[CR]$80 Raleigh Prof'l -- Chrome treatment help -- help with dating?

(Example: Humor)

From: "dddd" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 13:33:46 -0700
Subject: [CR]$80 Raleigh Prof'l -- Chrome treatment help -- help with dating?

Got a Raleigh today, great shape if not all original parts (has old 27" Mod58 wheels, Dura-Ace brakes,a TA-style Zeus crankset and Rally derailer. All else appears original, 'cept the big "600" freewheel and EDCO headset).

Not to complain, but my find is dampened a bit due to the appearance of the crome on fork and stays. First guess is it's not quite there anymore, not all of it. Kind of looks worn off, but I haven't touched anything but for some Liquid Wrench on the "dry red patina'd" dropout screws. Almost no rust where the chrome is/was.

I'm looking for advice on how to salvage it's appearance, without removing any more of the remaining too-thin chrome.

I also will be looking for a close match to the metallic gold pinstripe paint, missing in a few places. Most all decals are great, but for the Reynolds seat tube transfer (not THAT bad) and a mostly-missing Carlton Triangle decal above the bb. Has that one been replicated successfully? I hope anyone who gets decals made will first poll this list for others in need -- so much more cost-effective!

Touch-up to the "Professional" script looks easy, it's almost all there. Curiously, there's an intact "Made In England" script almost completely obscured by the brake cable. Anyone know what handlebar tape I'll need to replace the stitched-on leather?

Not quite King Tut's tomb here, but I finished our 55-mile training ride this morning and somehow had the energy to visit a "neighborhood flea market" on my way home, riding my '80's Taiwan road bike (at least it's lugged steel). First house I see with a sign, and there's a bike in the driveway. A 22X22" Mink Raleigh, with, at first glance, a $100 price tag hanging from the bar/stem area. One more look , and I spot a dry brooks Prof'l with the original shape to it, and I'm reaching for my wallet. The only bill I have is a hundred, but before I pull it out the 75-year-old owner is saying they had marked it down to 85 already, I hand him the bill and he gives me a 20. Next, I ask him if he has any more bikes, but he says he sold the other one already. OH NO, I think: "Please, sir, don't tell me it was a Columbine or Colnago" (my EXACT thought, or was it Colnago or Columbine? Never mind). Turns out it was a lady's Atala. Whew. What are the odds of that, someone passing on a desireable bike for a much less desireable one? All this after hundreds of people have been here looking already. I did also speak to his wife, and she said they toured Europe with these bikes. Must have been a credit-card tour, the saddle looks almost unused. Lastly, I had to get the bike home, and I suffered mightily rolling the purchase (tires sported air!) home, riding my Allez with it's racing fit, my back aching, burning as I pedalled up the many hills while holding the Raleigh with my left hand atop the stem. Almost crashed twice on bumpy descents, at least the Raleigh almost did!

One more perusal has me checking the post and stem --- both are free. The stem quill bolt takes a 7mm wrench, appears to be chromed. Does that suggest a manufacturing date? Stem is a 10cm 1A with oval stamp on top. Serial# is WD5002334, and there's a huge "CC" cutout in slanted square letters -- lots of stress risers there! Saddle badge is less than 1/4" tall, smallest one I've seen.

Coincidentally, I have almost all the parts needed to restore this bike's originality. Stuff I almost sold many times. Fortunately, I was too lazy.

One more detail: The NR shifter clamp has the "lower" point (below the world stamp) milled off to contact the matching flat edge of the positioning lug atop the downtube. Could that be original? Will I need "world logo" hoods? (not that I can afford them, in all honesty)

Thanks in advance to all who can provide assistance.