Greetings friends,
I've finally gotten around to posting some photos of my old 1971 Raleigh International frameset.
This is stripped bare and shows (for better or worse) some interesting construction details. I had picked up this frameset several years ago after it had been previously repainted in a simple silver metallic with no decals. This had been a bad paint job which had already chipped where some of the paint had blistered - in some cases, over bits of minimal surface rust... Yes, some VERY poor pre-paint prep work!
Of interest to some folks may be the seldom seen Reynolds 531 "Rapid Taper" chainstays. This was apparently a short lived option with no creases to the tubing for tire or chainring clearances. I guess this concept did not go over too well and was abandoned rather quickly.
I still have not decided what to do with regard to a final refinishing, but I wanted to share many of the otherwise concealed little details while this somewhat battered frameset is still stark naked.
http://www.flickr.com/
On a brighter note...
For you big fellas, here is a current eBay auction with some very nice photos showing a lovely restored 1972 International. Seat tube measures 62 cm. center-to-top.
eBay item # 120471243452
A deep metallic green enamel with the original decals replaced. Were it a smaller size, I would definitely be tempted. These bikes would be Britain's close counterparts Schwinn's Paramount bikes of the same era - complete with chrome plated Nervex Professional head lugs. Worth a look... and maybe some photo-captures? ... (hint, hint).
Enjoy!
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA