Jerry,
It is quite possible that Raleigh would have used both styles of 531 transfers on bikes of that period, the "intermediate" as you call it appears around that time ('74) if not a little earlier, but remember that manufacturers large and small may have had stock to use of the older styles... That said, from your description your seat tube transfer sounds like a knock-off decal, if it looks to be easily access-able and readily removable, you might want to replace it with one of the earlier transfers to match your fork transfers. I have some but need to locate.
Dale Phelps Longmont CO
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> wrote: I bought a 1974 Raleigh International frameset from Jason Cloutier at last year's Larz swap. It was cheap, mostly because of a large dent in the top tube. I plan to have the dent repaired by a framebuilder/painter on the list. This will require replacing at least some decals, and I may have the frame clearcoated to protect them.
I now have some question about the 531 decal on this frame. It has old style, simple fork decals like this:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
But the frame decal is a "intermediate" one like this:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
The fork decal that matches this frame decal is this more elaborate one (only in English):
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/
I'm suspicious now that he frame decal is not correct, particularly as I think 1974 is too early for the intermediate decal referring to "Reynolds Tube Co." Further, I suspect that the frame decal is a reproduction, as it is square, while I've been told by several list members that their original "Reynolds Tube Co." frame decals are wider than they are high.
Can anyone tell me whether a 1974 Raleigh should have the simpler earlier 531 decals, or the "intermediate" Reynolds Tube Co. decals? If some of the 531 decals on the frame are incorrect, I'd like to have correct ones applied when the frame is repaired.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
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