Fairlane63

Well I check her out tomorrow on my lunch break. Look forward to it and will keep everyone posted.

Read about the SF Peninsula monthly rides. Need to make it one of these times!

Bad Lag

I may just call the seller and snatch it up before you get there at lunchtime tomorrow.

spudly

Is the headbadge correct? No expert here, but it looks like a 50's or earlier 60's badge sans the red/black highlights common later.

Millstone

I'm on the other side of the ocean but even I want to know how this all ends

Good luck!

roadcrankr

I noticed that, as well. The rivets look unaltered, so likely just eroded away over time.
Also looking closely, one can tell this Pro spent some time on the road.
He either took very good care of the components or replaced a few pieces along the way.
For example, those Nuovo Record brakesets are known for rusty bits.
And the underside of that cable guide shows its age. I'm tempted to send our buyer here a new one.

Fairlane63

If I am not mistaken there should be a date on top of the rear NR derailleur. In this case a 72 or perhaps a 71? Roadcrankr appreciate the generous offer.
Going to see her later today..

Fairlane63

Well for the record she is in my car. Paid less than asking by a little bit. Really overall she's nice!
Numbers check out on the pedals and the 72 date on the Nuovo Record told me she's all original or very close.
Will do a proper thread when I can get her home,
thanks for the help and encouragement, I think.

Waiting to ride again.

New Vittoria tires thrown in the deal.

3alarmer 

.
...I have a couple of these Raleigh Professional bikes, but I had to repaint mine. My own feeling is that, if good cosmetics are important to you, that a nicely preserved example is worth quite a bit in whatever you pay as a premium. They are nice riding frames, and if you are (unlike me) willing to deal with tubular tires, I think you will enjoy riding this bicycle.

Millstone

Congrats!

Schreck83 

Good news; congratulations! Those Haden lugs are distinctive and really add to the desirability of your bike. Is it the 24” size? With a high bottom bracket, these frames look larger than they really are.

Fairlane63

Well I have not measured the frame yet officially. I am 6'2 and standing over the frame the top bar touches the bottom of the crotch like it should so I feel its going to fit well. Sized my other bikes over the years that way and its worked out fine.
All the original parts are there and in good shape. Will clean up nicely I think.
Now just got to deal with tubular tires after many years..

A few night time snaps..












Will order some brake hoods this weekend for starters.

bikingshearer 

Great score. Enough battle scars to show it has been used as intended, in more than good enough shape to be a real head turner. Well played. I look forward to the ride report.

cyclophilia 

Congratulations!

I especially enjoy your photograph of the newly acquired bicycle in the back of your car.

👍

bikemike73 

GREAT SCORE !!!

Like all have said....these bikes do not come up for sale often !

LOVE the color !!!!

Will clean up nicely !!

Cassette and chainrings look to be in VERY GOOD shape !!!!

Enjoy and congrats again !!!

Go 49ers !!!!!!!!

Fairlane63

Thanks everyone! Got the wheels off yesterday and tires and started doing some cleaning.
On the stand I ran through the gears and it works very smoothly. Still adjusted good.
Rims are true for the most part, they could use a little attention.
Only thing I am intimidated by is the tubes. I have stretched the new tires and have them on the rims in the meantime stretching more. Man its been a long time since I messed with them, got some Vittoria glue and brushes and watching YouTube videos.
Has anyone here used the tape I see on the market that did not exist back in the day? My racing days are over and now I enjoy riding for exercise, nostalgia and fun. Would not consider tape if that was the case. But is tape a good option here possibly?
Don't want to be a sissie though.

3alarmer 

...yes the tape is easier to apply and use. There are many people using tubular tires who swear it makes the experience more pleasant. Were I to go back to using tubular tires, the mounting tape is what I would use.

roadcrankr

Please keep in mind that those Vittoria Rally tubulars exist at the bottom end of the spectrum.
These do not feel as rewarding as, say, something like Veloflex models with latex tubes.
And often provide some lumpiness when fully inflated. Personally, I would only use Rally's as a spare.
The non-period-correct six-speed freewheel likely means somebody spread the rear from 120mm to 126mm.
Hopefully they did a good job of it. My inclination would be to return it to 120 and a 5sp cluster, but no idea if that's do-able.

bikemike73 

I used the tape on my 1976 Colnago Super.

While I have not ridden it much, my friend who raced professionally and a bike shop owner /mechanic , said tape is the way to go.

He helped me install them.

It took the both of us
Just take your time.
Have patience

3alarmer 

...I'm not smart enough to tell just from the pictures here, but there were six speed freewheels at the time that used a narrower spacing, and would fit in a 120mm frame setup. Ultra something, and they used a narrower ultra something chain, not unlike the 6-8 speed chains available now. I had one lying around when I put together my Holdsworth Pro. Turns out it's a little harder for me to hit whatever cog I'm hoping for, because of the narrower spacing. But it works OK. If I ever get around to it, I might go back to five on that bike.

SwimmerMike 

Great looking bike. Hope to see it on Saturday for the Peninsula ride.

Slowride79

Beautiful bike. Congratulations! From the nighttime pics the “red” rings where there was gold lining is clearly reflective tape. I would gently heat with a hair dryer/heat gun , look for an end and carefully try remove by hand. If you’re lucky the paint will be unharmed. Lighter fluid on q-tips to remove residue. Thankfully it is not red paint after all.

Fairlane63

According to this site the 72 came with a six-speed freewheel. The free wheel is the only part that is not original to the bike I think Is an NOS freewheel unobtanioum?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retrora...fessional.html

Prowler 

I have a Suntour ultra 6 (14 to 28) FW on my ‘76 Pro. Original Campy NR RD and FD and 9 spd chain. It all works just beautifully. But I’m just tootling for cardio. Not racing nor pace lining. JRA. I don’t worry about having “factory spec” wear items let alone “factory spec” anything from Raleigh. They didn’t.

I have enough spare parts to keep that FW going longer than I can go so no worries about NOS. Check out bike co-ops etc.

Fredo76

sew-ups made easy!

Tape is the way to go, imo. You don't even need to be able to read French; you can just look at the pictures!

Jantex is my preference.

Congratulations!

Fairlane63

Thats hilarious Fredo.

Well I decided to do it the old fashion way this time. Got the backs of the new tires glued up and the rims cleaned up, now just to to glue them, maybe tonight.
Other than that she is ready for a preliminary ride to see what else I will do maintenance wise etc.
Front rim could use a little truing but I will probably have a local shop do that. Very reasonable and that takes some experience I am out of practice at.