Hi, all; first-time poster...
I'm currently building up what I believe to be a 1971 Raleigh International frame. I got it as a rattlecan job: Chromed forkblades/stays and Nervex Pro lugs; missing/overpainted decals; badge removed (but rivet-holes in the right locations on the headtube); serial number F5332, which is a 1971 frame according to Sheldon's site.
My intention is to build it up as a loaded tourer: Mafac Racers, Sachs/Huret Duopar, Suntour barcons. But in the build process, I've run into a weirdness: My LBS measured out the seatpost size as 27.0, when all documentation I've ever seen on Internationals (and Reynolds 531 frames generally) says 27.2. I've been researching other frames that used Nervex Pro lugs, just on the possibility that the frame may have been misidentified; but all signs point to Raleigh, except for the seatpost size.
My suspicion is that someone clamped a 27.0 post in at one point, and crimped the top of the seat tube. If that's the case, wouldn't I run the risk of further damage (and saddle slipping) if I use a seatpost that's really too small for the seat tube? Obviously, I have a lot more inexpensive seatpost options (both period and modern; single-bolt SR and Thomson are my preferences) if it's 27.2, but I don't want to fix something if it isn't busted.
I see three possibilities:
1) 27.2 seat tube clamped to 27.0 - get the clamp expanded to the normal size (by what method? Is this an LBS thing, or can I do it myself?)
2) 27.0 seat tube - ream it out to 27.2 (definitely an LBS thing)
3) 27.0 seat tube - get a 27.0 seat post and get over myself
Any thoughts? Has anyone else encountered an International with a narrower-than-normal seatpost?
I'll get some photos together and post some links. Thank you!
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Peter Adler
Berkeley, California