Vintage 74 Raleigh Professional black/silver
09-20-16, 02:12 PM
#1
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Vintage 74 Raleigh Professional black/silver
Hello folks. I am new to this site. Just recently got into vintage road bicycles. I've been on a journey and it's been nothing short of amazing. I started off buying a Schwinn varsity on Craigslist. Converted to a fixie and sold her for s small profit. I did this until I had enough money to buy the frame of my dream bike. A Raleigh professional in mink blue. I found one on eBay and convinced myself it was the one. I lost. I lost the bid and was heartbroken. Then out of no where I found one! But it was silver and black. I had never seen one that color before. After being assured it wasn't a fake or something I purchased it. After some research I found out they only made these for 1 year in black/silver! 74! I only have the frame and fork. I want to piece it back together using original parts. If there are any in the know out there I'd sure could use some help. Like what kind of bottom bracket did they use? Handlebars? Paint color? Thank you. It's in the mail right now so I'll post pics as soon as it arrives!
09-20-16, 02:53 PM
#3
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Here is one in the wild...
74 Raleigh Pro Mk IV ride by L Travers, on Flickr
Be aware that things like the wheels, bar and stem often got changed before delivery. But pretty much if you use Campag Nuovo Record for components, you will be "correct".
74 Raleigh Pro Mk IV ride by L Travers, on FlickrBe aware that things like the wheels, bar and stem often got changed before delivery. But pretty much if you use Campag Nuovo Record for components, you will be "correct".
09-20-16, 03:03 PM
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It won't be correct but I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over using Nitto bar and stem for this build.
OP: you should start a build thread for this with pics of the bike and outline your plans. You'll get lots of feedback and we like looking at pics of bikes as they are built up.
OP: you should start a build thread for this with pics of the bike and outline your plans. You'll get lots of feedback and we like looking at pics of bikes as they are built up.
09-20-16, 03:08 PM
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As noted, use the best parts of that era, and you are pretty much on the right track. Don't forget to mount some nice tubulars too!
As Lynn notes, some tweaks were made at the shops, and some folks would make a few changes themselves (such as Lynn's pedals). Don't be afraid to use clinchers if you aren't interested in the special skills needed to care for tubulars.
So.. how about some photos?? I'm always intrigued by how some frames manage to survive the decades with minimal wear and tear. Of course, sometimes you want to buy a frame with some miles on it, just so you don't feel too bad about the inevitable nicks and scratches that will happen while riding it yourself.
Congrats on the new addition to the stable, and keep us informed on the progress!
Steve in Peoria
As Lynn notes, some tweaks were made at the shops, and some folks would make a few changes themselves (such as Lynn's pedals). Don't be afraid to use clinchers if you aren't interested in the special skills needed to care for tubulars.
So.. how about some photos?? I'm always intrigued by how some frames manage to survive the decades with minimal wear and tear. Of course, sometimes you want to buy a frame with some miles on it, just so you don't feel too bad about the inevitable nicks and scratches that will happen while riding it yourself.
Congrats on the new addition to the stable, and keep us informed on the progress!
Steve in Peoria
09-20-16, 03:12 PM
#6
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Have you decided whether to equip it as originally or to just make it the best riding bike you can? If it were my bike -- and it isn't! -- I would do the latter. A lot of us here on C&V love old bikes and the way they were made, but a lot of us also like to take old frames and equip them with new components or a mix of new and old. There is a thread called retro roadies where we do this. Take a look and see what you think.
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“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
09-20-16, 05:55 PM
#7
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I'm getting excited!
Okay I'm going to post a pic of the pro I just bought and a pic of how I want it to look when I'm finished. I want to restore it to complete original. I have a few questions; what is the best way to go about touching up the paint? Especially the silver. Is there a paint brand or technique that works best? Also I read the 74s had a 170mm crank. What kind of campagnolo bottom bracket did it have? I'm having a great deal of trouble loacating replace my handlebars. These g.b. Maes? 
09-20-16, 05:57 PM
#8
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Okay I'm going to post a pic of the pro I just bought and a pic of how I want it to look when I'm finished. I want to restore it to complete original. I have a few questions; what is the best way to go about touching up the paint? Especially the silver. Is there a paint brand or technique that works best? Also I read the 74s had a 170mm crank. What kind of campagnolo bottom bracket did it have? I'm having a great deal of trouble loacating replace my handlebars. These g.b. Maes?
09-20-16, 06:06 PM
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Not seeing pictures.
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In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
09-20-16, 06:11 PM
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09-20-16, 06:12 PM
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09-20-16, 06:40 PM
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A reputable shop would equip the bike to fit the rider. 170 mm cranks are good for avg height people but if you have a 25 inch or larger frame, it might have come with 175s. This goes for all the equipment such as stem and bar sizes toe-clip length. A Brooks Professional would look pretty nice up there but a leather covered Unicanitor would not be out of place. The pro only came with tubulars as did all top end racing bikes. Some people had a second set of wheels built as clinchers. Clement made a 700x28 clincher at the time.
what do you guys think???
09-20-16, 07:17 PM
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...
...I admire your enthusiasm, but in all honesty, unless you have a complete donor bike or similar collection of components, you can make yourself crazy trying to make one of these "all original", and spend a great deal of money in the process.
Some places you can both save money and improve on the original are in the bar, bottom bracket, and brakes. If you have to have it all original, it will probably take you a while to get it all together. I would urge you to reconsider on the all original tubular wheels and tyres.
My own philosophical approach to something that comes to me as a bare frame is make a few compromises in order to get it rolling, and then see if anything bothers me enough to spend the money to change it out. They are nice riding bikes if fitted well to the rider. Probably about as good as anything contemporary in my experience with stuff.
...I admire your enthusiasm, but in all honesty, unless you have a complete donor bike or similar collection of components, you can make yourself crazy trying to make one of these "all original", and spend a great deal of money in the process.
Some places you can both save money and improve on the original are in the bar, bottom bracket, and brakes. If you have to have it all original, it will probably take you a while to get it all together. I would urge you to reconsider on the all original tubular wheels and tyres.
My own philosophical approach to something that comes to me as a bare frame is make a few compromises in order to get it rolling, and then see if anything bothers me enough to spend the money to change it out. They are nice riding bikes if fitted well to the rider. Probably about as good as anything contemporary in my experience with stuff.
09-20-16, 07:22 PM
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...
...I admire your enthusiasm, but in all honesty, unless you have a complete donor bike or similar collection of components, you can make yourself crazy trying to make one of these "all original", and spend a great deal of money in the process.
Some places you can both save money and improve on the original are in the bar, bottom bracket, and brakes. If you have to have it all original, it will probably take you a while to get it all together. I would urge you to reconsider on the all original tubular wheels and tyres.
My own philosophical approach to something that comes to me as a bare frame is make a few compromises in order to get it rolling, and then see if anything bothers me enough to spend the money to change it out. They are nice riding bikes if fitted well to the rider. Probably about as good as anything contemporary in my experience with stuff.
...I admire your enthusiasm, but in all honesty, unless you have a complete donor bike or similar collection of components, you can make yourself crazy trying to make one of these "all original", and spend a great deal of money in the process.
Some places you can both save money and improve on the original are in the bar, bottom bracket, and brakes. If you have to have it all original, it will probably take you a while to get it all together. I would urge you to reconsider on the all original tubular wheels and tyres.
My own philosophical approach to something that comes to me as a bare frame is make a few compromises in order to get it rolling, and then see if anything bothers me enough to spend the money to change it out. They are nice riding bikes if fitted well to the rider. Probably about as good as anything contemporary in my experience with stuff.
09-20-16, 07:31 PM
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My own philosophical approach to something that comes to me as a bare frame is make a few compromises in order to get it rolling, and then see if anything bothers me enough to spend the money to change it out. They are nice riding bikes if fitted well to the rider. Probably about as good as anything contemporary in my experience with stuff.
09-20-16, 07:57 PM
#19
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Yes I think maybe I'll wait to catch one that's more intact with original parts to do a complete restore. I would however like to restore the frame. Keep the original paint it has and fix the chips. Maybe order a few original stickers. What's a good paint or process
09-20-16, 08:17 PM
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I think this really depends on you and what you want. From your posts, my guess is that compromise isn't going to satisfy your itch, so I'd go slow, savor the build and buy the "right" campy bits as they became available. Depending on your area, it's CL and vintage community, they can be easier to find than you'd think.
I'd probably hew pretty close to the parts spec if I wanted to really get Rosebud.
I have some bikes that are sort of throw togethers...and others that are pretty "correct". They don't ride any better, but they are more fun in other ways. Well, they ride better than most other period correct parts, but others here will fiercely debate that point.
I'd probably hew pretty close to the parts spec if I wanted to really get Rosebud.
I have some bikes that are sort of throw togethers...and others that are pretty "correct". They don't ride any better, but they are more fun in other ways. Well, they ride better than most other period correct parts, but others here will fiercely debate that point.
09-20-16, 08:56 PM
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Current project so far flagged for replacement -
Leather bar tape / Velox plugs
Panaracer PT's
Tubes
Alloy rims / SS Spokes
Cables / Bearings / Cable Clips
Brake Shoes / Housings / Hoods
FD / Shifters
Stem
Pedal Caps
Etc...
09-20-16, 09:05 PM
#22
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Nice frame, I think you need to decide first what you are going to do to the frame. Are you going to keep it as is with that nice patina or refresh it or complete new repaint. Then you can decide what you are going to put on it. If you are going to keep the patina then you probably want to get nice used parts. If you are going to refresh the frame, touch up the bad parts, maybe paint match scratches and scrapes; then newer used parts would look nice. If you are going for a full refresh with new paint, then you are looking at NOS or better looking used parts.
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09-21-16, 09:22 AM
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Well I'm really on the fence about what I want to do. The thing is I have a daily rider already. I have 2 little boys and I had the idea of getting an old frame to restore to original condition with them. Not a get back on the road as soon as possible project. I want to keep the paint as is on the bike and repaint the blemishes. I don't want to erase something original. A question I have is about value. You see these original professionals intact going for 1k-1500k on eBay. If I were to restore it to all original parts, all campy even brooks saddle would it be worth that if I were to sell it?
09-21-16, 09:46 AM
#24
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Well I'm really on the fence about what I want to do. The thing is I have a daily rider already. I have 2 little boys and I had the idea of getting an old frame to restore to original condition with them. Not a get back on the road as soon as possible project. I want to keep the paint as is on the bike and repaint the blemishes. I don't want to erase something original. A question I have is about value. You see these original professionals intact going for 1k-1500k on eBay. If I were to restore it to all original parts, all campy even brooks saddle would it be worth that if I were to sell it?
If you restore one to all original condition and then sell it, you will most likely lose money. It can be done but you'll need to get a great deal on the frame (or have non-original parts on it that are desirable) and then patiently find original parts at good prices.
09-21-16, 09:50 AM
#25
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If you have your heart set on a blue/silver one, hold out until one becomes available. They come up for sale frequently enough, especially since you are in no hurry.
If you restore one to all original condition and then sell it, you will most likely lose money. It can be done but you'll need to get a great deal on the frame (or have non-original parts on it that are desirable) and then patiently find original parts at good prices.
If you restore one to all original condition and then sell it, you will most likely lose money. It can be done but you'll need to get a great deal on the frame (or have non-original parts on it that are desirable) and then patiently find original parts at good prices.