snipped: "Now the question - how would a customer know, back in the day, what kind of Team Pro frameset he or she was getting?"
back then, the same sensibilities did not exist.
nobody knew or even cared. it's like the interest
in the masi-by-builder-and-town thing. it just
wasn't an issue on anyone's radar.
e-RICHIE
chester, ct
If you are reading this then you have decided not to hit the delete button. Now bear with me please....
Who can confirm, correct or add to the following:
1. When the Ilkeston shop opened it was intended and used for both Raleigh's R&D and their genuine Team frames and all their "custom" frames including Team Pro frames that were not used by thgeir racing team. Accurate???
2. Worksop did not close when Ilkeston opened but continued on as their facility for "production" bikes using Reynolds 531. Acurate???
3. Some Raleigh Team Pro framesets were made in the Worksop facility as denoted by their "W" serial number prefix and they were identical to the late style, non-fastback Raleigh Pro's but in Team colors; these had the oversized seatstay caps as recently discussed on the list. Some Raleigh Team Pro's were of course made at the Ilkeston facility and were denoted by their "SB" serial number prefixes. I own each and have seen other examples of the above too. Now the question - how would a customer know, back in the day, what kind of Team Pro frameset he or she was getting? The difference in workmanship between the two types is very evident and I would think there had to be a way that Raleigh differentiated the two as a product offering?
Thanks in advance for any tidbits of info,
Eric Elman
Somers, CT