What to buy 1980/1990 race bike.

[mikeymustard]

You could start a new thread in vint&vet. I take it you've got it then?

Edit: vint&classic I mean, that'll teach me not to abbreviate!

 

[Boon 51]

Picked it up today and well pleased I've taken some photo's for a sort of before and after thing?
I shall start a thread in vint&classic and if the mods want to move it they can.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Reynolds 501 makes a nice frame, bikes made with 501 sat between Raleigh's 18-23 steel and 531 frames in price.
I don't know if you're aware but you should be able to date it from the frame number, which should start with a couple of letters then the 1st number is the year of manufacture.

None of my Raleigh 18-23 hi-tensile or Reynolds 501 frames have a factory letter code, only the all-numeric frame number. The first digit does tally with the correct year the bikes were in production.
I don't know if those frames that have RALEIGH engraved seat stay caps were built at Nottingham or elsewhere. I have a 531 hybrid and two 501 MTB frames with the engravings, and a 501 hybrid but with plain stays. All rather odd.

 

[mikeymustard]

None of my Raleigh 18-23 hi-tensile or Reynolds 501 frames have a factory letter code, only the all-numeric frame number. The first digit does tally with the correct year the bikes were in production.
I don't know if those frames that have RALEIGH engraved seat stay caps were built at Nottingham or elsewhere. I have a 531 hybrid and two 501 MTB frames with the engravings, and a 501 hybrid but with plain stays. All rather odd.

Raleigh never were very consistent with their numbering. in about 1990 they changed again - bikes from the "Special Products Division" (which weren't nearly as special as bikes from the SBDU) seem to've been coded with a date letter followed by 5 digits. Bikes from the "SPD" were stuff like Dyna-tech, M-trax and the tourers, perhaps the last of the bikes to be built in the factory?
I have no idea how "non-special products" were numbered but I'm guessing they didn't carry on with the N prefix

 

[Boon 51]

I might buy this if the stand over height is right.
The shop owner wants £50. He's guessing late 70's.

 

[DCLane]

I might buy this if the stand over height is right.
The shop owner wants £50. He's guessing late 70's.

He's right - 1976-79 is my guesss. 531 frame although the 531 logo is missing from the front forks. A similar one's here that was £300: https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...etro-large-23.5-reynolds-531-frame/1316761725

For £50 I'd buy it, whatever the size.

 

[carpenter]

531 competition? lucky so and so - buy it

edit: good job you have a lot of space in you workshop

 

[Boon 51]

531 competition? lucky so and so - buy it

edit: good job you have a lot of space in you workshop

But its starting to fill up fast

 

[mikeymustard]

There's a chance the forks might not be original (the rake looks a bit "straight" for 70s maybe?) but worth £50 of anyone's money! Frame about 23 - 23.5"?

 

[Boon 51]

There's a chance the forks might not be original (the rake looks a bit "straight" for 70s maybe?) but worth £50 of anyone's money! Frame about 23 - 23.5"?

He's not measured it but he said about 23inch.

 

[Poacher]

There's a chance the forks might not be original (the rake looks a bit "straight" for 70s maybe?) but worth £50 of anyone's money! Frame about 23 - 23.5"?

Worth £50 just for the components! In view of the (probably) non-original forks, I'd be inclined to feel for any ruckling on the underside of the downtube, just behind the headtube, indicating head-on crash damage.
Even if present, not necessarily a deal breaker - it looks OK in your photo.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Just consider what you'd pay for a new lugged 531 frame today - and then go and buy that one.
You're getting a high quality machine for the price of a secondhand BSO. Its a no-brainer, like my 531 framed drop-bar Dawes that I paid £40 for. If you've got a good frame you've got the makings of a nice bike even if some of the other bits aren't in the best condition.

 

[Boon 51]

I'm going down the shop today or tomorrow and I will check a few things out but I am well tempted even if I clean it up and re sell or do it up for myself?
It has a nice patina ?

 

[biggs682]

I'm going down the shop today or tomorrow and I will check a few things out but I am well tempted even if I clean it up and re sell or do it up for myself?
It has a nice patina ?

If you don't buy that at £50 i will ignore all your future post's they are great bikes and ride great , check the forks and underside of the main tubes as the forks might not be original .

Does the rear drop out have mudguard eyes ?

 

[woodbutcher]

I'm going down the shop today or tomorrow and I will check a few things out but I am well tempted even if I clean it up and re sell or do it up for myself?
It has a nice patina ?

I can't see how you would ever regret buying that for £50 ....."Never look a gift horse in the mouth."