1969 Raleigh Pro Mk 1
#1
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1969 Raleigh Pro Mk 1
I've gotten the Raleigh Pro Mk 1 that my brother found at a neighborhood estate sale back into an operational state and thought I would share a few pictures
It has the pretty Anniversary Headbadge
And a similar graphic was originally on the seat tube - unfortunately, not much remains of any of the decals.
I suspect that most of the components are original. The front derailleur is the type that lacks the circlip to retain the mechanism
The rear derailleur is marked "Pat" but has no indication of year. You'd expect a 52 year old Nuovo Record to have cracked idler pulleys but, surprise, both were intact. Maybe they were replaced more recently?
The housing stop on the seat stays is different and more crude than the round section stop on my other Carlton-built bikes. You'd expect an item like this on a dept. store bike.
I believe the saddle to be original as well. It was really, really dry but after about 10 applications of Proofide it is regaining some flexibility. The Reynolds decal is pretty much gone, but the striping on the seat stay caps has held up pretty well - I think it is paint rather than a decal.
The craftsmanship on this bike is the worst of any of my Raleighs. Several of the "tiddly bits" are so far out of position it would be hard to argue that the bike wasn't built after a pub lunch with a pint too many. The ride, on the other hand, is marvelous! Picture yourself on a Super Course that weighs only 23.3 pounds. It's also my first time on a bike with tubulars for over 20 years - the liveliness of the tires was immediately noticed, despite the tires being the cheap 3/$50 ones from Yellow Jersey.
As you can see from the amount of seat post showing, the frame is too big for me. But I was able get the seat low enough to find a comfortable position on the bike, I just can't stand flat-footed on both feet without, ahem, squealing.
If anyone would like to see a picture of a particular detail, let me know
It has the pretty Anniversary Headbadge
And a similar graphic was originally on the seat tube - unfortunately, not much remains of any of the decals.
I suspect that most of the components are original. The front derailleur is the type that lacks the circlip to retain the mechanism
The rear derailleur is marked "Pat" but has no indication of year. You'd expect a 52 year old Nuovo Record to have cracked idler pulleys but, surprise, both were intact. Maybe they were replaced more recently?
The housing stop on the seat stays is different and more crude than the round section stop on my other Carlton-built bikes. You'd expect an item like this on a dept. store bike.
I believe the saddle to be original as well. It was really, really dry but after about 10 applications of Proofide it is regaining some flexibility. The Reynolds decal is pretty much gone, but the striping on the seat stay caps has held up pretty well - I think it is paint rather than a decal.
The craftsmanship on this bike is the worst of any of my Raleighs. Several of the "tiddly bits" are so far out of position it would be hard to argue that the bike wasn't built after a pub lunch with a pint too many. The ride, on the other hand, is marvelous! Picture yourself on a Super Course that weighs only 23.3 pounds. It's also my first time on a bike with tubulars for over 20 years - the liveliness of the tires was immediately noticed, despite the tires being the cheap 3/$50 ones from Yellow Jersey.
As you can see from the amount of seat post showing, the frame is too big for me. But I was able get the seat low enough to find a comfortable position on the bike, I just can't stand flat-footed on both feet without, ahem, squealing.
If anyone would like to see a picture of a particular detail, let me know
Last edited by daka; 05-07-21 at 09:36 AM.
#2
Friendship is Magic
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...if you are interested in doing so, all the decals are available (but in vinyl, not the original waterslides), from H Lloyd in England. I know only because I repainted one of these bikes a couple of years ago.
#3
Senior Member
Some interesting history on the Professional Mark 1.
https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...h-raleigh.html
https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...h-raleigh.html
#4
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That's a great article! Peter Kohler puts a lot of effort and expertise into his blog.
#5
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You did a nice job cleaning it up, @daka! Still calling dibs if you decide it's too big
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#6
South Carolina Ed
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From the pics the bike looks fantastic. "Jolly good show!"
#7
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As someone who has bought a number of things off of Craigslist, I'm confident in saying that items always look better in the pictures than they do in reality. This bike is no exception. There are numerous little touch-ups that aren't visible until you get up closer.
#8
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Some interesting history on the Professional Mark 1.
https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...h-raleigh.html
https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/20...h-raleigh.html
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The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
#9
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I didn't look as closely as you obviously have, but the one thing that jumps out at me is the attachment of the rear brake-cable stop.
Good to hear it rides nicely.
Good to hear it rides nicely.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
#10
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Thread Starter
The nubbin to prevent the shift levers slipping down is brazed well off-center
And this housing stop for the rear derailleur is rotated out of the correct orientation such that the cable heads first for the spokes, then back towards the derailleur.
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#11
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The shifter clamp stop on one of mine is a degree or two off, but that one really wins the two-pint Friday prize!
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#12
feros ferio
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...
The housing stop on the seat stays is different and more crude than the round section stop on my other Carlton-built bikes. You'd expect an item like this on a dept. store bike.
...
The craftsmanship on this bike is the worst of any of my Raleighs. Several of the "tiddly bits" are so far out of position it would be hard to argue that the bike wasn't built after a pub lunch with a pint too many. The ride, on the other hand, is marvelous! .
...
The housing stop on the seat stays is different and more crude than the round section stop on my other Carlton-built bikes. You'd expect an item like this on a dept. store bike.
...
The craftsmanship on this bike is the worst of any of my Raleighs. Several of the "tiddly bits" are so far out of position it would be hard to argue that the bike wasn't built after a pub lunch with a pint too many. The ride, on the other hand, is marvelous! .
...
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
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Being white, a repaint could much more easily be in the cards and yes I know there are a zillion shades of white, still not that hard to figure out.
Strip it down, ship it off to gugie, Mr. Fattic, Jack @ Franklin frame, Jeffery Bock, Dave Levy @ TiCycles or any one of the builders to have all the wonky brazing fixed then back home for a rattle can or? utility paint job, new stickers and away you go.
Or just leave as is and ride the damn thing.
Strip it down, ship it off to gugie, Mr. Fattic, Jack @ Franklin frame, Jeffery Bock, Dave Levy @ TiCycles or any one of the builders to have all the wonky brazing fixed then back home for a rattle can or? utility paint job, new stickers and away you go.
Or just leave as is and ride the damn thing.
#14
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Thread Starter
That's the plan for now - I took it out for a couple hours yesterday and really did enjoy myself. Despite its flaws, the bike has a touch of magic in the way it rides.
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#15
Senior Member
Consider that you have a racing bike. Racers could care less how lovely the cable stops are. Collector bikes worry about those things.
I have no idea whether what I just said is true. It would be the story I’d tell myself. Beautiful bike. Ride and enjoy.
I have no idea whether what I just said is true. It would be the story I’d tell myself. Beautiful bike. Ride and enjoy.
#16
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Mine is set up quite differently but I find when I dig in and push it, the feedback says: "I've got this." Very confident handling at speed and when cornering.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport