
-Mark in St. Louis
Thanks for the follow up everyone. As mentioned above, I have tried Velocals, H Lloyd Cycles, World Cycle Decals and Cyclomondo all with no luck.
With Velocals, a gal named Christine told me they did not have any plans to make Portage decals now or in the future. She was very cut and dry.
H Lloyd (Nick) told me the Portage was an "export" model Raleigh and one that he had never seen before. "Raleigh issued squillions of decals and it would be totally impossible to cover the lot."
So, yes, I have tried those avenues although I do feel like JR has promise if I can get by Christine.
Anyone else have suggestions?
With Velocals, a gal named Christine told me they did not have any plans to make Portage decals now or in the future. She was very cut and dry.
H Lloyd (Nick) told me the Portage was an "export" model Raleigh and one that he had never seen before. "Raleigh issued squillions of decals and it would be totally impossible to cover the lot."
So, yes, I have tried those avenues although I do feel like JR has promise if I can get by Christine.
Anyone else have suggestions?
08-22-13, 10:46 AM
#7
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
08-22-13, 10:50 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 1,940
Bikes: 1986 Raleigh Competition (Restored to Original), 1986 Cannonade SR400 (Updated to Dura Ace 7800)
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I guess the most important thing... what is your reasoning behind an accurate restoration? Are you selling it? Museum piece? Did you REALLY like the look of the decals THAT much?
If none of the above are true... get a bit artistic. Pick what you like, instead of going for original... you may end up with something even better.
I turned a 1981 Raleigh Grand Prix frame, which are a dime a dozen and wouldn't get a second look... into a head turner.
If none of the above are true... get a bit artistic. Pick what you like, instead of going for original... you may end up with something even better.
I turned a 1981 Raleigh Grand Prix frame, which are a dime a dozen and wouldn't get a second look... into a head turner.
08-23-13, 12:55 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 1,241
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 176 Post(s)
Liked 245 Times
in
116 Posts
Well, exciting news.
After posting this thread, I received an upbeat email, out of the blue, from Christine at Velocals. A few weeks back, I had asked if they could use the Velocals Raleigh Grand Prix decal set as a base and create the Portage top tube decal to go with it. Turns out she/they are now open to this idea as long as I provide some basic sizes and lengths for the Portage lettering. This is very good as I was running out of leads!
If/when this deal comes through, I'll update this thread.
Thanks again for the suggestions, everyone.
After posting this thread, I received an upbeat email, out of the blue, from Christine at Velocals. A few weeks back, I had asked if they could use the Velocals Raleigh Grand Prix decal set as a base and create the Portage top tube decal to go with it. Turns out she/they are now open to this idea as long as I provide some basic sizes and lengths for the Portage lettering. This is very good as I was running out of leads!
If/when this deal comes through, I'll update this thread.
Thanks again for the suggestions, everyone.
