Why create a blog about this? What exactly is this? What am I going to blog about?
Well, this is all about a frame, a frame built by craftsmen, using the very best tubing, raced by the best professionals of the day, and coveted by people like me who appreciate the quality and pedigree of the frames and the unit that built them. Approximately 8000 of these frames where made from the early 70’s to the mid 80’s. For more information on this unit, click here.
If you followed that link, you will now know a little bit more about the history of these frames. I’ve always wanted one, since a customer brought a complete bike into the shop all those years ago. I remember the distinct red and black colour. I didn’t know then what they were but knew I wanted one. Several years down the line and a lot more knowledgeable about them, I now have one!!
This is mine…
My wife suggested that I started this blog to document the build from bare frame into a complete Raleigh Team Pro 753 with Campagnolo Super Record.
So this is where it starts…
Great site. I have a favor to ask. I need campy bearings and race for my headset Do you know where i could find some?My serial number is SB3294. Again super site and thanks. sbristol07@yahoo.com
Hi Steven, If you are after a crown race, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one on its own. I’ve seen top nuts, washers and the top adjuster cup on their own but never a crown race. If I was after one, I would look for the nastiest looking headset on ebay (not being bothered about spanner marks) and just use it as spares to get your race, probably just replacing the lower stack. There is a very cheap super record headset on ebay.com at the moment with only 2 days left at just under £20 at the moment. These bits aren’t cheap at the moment. If you want actual campagnolo bearings, again, there are loads on there. If you aren’t too fussed about campy bearings in cages then there’s nothing wrong in popping in std lose ball bearings. I always do this as you get more bearings fitted than in cages and spreads the load (particularly helpful in a headset).
Thanks for liking my site. I was just going to build my bike but my wife insisted I blogged about it and I’m really enjoying it. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful about the headset parts.
Hi Steven,
I really enjoyed reading through your site – thank you very much for taking the time to offer your thoughts, advice and experience – they are very helpful and you are providing a much appreciated service as knowledge of SBDU bikes is hard to come by. I own several Raleigh Pros from ’71 to ’78, and several Internationals as well, love them all, but have never ridden or owned an SBDU bike. But finally I picked up an SB frame on ebay. It is a 1977 with 753 tubing – serial #SB1461. It is quite rough around the edges and obviously neglected but does not appear to have any dents or serious rust. I am very excited to build this one up and experience what a “real” vintage race bike feels like out on the road. I wish I could know more of the bikes history and if it really saw any action on the TI-Raleigh Team. I look forward to seeing how your bike turns out – good luck!
Cheers – Greg
beautiful site and bike. well done.
Looking for those drive screws for the headbage or at least their dimensions. Appreciate if you could point me in the right direction.
Hi, thank you for the comments. These are what I used (this is a link to ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RALEIGH-CHOPPER-GRIFTER-ETC-RIVETS-4-HEAD-BADGE-2-SETS-/190530266083?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item2c5c7d23e3
I don’t think that they are the original colour rivet but they worked out ok and look good. A simple tap with a hammer and they are secured.
Thanks again.