Carlton Serial numbers
05-03-22, 01:56 PM
#1
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Bikes: Peugeot (753r frame-1989), Raleigh (Reynolds 653-1991).
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Carlton Serial numbers
Hi All,
I recently bought a Carlton Cobra for £20, which I intend to refurbish. Chap I bought it from said his mum bought it for him when he was thirteen (1984) but the frame looks at least a decade older. It has a serial number on the left rear drop out ‘862775’, no other numbers or lettering anywhere, I have seen pictures in a ‘73’ Carlton catalogue and also a 68/69 catalogue,
but obviously the model was made in other years so I just wondered what could be told by the number: is it a different year to ‘73’? Was it made in Worksop? Is it more a Raleigh than a Carlton? Just curious.
…Also would it be sacrilege to refurb in a different colour; the original, quite frankly, is awful! Many thanks, Gerald.
I recently bought a Carlton Cobra for £20, which I intend to refurbish. Chap I bought it from said his mum bought it for him when he was thirteen (1984) but the frame looks at least a decade older. It has a serial number on the left rear drop out ‘862775’, no other numbers or lettering anywhere, I have seen pictures in a ‘73’ Carlton catalogue and also a 68/69 catalogue,
but obviously the model was made in other years so I just wondered what could be told by the number: is it a different year to ‘73’? Was it made in Worksop? Is it more a Raleigh than a Carlton? Just curious.
…Also would it be sacrilege to refurb in a different colour; the original, quite frankly, is awful! Many thanks, Gerald.
05-03-22, 07:31 PM
#2
feros ferio
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Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
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Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
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Sorry -- I have only one data point (see signature). In the early 1960s, a leading "K" stood for 1962. That's all I have.
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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
05-03-22, 09:23 PM
#3
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Bikes: 1968 Raleigh Super Course, 1972 Raleigh Professional, 1975 Raleigh International, 1978 Raleigh Professional, 1985 Raleigh Prestige, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse Peugeot PX10, 1972 Motobecane Le Champ
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I doubt we’re going to be able to find an exact year with that serial number format but hopefully someone will prove me wrong. Decals and components are not a great way to date a frame but if everything is original, it’s a big if, I believe the 60s versions of the cobra had a similar GB stem to yours but with the brake cable hole drilled through it. I also think Carlton was finished using the blue belt decals by 1973 or so. Late 60s to early 70s is as close as I can guess. Worksop closed in May of 1981 and final production on some models was in Nottingham for a little longer after that. The Cobra is most definitely is not from 1984.
I think your right about the paint being ugly. If it were mine I’d remove the paint and go with the all chrome look. I do think there’s a nice looking bike under that paint.
I think your right about the paint being ugly. If it were mine I’d remove the paint and go with the all chrome look. I do think there’s a nice looking bike under that paint.
Last edited by Pcampeau; 05-03-22 at 09:48 PM.
05-04-22, 04:31 AM
#4
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I have one like that part-refinished. It is 26 TPI. The chrome was very nice, not just condition but pretty good polishing work for a cheap frame.
As for religious issues with a re-spray, would you rather have this:
or this:
As for religious issues with a re-spray, would you rather have this:
or this:
05-04-22, 06:00 AM
#5
Full Member
I have an original 1974 Carlton Professional, the seat tube decals look similar to yours so I suspect the Cobra is around the same period. What equipment does you bike have?
