Tuc

Early 70's Raleigh Professional with full Campy:
Only had a few minutes to look it over yesterday and am going back today armed with the knowledge from searching the forum. The bike has been ridden a lot over the years, the paint is awful and the wheels are not original but everything else seems to be in place. They are asking $375 for it at a second hand shop, I will take some numbers down and some pics to post later. It is a handsome bike in the rough and if the details check out to be the 71 Mark II I think it is, I will probably buy it. Really don't need another bike, especially one that will need a complete strip down and paint to look good but this bike can be ridden right now - everything works and has had recent service/lube....

repechage

Return fast or lose out.

Henry III

That's a bit high for my likings but as long as you feel like you got a good deal then that's all that matters.

puchfinnland

if its is actually all campy, the value in parts alone.

make sure to check if hubs are campy, My purchase the seller failed to mention the gipemmee rear hub and the bloody hole drilled in my Cinelli R1 stem....but then again he also failed to see the campy TI BB,Pedals and deraileur bits!

randyjawa 

It sounds like an incredibly good deal, if it has not already been scooped. That, incidentally, is a very big IF.

As a serious bike hunter, I have learned to carry a cash stash, just in case, and to spot quality and good deals. After inspection, I would have bought the bike in a heart beat, assuming the inspection proved positive.

Tuc

No Campy hubs, definitely replacement wheels, but I will ask if they have the old wheels around (whatever shape the old rims are in, the hubs are probably good). And the price is a little high, but it is at a charity place that I have donated nice household stuff to in the past and the money goes to a decent cause. And they gave me a $50 gift certificate last year which I will never use, I was just about to give it away to someone who could.

FastJake

If the frame is straight and the components that are there are useable, sounds like a win-win. Can't say whether I'd buy it without seeing pictures, but it sounds very worthwhile inspecting and looking it.

Post pictures if you buy it!

Maddox

Brb driving down to Tucson...

Tuc

Don't miss the big bike swap meet on Sunday morning downtown, put on by GABA !

BlueDevil63 

Raleigh Pros, especially older ones, continue to go for big bucks, even in slightly rough shape. So at $375, with the money going to a good cause, and a significant set of Campy parts I don't see how you can lose.

Tuc

The pictures came out lousy, and I think I got confirmation from the numbers that it is a 1972, so I think I will buy it today. All the Campy parts have scratches from use, do you guys think that is significant enough to worry about? Nah, never mind, I am never going to sell the bike anyway and I think it looks ok....

Tuc

Well, I bought it. A closer look show serial number beginning WB4, so that puts it at 1974? As I posted before, the wheel hubs are not Campy, but everything else is. Found out that what I thought was scratched paint was residue from a copious amount of stickers that had been peeled off! It rides well, I like it and I do have a set of early 80's 700 Campy wheels to put on it if I don't find some tomorrow at the swap meet.

All I did was wipe the dust off before the pics, it really is in great shape. No rust, (its Arizona), no dents, everything looks straight the way it is supposed to be.

FastJake

Paint looks amazing! What a score. Most of my bikes are not in that nice of condition, and none of them are pushing 40 years old. Enjoy it.

Tuc

Just took it for a 20 minute spin around the block, and then another quick dash with the Campy tubular rims..... awesome, I see where the reputation for this bike comes from. Quick, light, handles hard turns like a coiled spring.

SteveSGP

DON'T RIDE IT ANYMORE until you grease all the bearings!!!!!!!!

That is an amazing bike, Nice score!!

Tuc

Just got fully serviced / stripped down by somebody who knew more or less what they were doing, but maybe not what they had. Or maybe they did, it was donated to a charity in this condition. Everything is sano, adjusted right, all quiet, smooth. This is going to be a sweet ride to enjoy, not a flip. Thanks to everyone posting on the forum that helped me realize just how unique this bike is, although I think a few of you did not describe adequately how excellent the ride feels. Longer ride tomorrow after the bike swap meet where I can pick up a few things for it like NOS hood covers, bar tape and maybe the right set of wheels for the bike. Not too concerned about the wheels, the early 80's Campy/FIR ones I have look good on it even in the smaller size.

norskagent

look for a brooks pro saddle at the swap meet!

Tuc

I can always use another Brooks saddle, and if the right one is there - will go for it. I prefer the natural leather colors. but I think a black one would look right on it. Another quick ride this evening, seriously - you guys on this forum that have ridden this Raleigh Pro bike? You did not describe it well enough.... I have wasted way too much time on lesser bikes not knowing better.

norskagent

well I see this is an opportunity to post a pic of my '78, for comparison purposes only of course!

Notice the exposed chrome on yours vs paint on mine, and the different seat cluster treatments. Mine has a "stock" campy chainwheel guard!

Tuc

Those are very subtle differences in the 1978 model, and I see the paint on yours looks in excellent shape! You have brazed water bottle screws, the word "Professional" is located in a slightly different spot and like you said - they left off the chrome dropouts and fork ends. I am surprised that Raleigh did not change the paint scheme more over the years between our two models.

norskagent

The paint may look good but look closely at the side of the TT near the seat cluster, there is a small ding there! Still rides nice though -

jet sanchEz

Wow, nice score. What rims are those?

norskagent

which bike? In the pic of mine, I had a temporary different rear wheel, both now match - rims are straight wall regida clinchers. I have to use wire bead tires (pasala touring) and keep the psi less than 90, or they'll pop off the rims.

Tuc

Just got a period correct set of rims in excellent shape at the swap meet. They are tubular 700c Mavic's with Campy Record hubs and Regina gears. Going to clean them up and get them over to the bike shop for them to glue a nice set on for next weekends ride. No luck finding the hood covers tho,.... Over 20 people wanted to buy this Pro today, waving money at me, but there were some nice bikes there including a 1973 Raleigh Team track bike so I hope they found something else instead of mine! I have a B-17 saddle for it, and some serious work cleaning all the old glue from the stickers off of it this afternoon.

Tuc

Just ordered the Brooks Pro seat and bar tape in Honey, and some aftermarket hoods in tan gum - should arrive by the weekend when I get the wheels back from the shop. Can't wait, new post with pics once it all comes in. Pic with later model Campy wheels and the B-17.