Worksop Carlton 531 Build

[Gunk]

Its been a while since I did a full build, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and that’s a 1980’s frame with a mid 90’s groupset.

So I just won this stunning 1989 Carlton 531 Frameset

Plan is to build it up with stuff I already have and run it as a 2x9 Ultegra 6500 with Brifters and a Dura Ace 7700 Crankset. wheelset is again vintage 1990’s which I’ll run 25c clinchers to make it a bit more useable.

So the aim is to produce a classic steel racing bike but with slightly more modern components, but trying to be sympathetic to the frameset, so definitely not a “resto mod”

As soon as frame arrives I’ll post another update

 

[raleighnut]

Its been a while since I did a full build, I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and that’s a 1980’s frame with a mid 90’s groupset.

So I just won this stunning 1989 Carlton 531 Frameset

View attachment 742938

Plan is to build it up with stuff I already have and run it as a 2x9 Ultegra 6500 with Brifters and a Dura Ace 7700 Crankset. wheelset is again vintage 1990’s which I’ll run 25c clinchers to make it a bit more useable.

So the aim is to produce a classic steel racing bike but with slightly more modern components, but trying to be sympathetic to the frameset, so definitely not a “resto mod”

As soon as frame arrives I’ll post another update

Sorry to disillusion you but an 89 frame wasn't built in Worksop, it may have a 'W' prefix frame number and was built by the same workers but the Worksop factory had been shut by then, it closed in 1981. I own an 83 'W' prefix Road Ace frame in 531 and again that was built in Nottingham. you may be lucky and it turns out to be a 79 frame though

 

[Gunk]

Sorry to disillusion you but an 89 frame wasn't built in Worksop, it may have a 'W' prefix frame number and was built by the same workers but the Worksop factory had been shut by then, it closed in 1981. I own an 83 'W' prefix Road Ace frame in 531 and again that was built in Nottingham. you may be lucky and it turns out to be a 79 frame though

Looks like you’re right, not a problem, I didn’t buy it because it was a Worksop frame. I just really liked it!

 

[Gunk]

Sorry to disillusion you but an 89 frame wasn't built in Worksop, it may have a 'W' prefix frame number and was built by the same workers but the Worksop factory had been shut by then, it closed in 1981. I own an 83 'W' prefix Road Ace frame in 531 and again that was built in Nottingham. you may be lucky and it turns out to be a 79 frame though

Here is the frame number

 

[midlife]

1979 as it has over BB guides and nutted brakes ?

 

[Witzend]

1979 as it has over BB guides and nutted brakes ?

I was thinking the same when I saw the cable routing over the BB and lack of bosses on the downtube for the band-on levers.
The paint job also looks more '79 than '89 - and all the better for it.
I'm sure I've seen a jpeg of a typed list of frame numbers, probably on here, that indicates dates/sites. Trawled my hard-drive but no joy as yet.

 

[raleighnut]

1979 as it has over BB guides and nutted brakes ?

Could very well be, making it a Worksop build after all.

My own 'W' prefix frame would have been built by the post 74 Worksop team (the top 6 frame makers having moved to the SBDU) in the Raleigh 'lightweight division' set up in an unused area of the main Nottingham factory. It has been somewhat modified with a now 16 speed gearset (from the standard 12) and bullhorn handlebars but still with downtube shifters.

 

[Witzend]

Knew i'd seen it somewhere:

More info on here:
http://carltoncycles.uk/dating-carltons-frame-numbers/

Edited to add: "Third symbol denotes year....duplication after 10yrs will occur".
Your 9 could then still be 1979 or 1989 - my money's on the former.

 

[Gunk]

Anyway, it’s a lovely frame and my era (I was 14 in 1979) and should build up into a great bike. I’ve now got everything, just need the frame to arrive!

 

[Gunk]

I’ve done some further research and its a 1979 Carlton Professional Mk.5. They only sold this as a frame rather than a complete bicycle. Reynold 531 forks, stays and butted tube frames.

So a nice find, especially unrestored.

 

[Gunk]

 

[Gunk]

All unpacked and it’s even better than the photos, it also came with some Tetkro nutted dual pivot calipers which I will use to convert the Ultegra 6600’s from a hex, so I won’t need to drill the frame.

First job however will be to service the wheelset, which I’ll probably do at work.

 

[midlife]

Nice . Looks like a Pro that’s been refinished with later seat bolt, top tube guides and mudguard eyes brazed on the portacatena dropouts.

 

[Gunk]

Nice . Looks like a Pro that’s been refinished with later seat bolt, top tube guides and mudguard eyes brazed on the portacatena dropouts.

It’s definitely been refinished but to an excellent standard, BB has the correct cutouts. Looking at the original specs it could be a Giro d'Italia

 

[midlife]

Don’t think It’s a Giro, oversize seat stay caps, lugs, diamonds on the rear brake bridge etc puts it in Raleigh / Carlton pro territory.