1973 Raleigh Competition (24"/60cm)

Greetings!

1973 Competitions are interesting beasts. As far as I understand the story, Raleigh rediscovered a trove of Carlton "Capella" lugs from the '50s and decided to use these on a number of their framesets from the 1973 production run. While a few Comps from this year got Nervex and other lugsets, the primary feature of this particular model from this particular year are these beautiful and ornate lugs. However, the other desirable features unique to the early '70s Comps are the tapered chainstays and the absolutely massive Davis sloping fork crown, which makes 700 x 32c tires look like 23s (see atached pic). JP Weigle has famously converted Raleigh Comps of this era into beautiful 650b machines by repositioning the rear brake bridge, adjusting fork rake and adding canti studs. That was roughly my plan for this frameset, but I have made the decision to sacrifice this lovely and promising '73 Comp to fund the custom bike I'm currently having built.

History on this particular frameset: this was basically a barn find from the previous owner, who harvested the original Huret Jubilee derailleurs and other components and proceeded to methodically remove the rust on the frameset by submerging it in naval jelly, after which the frameset was waxed to provide some protection from further corrosion. As it stands, the condition is, ahem, well-patinated, but absolutely free of rust and with no dents anywhere on the frame or fork.

As is to be expected of '70s Bike Boom Raleighs (and British-built bikes in general it would seem), there are also a few quirks on the frame brought to you by the day-drinking framebuilders in Nottingham. Some of the lugs could've used more silver filling underneath. The rear cable hanger stop is brazed on a little crooked. Looks like someone had one too many pints at lunch! While that is part of the charm of these old Raleighs, it's also why I think this frameset is the perfect candidate for a restoration or resto-mod or 650b-ification ala Weigle.

That being said, this frameset can absolutely be built up and ridden as it stands - which I still might do if doesn't sell!

IMPORTANT NOTE: the RD tab is Huret-specific, meaning that this will not take a Campy-style derailleur without an adapter that, if it was ever offered at all, was only manufactured in small numbers 50+ years ago. I've never seen one, and I've been looking! The tab can definitely be jury-rigged by fashioning an adapter out of a washer or piece of metal that compensates for the distance between the Huret-specific "4-o'clock" stop and the more common Campagnolo-style "7-o'clock" position. If you have a Huret derailleur with the attachment, then this is no problem! Or you could just have this fixed by a framebuilder when you're converting the frameset into a baller 650b rig.

ST: 60cm c-c
TT: 57cm c-c
BB: English

While the headset is non-functional (no bearings), the sale does include cable stops/tensioners for rear and headset-mounted centerpull brake routing, original Raleigh seat-binder bolt and a few other oddments.

$195 + shipping

Thanks for looking!