Raleigh dilemma: Professional or parts?
08-02-23, 04:37 PM
#1
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Thread Starter
Raleigh dilemma: Professional or parts?
One of my customers comes into the shop to pick up his Santa Cruz and we get to talking; he says his Dad has an old Raleigh he wants to get rid of. Something like this happens a couple of times a year, usually a Grand Prix or Sports, although once I got a Super Course out of the deal. I tell him to send Dad around. Two days later Dad shows up with the Bike:
Raleigh Professional
No Doubt
Full on Campy
He had the catalog he ordered it out of.
He asking price was so low I had to refrain from shouting 'shut up and take my money!'
Now the dilemma: he described the mods he'd had done to the bike. He had bottle cage and shifter braze-ons installed, top tube cable guides as well, and had the bike repainted. As far as I'm concerned, that killed any collector value. It's also a size and a half too big for me.
BUT
The wheelset and bottom bracket would make my Mirella full-on Campy. The brakes and pedals would make my Gitane Super Corsa full-on Campy. Would I be justified in swapping out these parts before I moved the bike on to it's next owner?
Top
Raleigh Professional
No Doubt
Full on Campy
He had the catalog he ordered it out of.
He asking price was so low I had to refrain from shouting 'shut up and take my money!'
Now the dilemma: he described the mods he'd had done to the bike. He had bottle cage and shifter braze-ons installed, top tube cable guides as well, and had the bike repainted. As far as I'm concerned, that killed any collector value. It's also a size and a half too big for me.
BUT
The wheelset and bottom bracket would make my Mirella full-on Campy. The brakes and pedals would make my Gitane Super Corsa full-on Campy. Would I be justified in swapping out these parts before I moved the bike on to it's next owner?
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
Likes For top506:
08-02-23, 04:41 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
Yes. If this bike were completely original, this might be a tougher call.
I'm glad you're in the NE and I'm not. That bike is my size.
I'm glad you're in the NE and I'm not. That bike is my size.
Likes For bikemig:
08-02-23, 04:50 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,467
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 801 Post(s)
Liked 754 Times
in
411 Posts
There are a million raleighs out there and it's already not collector-grade, embrace the chaos of the universe and rescue the bike's components to be properly enjoyed being ridden on the road.
08-02-23, 04:53 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,452
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 878 Post(s)
Liked 2,296 Times
in
1,283 Posts
First off , it is your bike to do with what you please. If it were me , I would take the parts you need for your other bikes and move it along. As you stated , it is not an original untouched bike so no guilt . The frame and fork may be of some value to someone to build up as they see fit , or change the parts and put the parts that you took off your other bikes on this one and sell as a decent rider. I have a friend who got one of these that was all original , a real beauty in Mink Blue . The paint was very nice and I thought he would ride it because it was his size. The next time I saw it , a couple weeks later, it was a frame and fork and the parts were sold off separately. The bike netted a healthy return for him but it was hard for me to understand…..but it was his bike and he is a bike flipper and he knows how to make money as a side line .
08-02-23, 04:53 PM
#5
Senior Member
"collector value" matters more on the very high end of the market. Most people willing to shed money on a bike like this are more into riding it rather than displaying it. Having said that a lot of these are worth as much either complete or parted out.
Your bike, your choice.
Your bike, your choice.
08-02-23, 04:59 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,997 Posts
Superleggero seat post, stylin’. As originally specified.
Bike presents well but not a reasonable candidate for a full on restoration.
swap as needed and keep in mind, parting it out will max return on investment.
Bike presents well but not a reasonable candidate for a full on restoration.
swap as needed and keep in mind, parting it out will max return on investment.
Likes For repechage:
08-02-23, 05:20 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 936
Bikes: 1968 Raleigh Super Course, 1972 Raleigh Professional, 1975 Raleigh International, 1978 Raleigh Professional, 1985 Raleigh Prestige, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse Peugeot PX10, 1972 Motobecane Le Champ
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 323 Post(s)
Liked 690 Times
in
351 Posts
No question, I’d part this. I consider anything originally equipped with 70s Campagnolo Nuovo Record as a candidate for parting out. Those parts are not rare, expensive maybe, but anyone that wants to restore this bike will not have trouble finding the pieces they need so long as they are reasonably patient and willing to put some money into it. This bike isn’t original now and never again could be.
08-02-23, 05:49 PM
#8
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
I wound up with a Pro frameset in my size because a buddy of mine got a terrific deal on the bike and sold off the Campy stuff. I would never have done that to a bike in good stock condition but have benefited by what he did.
Likes For thumpism:
08-02-23, 05:49 PM
#9
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,799
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1393 Post(s)
Liked 1,329 Times
in
837 Posts
Did Raleigh spec. center-to-top or center-to-center? One reason I like my Bianchi, Capos, and Carlton is that all five frames are 55cm = 21.5" C-T.
__________________
"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
08-02-23, 06:07 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,271
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3814 Post(s)
Liked 3,345 Times
in
2,182 Posts
-----
c-t-t
offered in one inch increments on the half inch for models GS and above; models SC and below offered in fewer sizes
-----
c-t-t
offered in one inch increments on the half inch for models GS and above; models SC and below offered in fewer sizes
-----
Last edited by juvela; 08-02-23 at 06:12 PM. Reason: addition
Likes For juvela:
08-02-23, 06:12 PM
#11
Thread derailleur
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Glendora, CA
Posts: 645
Bikes: Merlin Extralight '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 367 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
264 Posts
Cool Raleigh with loads of patina. Too much patina, in my estimation.
Parting it out will net you the most money, but don't expect to get rich.
Ironically, I own a '73 Pro and a '71 Super Corsa. I put Nuovo Record brakes on my Gitane in '71.
Hopefully, the rusty brakeset will match the rest of your Gitane's condition.
In my mind, a hardcore collector would love that frameset. The wheels look nice.
Parting it out will net you the most money, but don't expect to get rich.
Ironically, I own a '73 Pro and a '71 Super Corsa. I put Nuovo Record brakes on my Gitane in '71.
Hopefully, the rusty brakeset will match the rest of your Gitane's condition.
In my mind, a hardcore collector would love that frameset. The wheels look nice.
08-02-23, 07:21 PM
#12
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Massive patina and it was setup as a fixie when I got it. Take what you can and ride em if you want. This one tows music equipment!
Likes For 52telecaster:
08-02-23, 08:39 PM
#13
The Huffmeister
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,741
Bikes: '79 Trek 938, '86 Jim Merz Allez SE, '90 Miyata 1000, '68 PX-10, '80 PXN-10, '73 Super Course, '87 Guerciotti, '83 Trek 600, '80 Huffy Le Grande
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1227 Post(s)
Liked 3,561 Times
in
1,412 Posts
Just my size! It's a shame that I like bikes that are much less special than this one
__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
08-02-23, 09:23 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,847
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2338 Post(s)
Liked 2,827 Times
in
1,543 Posts
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Likes For squirtdad:
08-03-23, 09:11 AM
#16
Senior Member
My thinking -
Maybe it has been modified and is not in "collector condition". Then again, what was done was done correctly.
The additional braze-ons improved the bike. The paint job is really well done. That it still has a complete Campagnolo groupo is a really good thing.
As it is, that is one classy bicycle. Leave it alone. Ride it. Enjoy it. Or sell it to someone who will. Do not rip it apart.
Maybe it has been modified and is not in "collector condition". Then again, what was done was done correctly.
The additional braze-ons improved the bike. The paint job is really well done. That it still has a complete Campagnolo groupo is a really good thing.
As it is, that is one classy bicycle. Leave it alone. Ride it. Enjoy it. Or sell it to someone who will. Do not rip it apart.
Likes For Bad Lag:
