Unknown '80s Raleigh

[Jesper]

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[ThePhysicist]

(04-23-2021, 01:49 PM)Jesper Wrote:  Picking up an old Raleigh for a "rustoration" (clean, stabilize rust, clear coat, no parts polishing, tires/tubes,ride) from a local friend who restores "Whizzer" powered bikes. A perfect city bike that I doubt someone will want to steal when when parked next to all the shiny bikes. It seems to be an okay frame (I figure it's about a 28 pounder as built) with decent components. Certainly not my normal type of bike or build given my penchant for lightweight classic European racers, but getting for essentially nothing so no loss. Photos were forwarded to me since I have yet to pick it up. My friend is building a pennyfarthing and needed a longer cottered crank set than what he has now so bike is being traded for cranks I'm not using. I am not at all familiar with Raleigh (of America) bikes of that period. I think Huffy owned the Raleigh name in the US during that period with the bikes being produced in Japan. I have no idea what "Raleigh 502" (not REYNOLDS, never made "502", Reynolds "501" is seamed and butted ) tubing is (Ishiwata, TANGE, butted/straight gauge, seamless/seamed, etc. ?). The frame has "RALEIGH" badged stay caps and cranks, Raleigh logo fork crown, and Raleigh logo handlebar with US flag stamping; all nice little features for what I assume was a fairly inexpensive bike for the time. Sun Tour "V GT" (LUXE?) long cage rear derailleur, Sun Tour Front derailleur, and stem mount "Power Shift" levers; alloy rims. I'm assuming it's a entry level touring frame given the rear cluster gearing (large rear cog looks about 32-34T, front pair maybe 52/40T).

Anyone got any ideas as to the model and/year.

I'm no expert but I think that's a 1984 Raleigh Marathon. If it's not 1984 then it seems very close to what I'm seeing. Could probably narrow a year down if you get the serial number on it.
   
   

[Jesper]

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