Unknown Carlton

[DanC99]

Hi, I'm new here but have been cycling and building bikes since I can remember!
I recently embarked on a search for a Carlton as a retro ride and project. Luckily, I stumbled on an unusual Carlton bike for sale in Bournemouth.
It looks very different now from when I first bought it.
It has chromed 531 forks with Brev Campagnolo dropouts and chromed rear stays, both without hangers for panniers/guards. It has an unusual yellow and blue paint job and Carlton (made in England) stickers on the head tube and seat tube.
The rear stays don't loop over the cross bar but are faced off and join at the top of the seat stay.
I've looked through what is available on Google search but can't identify anything similar.
I was hoping that maybe someone may have a clue?!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Are the forks genuine aheadset or is the a quill converter? @Spokesmann is the resident Carlton expert. Welcome to the forum!

 

[midlife]

Welcome, the only Carlton that had oversized seat stay caps was the Professional, only available in team silver. Should have 3 slots in the BB and a frame number stamped in the bottom bracket beginning with a W.

Shaun

 

[midlife]

Or a Carrera made after the official factory closed.....

Shaun

 

[DanC99]

Thanks, Hugh. The forks are 1" threaded standard with a quill adapter, yes. I forgot to mention that the original wheels are 6 speed Campagnolo Brevetti Internazionali hubs and Campagnolo Omega Strada Hardox rims.

 

[DanC99]

Or a Carrera made after the official factory closed.....

Shaun

It does look quite similar, Shaun. The graphics are the same. Not sure whether it was an option but there is no spigot for the pump on it head tube?

 

[DanC99]

Also, the frame number begins WH6 but there's nothing too individual about the bottom bracket shell.

 

[midlife]

1986 frame so will be a "Raleigh" variant if from the Raleigh stable. Raleigh kept up the W frame numbers after Worksop closed. Not sure what frame numbers the Carrera used but they came with bits and pieces different as they were hand made. Some had fastback seat stays.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=178542

See above for Raleigh frames.

If the Carrera was being made at that time and they used the old W numbering then still could be one if them

Shaun

 

[midlife]

Just had a thought, doesn't an ex Carlton guy work for Universal Cycles? Might be able to help......

Shaun

 

[midlife]

http://www.universalcyclecentre.co.uk/repairs.html

Shaun

 

[Critical]

Hi Dan, new here myself. Should be able to date it with the full frame number...not everyone likes giving them out so no worries if you don't want to. The last Worksop built Carltons were up to around 1981, after that Nottingham built but as mentioned they kept the W prefix.

 

[Spokesmann]

From what I can see, the previous suggestions of a Nottingham built Carrera seem good. Any frame number, would have N in it if a later Nottingham machine.

 

[raleighnut]

From what I can see, the previous suggestions of a Nottingham built Carrera seem good. Any frame number, would have N in it if a later Nottingham machine.

Pretty sure Raleigh kept the W prefix on their 'high end' (531) bikes after Worksop was closed for a few years at least.

 

[Spokesmann]

Pretty sure Raleigh kept the W prefix on their 'high end' (531) bikes after Worksop was closed for a few years at least.

You could well be right, that said nothing surprises me from this period or from any for that matter.

 

[midlife]

Yep, Raleigh nicked the "W" from Worksop when it closed and stamped it on Nottingham made frames. Typical bean counters at Raleigh running the show!

Shaun