Vintage Raleigh 753 ('79 or '80)

[Keith A]

A friend of mine (who works at a LBS) stumbled onto a vintage Raleigh 753 with complete Campy Record (not sure if it is super or nouvo) components. From what I can dig up, it appears to be a '79 or '80. The bike looks like it has never been ridden and was just rolled off the showroom floor.

I wanted to find out if any of our forum members are knowledgeable about this particular bike. I have done enough searching on the Internet to realize that this is a special bike and Sheldon Brown describes this as a "major collectible".

I'd really like to find out the model year for this bike, but the info that I found about the serial numbers didn't match very well with the number on the bottom bracket. Although, I found an 1980 Raleigh 753 that had a very similar number, so know there must be some other details on the serial numbers from these years.

BTW, I should have some pictures of this up in the near future.

[William]

Have you tried Retro Raleighs yet?

http://retroraleighs.com/index.html

I believe PBWrench is knowledgable on the Raleigh front. Just did a retoration not too long ago.


William

[Keith A]

Thanks William. Yes I did find this website, which is were I saw the information about the serial number. The bike appears to be the Team 753 model and has a TdF Champion 1977 decal on it. So this is most likely a '78 or '79 instead of a '79 or '80 as I stated previously -- the 1980 models has the dates "1978/79" on their decal.

[William]

My 79 Super Course has that sticker with the 1977 TDF date as well as 1978 World Road Champion Date on it. I guess that puts your at 78-79 like you thought.

William

[William]

BTW, if you go into the custom section and find the "More 79 Raleigh/Carlton Supercourse" thread, you can see a close up of the sticker.


William

[Keith A]

William -- your decal is different; and based on this I believe this bike is from 1978. It has cable stops like yours does, instead of the cable clamps that were on the '76 model. It also can't be a '77 since this is what the decal states as being the winner of the TdF from that year.

The tubing is Reynolds 753 which was only on their top end model, but there isn't any "team" decals on the bike.

[Keith A]

One other tidbit I found. This frame was produced at the Ilkeston factory in England which does match the info on the serial number.

[eddief]

I was helping out a friend by doing some maintenance on his Raleigh while he was recovering from chemo. This was one fine looking lugged 753 frameset. I was having trouble getting the indexed rear derailleur working properly. I ended up taking it to a shop for advice and they said I had the dreaded first model year of Campy's downtube indexing system. Apparently a nice try, but no cigar this model year. So if you are considering purchasing a "classis with classic parts" just make sure you know what your getting...beside that nice looking frameset.

My friend's bike looked just like this but was made of 753. I don't know if the components were original or added at a later date.

http://retroraleighs.com/racing-usa.html

[Keith A]

Thanks for the info. I haven't had the chance check out the bike in person yet, but will be doing so shortly. This bike does not have the team red/black/yellow paint scheme, but rather it is solid black with the head tube being light blue along with matching color bands on the seat tube.

[julian]

I recently purchased a 753R Raleigh team frame Serial number SB6177 ona Cinelli bottom bracket I have checked Sheldons site and can't find any ref to these frame numbers. I have a sticker showing the Ilkeston Specialist Bicycle Developemnt dept ? Can anyone further my knowledge on this frame. I was told when I bought it it was an old Team Weinman from 1984
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh84/ral84_16.jpg

It is identical to the one shown here braze ons number hangers ? Can anyone confirm whether the SB frame numbers were " Special Bikes " ?

[Joel]

Keith,

From what you describe (especially the color) this may be one of the framesets that Raleigh sold in the early 80's as their "custom" work. This was on the last page of one of the catalogues (which I think I still have) and was available as a special order through Raleigh dealers at the time. I distinctly remember one of them on the floor at Maplewood Cycles in St. Louis.

If you get a picture of this that you can send me (or post), I'll know for sure. Or maybe it will give me a really good reason to haul my out of shape rear end over there, see it, and go for a ride with you all.

Best,

Joel

[Keith A]

julian -- If you haven't checked out the Yahoo! Groups Ti Raleigh Team Pros (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TI_RALEIGH_TEAM_PROS/), then these are the guys/gals you should be asking your question to. Before you post a question, you should search through their discussions to see if this has already been covered. There are a number of people on this discussion forum that really know their Raleighs.

Joel -- Thanks for the info! I still don't have a picture from the owner of the bike. He keeps thinking he wants to sell this, but hasn't taken any pictures of it yet. Since posting this message thread some time back, I still haven't come across (on the 'net) any Raleighs that are painted in this exact scheme. I know this is the original paint as this bike has basically been sitting unridden for all these years. BTW, where do you live in this lovely state?

[Joel]

Keith,

Right smack in the middle, here in Orlando, or as some say...the Land Of The Mouse :D

Joel

[Keith A]

I used to be there as well, but had to be closer to the coast -- and get out of all the traffic in Orlando. If you ever want to check out the riding over here, just drop me an email.

[keelybepesto]

I am also trying to nail down the origin of a 1979 Raleigh. Photos can be viewed at www.cwhatic.net. View photo album, open Bicycle. Sheldon Brown said it looks like a custom high end bike - he offered no information. Perhaps PBWrench can help. I replied to this thread because of the common year and brand hoping to get some attention! Ser. #WG9006204.