big chainring 

The white one. The Mark 1. The top of the line Raleigh of 1970. You dont see many of these. I've been tracking this one for two years. A friend of a friend found it in an apartment clean out. I made an offer, just looking at photos, but it wasnt taken. It would come up in conversation now and then, and yes I was still interested. Well the deal was closed today. It was the first time I saw the in person. I was going to pay my original offer when I thumbed away some dust at the top tube behind the head lug. Upon further inspection I noticed paint stress cracking behind the lug and also around the lug itself at the transition to the head tube. But there was no telltale blips under the top tube or down tube. This bike had taken a hit, but maybe just a slight one. I offered $100 less pointing out the indecations of damage. Offer accepted!
Some soapy water and a rag, a little degreaser, I went about cleaning and inspecting. I was eyeing the top tube. Took a straight edge and dang, a gap between the straight edge and top tube right at the head lug. Minor but there. I stripped parts off the frame cleaning and inspecting. Then I saw it. The head tube had a little blip between the headlugs. Never saw that before. Bikes typically bend right behind the head lugs with the top and down tubes developing a small scrunching if the tubes. What I call a blip.
Still wanting definitive proof I dropped the fork and ran a finger down the head tube, and yep I could feel the deformation of the tube. Very subtle but its there.
So what to do? Its very slight damage. In 1970 these bikes had fairly relaxed angles. So this one now has a bit steeper head angle.
My intention was to clean the bike up, install new tires and sell it. Frame is a 21 1/2", too small for me. But with frame compromised I'm looking at a lower valuation. Still pondering my options.

juvela

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input from the framebuilders would be helpful here -

bulgie gugie DougFattic

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had the opportunity to borrow one of these for a week in 1972

it was a slightly unsual example in that Worksop had kitted it with a set of MAFAC Tiger brakes

shall look forward to following along

hope you receive some postive news from the experts


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big chainring 

Ah. Here we go. Right in front of the shift lever clamp.

big chainring 

Well, a sad end to a cool 1970 bike. Wall hanger or maybe someone might be interested in it. Damage is minimal really. If it were my size I would definitely ride it. What I do end up with is a full set of Campy NR parts including brakes! Originally came with Weinmanna but previous owner put on Campys. Also this wild GB stem and map of England bars. The micky mouse bell aint bad either.

1simplexnut

Ouch that is a shame !
I feel your pain . Have been there a couple of times over the years .
Out of curiousity what is the serial number ?

big chainring 

E9385
I examined the frame more. The wheelbase measured out to 39". Guessing originally a 40" wheelbase. Its the downtube that shows the most radical bend when I put a straight edge on it. The shift lever clamp acted as a reinforcement and the tube bent just ahead of it. I still ended up with a full Campy NR group, nice wheels, at a bargain price.

T-Mar

The head tube damge is interesting, I don't believe that I have seen that before. Had this been the only damage, I would have just aligned the frame and faced the head tube, to ensure the races were parallel. However, the down tube damage thows a wrench into the works. It's the type of thing that could ride fine for years but fold in half on the next impact

big chainring 

It was like a forensic study taking the bike apart examining the damage. When I took the shift levers off the extent of the damage was clear. Too bad. But still had fun in taking it apart and cleaning. These Mark1's are very different fron the Professionals that would follow. Zeus fork ends are interesting. The lugs are almost crude compared to the Marks that we generally think of when "Raleigh Pro" is thought of. The fork with sloping crown is elegant. Raleigh liked the tapered chainstays which this bike has. Next step is to see if I can resurrect the very weathered Brooks Pro that was on the bike.

Schreck83 

That's a real shame. The paint looks pretty nice otherwise.
I would think that small frames, with short head tubes, are more susceptible to this type of damage, just by virtue of the leverage exerted by the fork against the headset bearings/races.

ascherer 

‘tis a shame. My 1970 is a great ride.

juvela

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interesting to see that it came through with a GB stem/bar set

the example i borrowed (mentioned in earlier post) was fitted with a 3TTT Gran Prix stem/bar set of the late type which took a 7mm allen key


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big chainring 

Update on my Pro. I was perusing the Yellow Jersey website and found some photos of frames they have repaired. I inquired via email about my frame and was quoted a very reasonable price to remove snd replace the headtube, and align the frame. Of course refinishing will cost a wee bit more. But perhaps my steady artist hand could do a repaint. Thinking, thinking......

panzerwagon 

Would they also be replacing the downtube and at least straightening the top tube?

3alarmer 

.
...if this frame is really too small for you, do yourself a favor and don't get sucked into trying to save it.

bikemig 

It's not your size, right? I'd sell it at a discount and let a buyer who actually wants that bike deal with it. This is a cool and unusual bike; someone will want it.

jeirvine 

Any chance the brakes are no-logo 1st gen calipers? That would be something.

repechage

head tube?
needs a downtube for sure and possibly a top tube- I think the strategy would be cut a good portion of the downtube out, remove the stubs, possibly align the head and top tube prior to any other work- my hunch 50/50 an entire front end would be the Repair.
after paint, not economical but an uncommon bike.