You may recall I was having an old Raleigh frame refinished by Bob Jackson in the UK.

Not the best frame in the world but I feel a bit nostalgic about it as it was the first decent frame/bike I owned, bought back in 1986.

When my mum died I had my brother fish it out of her garage and send it of to Jacko's. After much e-mailing this is the end result, sent out to me in New Zealand. I'm having her built up with some NOS C-Record this week.

Hope you like. Sadly the photo's don't do the metallic black or italian pearl much justice, but at least you get the idea - she was previously just plain white and yellow, no chrome etc.

DannyBoy.

love it. great color scheme. certainly worthy of NOS c-rec. has nice sentimental value-enjoy.

Dannyboy, that is one of the nicest paint schemes I have ever seen..... breathtaking... I can't wait to see her built....

Very very noice! I would be proud to have it in my garage. And what luck to find NOS C-Record!

And, you'll have the pleasure of people riding up to you appreciate it...

gorgeous! keep us upadated on the build! Enjoy!

That is a pretty bike--have fun restoring and riding it..

Is it a Carlton? And does the script on the downtube resemble the original? I'm asking because I haven't seen that style font on any British made Raleigh's that have made it to the United States.

It's a real sweetheart, but you already knew that......

No, it's not a Carlton. It's a run of the mill Raleigh built in the UK, bought of the peg in 1986, for about GBP 125 or so. I had Ultegra/600 on it.

The decal isn't period correct. I got it from H Lloyd in Penrith, it's either 50/60's. It is an original Raleigh decal though. I just liked it. I still think the overall look is from the period.

Here's a snap of a fellow retro message boarders bike that was the inspiration for the chrome, head tube colour contrast and colour bands.

DannyBoy.

I've said it before: the Euro's get all the nice gear! :(

Gorgeous, I really like the paint and the Raleigh script- nice job, happy riding!

Is it a Carlton? And does the script on the downtube resemble the original? I'm asking because I haven't seen that style font on any British made Raleigh's that have made it to the United States.

It's a real sweetheart, but you already knew that......

I have an extra Raleigh Carlton lying in my basement if anyone is interested- it is probably a 60ish frame (with about a 57-58 TT) and a very stuck seatpost. Paint is mostly oxidized... nice Reynolds 531 tubes. Fork is trashed unless you can reshape it... It is from an abandoned project and I'm not looking for any money out of the deal. Did I mention the stuck seatpost? Scratched but not dented.

I would be tempted if I didn't have two project bikes going right now. Where was this offer a month ago before I spent good money? Anybody wanna buy a '96 Softride Solo?

Bob Jackson did a beautiful job and your choice of paint scheme is tremendous. A buddy of mine had a Botte similar to your model bike back in the '70's. I always lusted after that bike. He might still have it, hmmm, a third project? Another reason I like your frame is the paint scheme is similar to a 2002 Raleigh Professional which I coincidentally built up last winter and is now my main ride.

..Scratched but not dented.

Shaken, not stirred. :D Wish I had the time/money to take it on right now.


Mel -

Great frame those newer Pro's are, hmm?

Another reason I like your frame is the paint scheme is similar to a 2002 Raleigh Professional which I coincidentally built up last winter and is now my main ride.

Too bad they don't make them anymore. It's a nice looking and riding frame. I built it with a mix of 10spd Record/Chorus (with Cannondale brakes thrown in because I liked how they looked and the price was right).

Bob Jackson did a beautiful job and your choice of paint scheme is tremendous. A buddy of mine had a Botte similar to your model bike back in the '70's. I always lusted after that bike. He might still have it, hmmm, a third project? Another reason I like your frame is the paint scheme is similar to a 2002 Raleigh Professional which I coincidentally built up last winter and is now my main ride.
Lets have a look..................

Lets have a look..................
2002 Raleigh Professional

Here's my 2003 version:
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I notice it's got yellow accent striping and mine has blue. Makes me think my next bar tape should be blue or maybe blue/black diamond wrap. What size is the frame? Mines a 59. Did you build it or buy it as a package? I also like the seat, just seems to scream Raleigh. Wish I could ride one but I just can't get comfortable and believe me, I've tried. Old school WTB for me all the way. Why mess with what works? I had a black Selcof post until a few days ago. Switched to a ti Syncros because the Selcof had too much setback. And that FSA crank goes really well.

That first Raleigh has to be one the sweetest paint jobs I have ever seen! I do some pinstriping as hobby and can see how much work went into that.

Very nice dood!

I notice it's got yellow accent striping and mine has blue. Makes me think my next bar tape should be blue or maybe blue/black diamond wrap. What size is the frame? Mines a 59. Did you build it or buy it as a package? I also like the seat, just seems to scream Raleigh. Wish I could ride one but I just can't get comfortable and believe me, I've tried. Old school WTB for me all the way. Why mess with what works? I had a black Selcof post until a few days ago. Switched to a ti Syncros because the Selcof had too much setback. And that FSA crank goes really well.


Hey Mel -

Yep, the '02 had blue accents, the '03 had yellow. The only other difference I know about the two model years is the seat post clamp is built-in on yours, mine's separate, and the Link fork legs changed shape a little. But otherwise '02 & '03 were identical.

This one is a 56, and I bought it frame/fork/HS as-new off eBay last Aug., then built it. (I have the parts specs listed in "Gallery".) I know a local shop about 3 miles from me that still has one left ('03/56cm) with the factory build for $1300. If I could have I would have grabbed it last fall too, and I'm very surprised it's still not taken.

It's weird because I already had the Brooks Pro on an existing bike, and then when I rode that one at the shop I knew I had to have the Raleigh. Even though these frames are "modern" and not classic older Raleigh's, still, what 2 cycling products go together better than Raleigh & Brooks? :) I'm just lucky my arse can live with it.

BTW - just trimmed the Pro by hand with a carpet razor last weekend. Looks now much like a Swallow. Still comfortable too, but I haven't yet been able to get a long ride on it (snow).

Since you mention it, the very next thing I have to do is get a further setback post because of the short-railed Brooks. I've been putting it off, but I've always been about 5/8" too far forward, having to constantly scoot back and hang off the rear of it. I've got a deal on an FSA K-Force Lite, or I'll get the new Easton EC90 Composite w. the CNT resin. Also the Chorus Ti post is an option, but might not have quite enough setback. The Selcof's are gorgeous too, if I could find a better deal on them.

I originally was going to go all Centaur Century Grey with this frame, but when I went to order the group I was offered a helluva deal on the Team Pro Issue's, so I went with them. So I just stole the rest of the group off my previous CX'er (shifters, brakes, Record chain, cassette, R derailleur). All I had to buy was the Chorus braze on.

I found the 120mm Millenium stem on Campy Only! Classified's for $30. and it's perfect. The pedals are still my old Alium's from the CX rig and I have no problem with them, but I'm soon going to get decent roadie pedals.

I was going to build a standard 32H wheelset, but again a great deal was offered on the Zondas NOS so I couldn't resist. The neat thing is the Z's are '03 model year, same vintage as the frame. I figured that was OK since I wasn't getting the Grey hubs anyway, and the wheels & CF cranks give it a more modern look that fits the frame graphics better.

I warned you about getting me started on these bikes! I could talk about them all day, (and often do!) :D

Hey, aren't the pump peg, chain hanger, and reinforced bottle braze-ons just the icing on the cake? Like Bicycling mag said: ...Low spoke-count wheels and the 1.175-inch steerer keep it current, and you get often-forgotten touches...--the best of the past.

7 Words About This Bike: Classic. Solid value. Refined. Sleeper. Campy. Fast.

"Nueva Old-School" all the way!

BTW on the bar tape Mel, have you looked at the Stella Azzurra or Douglas (same thing) Two-Tone's? It has a great grip, but not a lot of padding if that's what you're after.

I tried the black/red on the CX rig and it looked good. Not sure if it would work on these Pro's, some might think it too "busy" with the frame panels and graphics such as they are. OTOH, the stripes might look great on these frames, or you could get the solid blue and still have the white stitching.

Options is good!

Yeah, I've considered this bar tape. The blue with white stitching would look good IMO. I don't need the padding but do like the feel of a large diameter bar (big hands). I'm partial to Deda tape because I like the tackiness. If you've used Deda how does it compare to the Stella? BTW, I bought my frame/fork/headset off Ebay in November? 2003. Most other parts were also Ebay purchases and the wheels were from a guy at Glory Cycles. They're actually Shimano compatible hubs with an American Classic conversion cassette (10spd). Works great, can't tell the difference from regular Campy. Pedals are Time Impact S and I love them. Total cost was a hair over $1,200. Not bad for a Record/Chorus mix.

I'd say the Stella Eleganza and Deda are about the same in tackiness/grip - both good. Another good one in that respect is Salsa Goma, and it's a tad cushier than the Stella or Deda, but still not bulky like some corks or Profile-types.

Nice to see you enjoying summer. I left Blighty 4 weeks ago to the cold and snow NE US of A. No more riding every day when it is -5C in the AM. :-(

Sorry about your mum but nice to see you got your old ride out, refinished and now in NZ.

Good luck with the C-Record. One of the benefits of coming back was getting my stash of EBay stuff out of my in-laws. The CRecord below includes NOS Delta calipers, shifters, rear derailleur and 32 hole hubs. The seat post is in the Gios project box and I didn't bother with the pedals as I hated clips and straps when they were the only thing available and it's one area I'm not going back.

What happened to your compact revolution? Bin those and going total classic?

Regards

You can't beat C-Record. I'm actually part way through sourcing another group. They don't give it away do they!

Sadly new bike not built yet, bloody shop has run out of spokes. Probably won't get the thing until next week now, mind you not so bad as I have a raging hang over and have just had 5 pints for lunch.

Still have the compact army. I'm up to three. The Roberts, the Foster and a New zealand built Avanti, columbus airplane, muscle back end and fork and 2004 Chorus.

That said, I'm a retro fan now, so have the Hetchins and Raleigh projects on the go and will no doubt start another, fancy a fixie actually.

You doing Steinie's or something else down there?

Apologies for delayed response, popped back out for more post luncheon ale. 8 pints now, hang over gone.

Not really a Stein Lager man anymore. They have this crap called Lion Red so I've been swilling that, and at 4% it's better than the c5% Steinies.

Need to lay off, trouble with all this corporate entertainment, plays havoc with the gut/cycling. Pre job change 18 months ago I was about 180lbs, reckon I'm sneaking towards 195lbs now. Better get on my bike(s).

I too am in New Zealand, and looking for decals for a rebuild project. That H Lloyd site is great, but without pictures I'm lost. Where do I find out whats what? I've got a lugged steel frame that is being stripped at the moment, but as it has already been repainted a while back, I dont know what brand it is. I'm just after a nice decal set to give it more of a 60's or 70's look.

Do you know what all the decals are you got? or do you know of any more info on the web that might help me?

Thanks,

-Chris