Vintage Frame ID - Raleigh Carlton ???

[GeekDadZoid]

So I picked this up today from a local friendly scrap man, unfortunatly it also came with a proper horrible dual suspension BSO, but that can head over to the local cycle charity.

On initial glance in the one very poor photo I thought it might be a low end catalogue style bike from the early 80s, with the gaudy decals and no head badge. But as it looked to be my size and I am after a vintage road bike I took a punt @ £20 delivered.

Anyway, from inspecting the frame, the serial number on the bottom braket and in the componants, I am pretty certain its a Worksop made Carlton / Raleigh which has has a respray & new olympic decals added many moons ago. Can any one help identify?

What I know

Serial number starts with a W but the pain makes it hard to read the next letter and number but my best guess is WK9.
It has Raleigh branded Weinman centre pulls and levers
It has a brazed on stay for the rear brake stop.
It has wrap around seat stays
It runs 27 1/4 wheels, the front hub is a 1979 and the rear a 1988.
Stem is Raleigh
Shifters and mechs are raleigh branded, 2x5
It has a square taper crankset.
Rear break cable runs on the right of the top tube.

My guess, this is a 1979 bike, Carlton / Raleigh which was reprayed was updated in circa 1988, this would make sense due to the rear wheel date and it was an olympic year.

So what was it originally? Any one have any clues, photos for the sherlocks out there.

 

[midlife]

Typical Truwel frame with Crespera lugs. Been sprayed but there might be some original colour or chrome to be seen.

The base frame was used for many models, need to check the 3rd digit for year and then compare braze ons like rear centre pull brake bridge against catalogue pics.

 

[GeekDadZoid]

I am not sure why I didnt search this forum, Google let me down, but after posting this I did and came across this thread with some good photos.

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/h...ar-old-carlton-grand-prix-restoration.267562/

I am pretty sure its the same model, it has the same componants right down to the same saddle.

 

[midlife]

Yep, could be right. The Grand Prix came in "fire Red", this was originally a yellow base coat with a red semi translucent lacquer. Fab finish but fragile. Chipped like crazy showing the yellow. No yellow on your frame... Then I remembered the later ones had a white ish undercoat and red metallic so yours might be the original paint after all.

 

[classic33]

WKD S* 4448, Frame Number.

*S is horizontal.

Claud Butler had the Olympic Rings as their badge.
Is there a crack in the paint on the rear dropout, and is it only the paint?
Line visible along the side of the lug, extending across the back.

 

[Cycleops]

Nice find. Typical Carlton with those wrap over stays. No head badge ?
I'm no Carlton expect but I'm sure @Spokesmann can shed some light.
What are your plans for it.

 

[midlife]

Later carltons came with a foil headbadge which often peeled off....

 

[GeekDadZoid]

WKD S* 4448, Frame Number.

*S is horizontal.

Possibly WK0? as I think the third character should be a number, which would make it a 1980 bike.

Nice find. Typical Carlton with those wrap over stays. No head badge ?
I'm no Carlton expect but I'm sure @Spokesmann can shed some light.
What are your plans for it.

No head badge, its got a olympic sticker matching the rest of them.

Ive just pumped the tyres up and sat on it and it feels like a good size for me, so initially I will probably stick some new tyres on it, get it mechanically acceptable and take it on a few rides. If I fall in love with it, I will put a plan together on what I want to do. I realistically think I can probably get at least a lap of the park on these tyres, so if the sun is out Saturday ill get some pictures.

 

[classic33]

What's the code on the rear of the Weinman brakes?

 

[midlife]

Pic of foil headbadge above is a 1980 Grand Prix

 

[midlife]

Pic of foil headbadge above is a 1980 Grand Prix

 

[GeekDadZoid]

What's the code on the rear of the Weinman brakes?

I'll have a look tomorrow they might need a clean before I can find it.

Looks quite good with the seat post at about the right height for me. My word the bars are narrow, I have two bikes with dropped bars one a 44cm and the other a 46, I've never ridden any other dropped handlebar bike so it's quite noticeable.

 

[bonzobanana]

They just look like basic olympic stickers but didn't Halford's use to sell Olympic road bikes that were sourced from a UK factory possibly Raleigh which you could save a few pounds buying over the full fat Raleigh branded versions.

 

[classic33]

Stronglight chainset?

 

[GeekDadZoid]

They just look like basic olympic stickers but didn't Halford's use to sell Olympic road bikes that were sourced from a UK factory possibly Raleigh which you could save a few pounds buying over the full fat Raleigh branded versions.

View attachment 634817

They look a bit classier 😊

Stronglight chainset?

Raleigh branded what ever they are.