1980 Raleigh SBDU Team Professional

serial no. SB 4074

Where it came from
This machine started life as a 1975 531 tubed Team Pro SB215 purchased on 25 June 1976 in Houston, Texas, for $900. Frame fractured in November 1980 and replaced by Raleigh with a new 753 frame (serial no. 4074) with original components switched over except for the seat pin (a new Super Record 26.8 seat pin was purchased for $35 to fit the 753 seat tube). The original owner paid an additional $240 for the upgrade to the 753 frame. Purchased from the original owner on 3 April 2005. Returned to the road 28 May.

Some history
Headed by Carlton’s Gerald O’Donovan, Raleigh Specialist Bicycle Development Unit, was created in 1974 and housed in its own standalone factory in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, which was once part of the Rolls Royce works. The SB unit is best known for pioneering and proving the new Reynolds 753 lightweight tubing in 1974 although it made Reynolds 531 framesets as well. Initially, almost all 753 production was for the TI Raleigh Team (which was equipped with 753 frames from the 1975 season onwards) and other European teams with each team member of the Raleigh squad getting two or three frames per season. From 1974-77 it bought out most if not all of the 753 tubing from Reynolds (both Raleigh and Reynolds being part of the TI conglomerate of course) making it exclusive to Raleigh. Production increased to the point of offering framesets starting in November 1975. The 753 was offered in track, roadracing and special time trials frames in the famous team livery, midnight blue or champagne. Initially Ilkeston turned out about 25 753 tubed frames a week c. 1977 and produced approximately 9000 framesets in both 531 and 753 for individuals and teams until its closure in 1986.

Formed at the end of 1973 out of the former Carlton Team, TI Raleigh were the last great powerhouse team of the classic era, headed by Peter Post and featured a stable of mainly Dutch and German riders including Gerrie Knetemann, Roy Schuiten, Jan Raas and Bert Oosterbosch, each a world champion. In 1977 the team competed in the Tour de France for the first time with Didi Thurau wearing the Yellow Jersey for 14 days and Henny Kuiper winning overall 2nd Place. The following year, Gerrie Knetemann won the world road championship and in 1979 Jan Raas claimed the championship. The pinnacle was reached in 1980 with Joop Zoetemelk winning the Tour de France, the first and only time it was won on a British-made machine. When the team was wound up at the end of 1983, it had garnered a record number of 958 pro wins in its 10 years.

Frame/Fork
Material: Reynolds 753 double butted
Braze ons: top tube brake cable stops, gear lever bosses, under bottom bracket cable guides, gear cable stop on chainstay, down tube water bottle mountings. "Fishmouth" seat and chain stays ends and oversized caps to the tops of the seat stays.
Drop outs: drilled Campagnolo 1010B short
Finish: original TI Raleigh Team livery. Raleigh Special Built Unit stickers on chainstays and sticker on down tube celebrating Raleigh’s 1980 Tour de France and 1979 World Championship wins.
Size: seat tube 59 cm (c to c), 61 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c)
Chain stay length: 41 cm (centre of spindle axle to centre of dropout)
Angles: 74 head and seat
Fork rake: 4.2 cm
Wheelbase: 101 cm
Bottom bracket height: 10.75”
Rear spacing: 128 mm
Lugs: Prugnat 62 and Vagner fork crown
Weight: 19.5 lbs. complete machine

Components
Rims: Mavic Speciale Services des Courses Bleu SSC 32-hole rims (700c x 20mm, 395g)
Hubs: 32-hole Campagnolo Super Record low-flange hubs, 2.0 x 1.5. x 2.0 double butted stainless DT spokes (3x) and Campagnolo Super Record skewers.
Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro 19mm sew ups.
Bottom bracket: RGF with Campagnolo Super Record bb with titanium spindle, English thread thread
Chainset: Campagnolo Super Record Strada 172.5 cranks, 53t x 42t rings
Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record road racing with titanium spindles. Sturmer Archer toeclips and straps
Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record, pat. 1975
Freewheel: Maillard 700 Course Professionnel dural 13-14-15-16-17-18 t
Chain: Sedis
Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record short reach
Headset: Campagnolo Super Record English thread
Stem & handlebars: Cinelli oval logo 1A 110 mm stem with Cinelli no. 65 “Criterium’ old logo 40 cm handlebars, Ambrosio bike ribbon tape and Velox plugs.
Saddle: Iscaselle Tornado
Seat pin: Campagnolo Super Record twin-bolt
Accessories: Silca Imperio pump and TA TI Raleigh water bottle