frankabr

Found a nice and rare high end Raleigh here in Asheville, Reynolds 531 including forks and stays, Campy drop outs. Team Colors. Bike is marked "RECORD" on the top tube. Serial number WH900XXX dates it to 1979. It was "Worksop built." Components it came with are interesting. Suntour ratchet shifters and front derailleur, Shimano rear. Weinmann 605 brakes. High end Brooks seat. Crank is Raleigh branded SR, and so is the seat post. Original wheels (which I still have) are low flange Atom hubs with NISI sew up rims. I've replaced them with high flange Campy clinchers. The stem was originally SR and the bar was unmarked. I've replaced the stem and bar with rare period GB. This is only the third one of these "French Records" that I've seen posts about. Frame is comparable to Competition GS or even Professional of the period.

3speedslow

I am uninformed but willing to learn, what makes it French ?

Ashville NC ?

frankabr

These were high end bicycles that were primarily sold in Europe, and particularly the French market. The bikes marked "Record" that were designed for the American Market were Raleigh's low end steel bicycles. This is a Worksop made Reynolds 531 frame with Campy dropouts, sew up wheels etc. Sales of this bike in Europe were supposedly slow and some made it over to America for sale. This one has a label from a Massachusetts bike shop. It has been compared to the Competition GS, but without the chromed rear stays. This bike was not in American catalogs. If components were upgraded to Campy Nuovo or Super Record, it would basically be the same as the 78 or 79 team Raleigh. As it is, it would have been a club racer or similar. Weighs 21 lb. Race weight for the period was 23 lb. or less.

clubman 

Got a pic of tubing sticker?

Kactus

Do you mean Worksop ​built?

repechage

I have seen a few of these, the lug work effort to my eyes was equal to a Grand Sport.

CuttersRidge

Back in the day, Raleigh contracted out Motobecane to do some bikes for them. I forget in what category those were. I could probably find that quote again.

frankabr

This was a Worksop Built Raleigh in the Carlton Factory. I worked in a bike shop back in 1978-80 in Gainesville Fla., and was aware of these bicycles. Have collected and owned many old racing bicycles, and this has been one of my main hobbies for years. Presently own a near mint copper colored 73 International, a 71 Grand Sport, a 1982 Trek 630 and many other bicycles. This is NOT a Motebecane, it is a Workshop made Raleigh. ps. the lugwork is high end, with cutout in lug for flow indication. Serial WH900XXXX

Lascauxcaveman 

Workshop. Work-shop. WORKshop.

From that good ol' workshop in the Carton factory, I suppose. And French because of the high-end lug work; maybe?

? ?

frankabr

The "W" at the beginning of the serial number indicates that you are correct! Worksop! England. It was marketed in France. Here are other stickers. ps. the seat stay is similar to the Raleigh Professional of that period.

frankabr

See the British flag? I guess that means it's made in France?

Bikerider007

I have watched this one for a couple weeks or so. Carlton workshop built decal and 531. 1980 Clubman from France (shop decal). Price has not changed but thought it was pretty cool. Maybe someone here may like it. Good details on the ad.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/bik/5511207750.html

Bikerider007

Oh that's what all the fuss was. Haha. Thx wasn't really paying attention. It is fitting though :-)

frankabr

A beauty. Somewhat similar to an early 70's International, but without the braze on rear wire stop for center pull brakes. A good price, particularly if it is your size.

Fidbloke

It's not 'workshop' It's WORKSOP.

It's a town in England - North of Raleigh's home town of Nottingham...

frankabr

Carlton Workshop, Worksop, England, Whatever!

Bikerider007

Is right in my range and if I did not have so many bikes I would work a deal. I don't see a Clubman decal in pics to support but sounds like he knows.

By the way, nice bike you have there!

frankabr

Thanks, Raleigh made some interesting bicycles, some of which were not in the American catalogs. It seems like the one you are looking at fits the bill, kind of a long distance European tour bike. If you decide to keep it, not sure I would keep the center pull brakes as they are kind of spongy. Take care, FA

Kactus

That is really nice, looks like it's in excellent condition. That would be hard to resist if I lived near Tucson!

bikemig 

That's a great bike and in my size; I'd be working a deal if it were local too!

Bikerider007

When it first popped up I thought 1980 Clubman???? And once I read ad I figured it a bit of a rare bird.

@gugie forgot, you are a Raleigh guy. Not sure if you know much on these or just to look.

gugie 

Guys, first things first.

As many others have pointed out, it's Worksop. St. Sheldon sez so, you gonna argue with a legend? Carlton moved to Worksop in the 1930's, Raleigh bought Carlton in the 60's and built all their higher end bikes there. The "W" on the bottom bracket serial numbers is the Worksop identifier.

As for French, @frankabr has nailed it, built for the Continental market.

The parts are hodgepodge of stuff that might have come from nicer bits found in the the Box o' Crap game. More pics!

bikemig 

Definitely more pics.

Bikedued

Same lugs as my silver Comp GS, and Super Sport 12. Interesting.,,,,BD

rhm

Yeah, tell that to autocorrect!