Incorrect Raleigh Technium “obsession”serial number by 8-9 years?
 

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ffb9aa0b8.jpeg
Seat stays on this bike don’t match Obsession.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a9737332a.jpeg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b8e99804d.jpeg
These are the seat stays of the obsession

The sticker on this Raleigh Technium says it is an Obsession. It is not— I have only seen one bike (here on bikeforums!) that matched it, and that bike was a Raleigh Technium Ovation owned by user Rawly Old.

The Ovation, as far as I have been able to figure out, was only made in 1989. There is no Raleigh catalog available (at least that I’ve found) that has an Ovation in it. The components are very different that the other techniums, but I don’t know how much this bike has been messed with.

So the serial number seems totally messed up and has it being made in 1981. Am I reading that wrong? That was 3 years before they began producing Techniums. Also interesting is the bike does not say Raleigh USA, although there is a made in the USA/patent info sticker on it.

it still has the oval chainrings the other models have, but instead of biopace it has SR Ovaltech, a competitor!

Any thoughts? And why would it be labeled an Obsession when it clearly was not?

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2457e706.jpeg
Photo of badging
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dfc6e9dc4.jpeg
Here is the only place on the bike that has a model name: Obsession

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5ef0326f1.jpeg


A few more photos

I believe your serial number is correct for a Technium made in 1988. I'll need to verify my references for that. Here are some pics of my '88 Technium Ovation frameset, if that helps.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8827147706.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1fe21d04af.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...587b2b322c.jpg

that is EXACTLY the same frame! Oh wait! My forks are straighter. And weirdly your decals are slightly different, too.

Thank you. It’s such a mystery how that got labeled as an Obsession. I would be curious about the date— I was following T-mar’s info in the “Show me your Technium” thread.

I got the bike for parts. Originally I thought it was a Chill because the 89 Chill was the only one with those decals and the photos were so bad I couldn’t see the seat stays well. After I paid my $50, I noticed them and then spent hours trying to figure out what it could be. Went to get it today and it got even more confusing, and none of the parts are what I thought.

It’s kinda what makes this all interesting, though, isn’t it?

The serial naumber indcates day 100 of 1989, which seems correct.

oh dang T-Mar, I’m sorry! I read your original post wrong. I didn’t see that they slipped in another Y after the 3 D’s. Thanks. I wish they all dated them like expiration dates.

Thanks again for the correction, Tom. I notice that the OPs frame doesn't appear to have the hidden top tube cable either.

I have this 1988 Technium Ovation that looks like it was just bought new from the bike shop. Do these have much value to collectors/enthusiasts, or if I
want to make changes is it not a biggie. Thanks

They don't bring a lot of money due to the possibility of the epoxy failing where the aluminum tubes are bonded to the steel.

Personally, I would not take that bike off-road. I'd stick to bike paths.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...stick-pig.html

Thanks, if I sell I will pass on the safety issue. Of course nothing a little duct tape won't fix :)