I’ve recorded and blogged what seems like an amazing amount of detail relating to SBDU frames over the years and I’ve always strived to make everything I publish as accurate as I can. It has been a goal of mine to keep assumptions, unchecked facts and internet myths off the blog. What I’ve found is that my findings and posts are challenged on an almost daily basis when I’m contacted regarding frames, and so far, everything I’ve published has remained rock solid.
Every SBDU bike I see gets checked against my database, so when SB6827 came along a few weeks ago, it was no different and I thought I would check it against the blog post I wrote about the TI-Raleigh colour and transfer scheme. That post was written using approx 100 original paint TI-Raleigh SBDU bikes and demonstrated which transfers should be fitted and how those transfers changed and moved over the years from the start of the SBDU in 1974.
Because of the amount of original TI bikes I referenced, I knew it was accurate for the TI-Raleigh colours, but how well do other SBDU bikes fit into the scheme; the arrival of the original paint SB6827 gave me the chance to test my own data.
Starting with the Reynolds frame transfer. According to my data, it should be fitted in the region between the tip of the seat lug and no more than 4-5mm below the tip. SB6827 fits perfectly just under the tip. It’s also a 1984 531 frame so the Reynolds 531c transfer type and the “TI Reynolds Limited” detail is correct for the period.
The TI-Raleigh scheme changed the fork blade transfer from the circular TI to the small Reynolds TI transfer at some point near the end of 1981. The newer Reynolds TI transfer was typically positioned approx 10mm below the top edge on Cinelli sloping internal crowns. SB6827 has the correct period Reynolds TI fork transfer and it is positioned in the right location.
The circular TI transfer was also fitted at the base of the seat tube and was moved closer to the BB at a similar period late in 1981. The TI transfer had originally sat approx 2-2.5″ above the BB, usually half way between the BB and the front derailleur clamp. Then the SBDU re-positioned it to its new lower location. SB6827 has the TI transfer in the correct later location, sitting just above the BB.
The iconic SBDU oval moved position along the chain stay a few times over the life of the SBDU. Starting at approx 10.5 cm from the BB chain stay socket, it moved to roughly 13.5 cm during 1981 and then moved again in late 1982/early 1983 to a new position in the region of 16 cm from the BB. SB6827 has the SBDU oval in the correct later location. Another point to note is that it is not positioned directly on the side or directly on the top of the chain stay. Both the location and fitting position fit with my earlier data.
By the end of 1980, the SBDU were fitting the 1980 TDF Winners transfer at the top of the down tube just below the tip of the lower head head lug. This was moved in 1984 when the SBDU radically changed the position of the gear levers by moving them up the down tube by approx 45mm from their original location. Following this move there simply wasn’t enough room between the tip of the lug and the gear lever bosses to fit the transfer. So for this limited time in 1984 the transfer was fitted below the gear levers.
The right hand edge of top tube transfer on the TI-Raleigh scheme was set back from the right hand edge of the down tube transfer. SB6827 is exactly the same, the ‘H’ of the top tube ‘RALEIGH’ is set back behind the ‘H’ of the down tube ‘RALEIGH’. The top tube transfer is also approx 1″ behind the front brake cable stop. All of this matches my previous findings.
The SBDU didn’t start to use the newer type of head badge with the two hidden pins until early 1985, at approx SB7200. SB6827 dates to the end of 1984 so it correctly uses the original 3 pin head badge.
And finally, the GvO’D transfer… I have no evidence at all of original paint TI-Raleigh frames, or any SBDU scheme using this transfer until 1985 at the earliest. SB6827 fits into these findings and doesn’t have it fitted.
It all fits, each of the transfers on this original (but non TI) frame matches the findings and data I published in my earlier TI-Raleigh post. If you want to read more about the specific details, SB numbers, dates and locations of SB transfers then please have a look at…
SBDU Ilkeston SB Frame Transfer Layout and Lug Detailing for TI-Raleigh Restorations (1974 – 1983)
