BEST GOLD TESTER

TI Raleigh SBDU Time Trial Special 1976
serial no. SB 576 H31

An exceptionally early (quite possibly the first) Reynolds 753 time trial special frame built in February 1976 by Raleigh SBDU, Ilkeston. The "H31" bb stamping designates this as only the 31st special order frameset built by the SBDU.

Acquired on eBay (UK) in October 2010 for Ł433 from its second owner. Back on the road 25 January 2011.

This rare and unusual frame differs from later production SBDU 753 tt framesets:
1. conventional Campagnolo drop-outs instead of vertical ones.
2. the front and rear drop-outs are not drilled
3. seat and chainstay ends are conventional not "fish mouth"
4. seatstay caps are conventional not oversized

Built up with some of the lightest period correct components c. 1976, the complete machine weighs 17.6 lbs

description from the eBay auction:

"The frame is a Time Trial Special model purchased from the original first owner. Raleigh SBDU Time Trial Special frames are much rarer than their road racing equivalents. The frame is of particular interest because after many years of researching Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston, recording frame numbers and details and studying data bases held on the internet etc I feel this frame is probably the first Reynolds 753 frame to be sold to a member of the public. It would also therefore be the first Time Trial Special frame set sold to the public.

Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston worked very closely with Reynolds and in particular on the development of Reynolds 753 tubing. This is not surprising as both Raleigh and Reynolds were both owned by Tube Investments (Ti). Reynolds first produced 753 tube sets in 1974 and Dave Lloyd took the RRA straight-out 50 mile record in October of that year on a 753 frame. 753 frames were then used by Roy Schuiten in the 1975 Paris-Nice and then along with other selected Ti Raleigh team members he rode 753 frames for most of the subsequent races in that year. Roy Schuiten also rode a 753 frame in his world pursuit championship win and also for his wins in the Grand Prix des Nations at Lugano in 1975. 753 frames used at this time by the Ti Raleigh Team were badged Reynolds 531.

Reynolds first announced the production of 753 to the general public in November 1975. The launch was timed to coincide with Roy Schuiten’s hour record attempt in Mexico for which two special 753 frames were made by Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston. They were also painted with a new light weight gold paint and lacquer.

However, Raleigh SBDU never geared up to supply frame sets and accept orders from the public until January 1976. By this time Reynolds, supported by Raleigh SBDU, considered that the technique required to braze 753 tubing had been properly developed. In addition Reynolds were not willing to supply frame sets to frame builders until they had been specifically approved by Reynolds as having acquired the necessary skills to safely braze the tubing. This situation resulted in Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston being able to supply 753 frames to the public 3 months or more before any other frame builders.

Raleigh SBD at Ilkeston required a minimum of 3 months from date of order to build a frame. This frame supplied on 24 March 1976. I have the original sales receipt. Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston frame numbering started at around number 500 at the beginning of 1976. However, the numbering sequence did not distinguish between tube set types so for example a Reynolds 531SL frame could be numbered say 610 and a 753 frameset numbered 611.

When the original owner purchased the frame he was already competing as a veteran in his mid 50’s. He achieved significant success on the frame in the Veterans Best British All Rounder with several finishes in the top 5. Copies of pages from Cycling Weekly detailing some of the owner’s success will be provided to the buyer along with the original receipt for the purchase of the frame. A photo of the owner using the frame in a time trail competition in 1980 will also be provided along with copy correspondence with him.

The frame was repainted some time ago but in exactly the same colour and identical Raleigh transfer set as when first purchased with the help of the original first owner."

Build Date: February 1976
Delivered: 24 March 1976 by Harry Hall Cycles, Cathedral Street, Manchester to G. Thompson of Wirral.
Cost of frame: Ł105

Frame/Fork
Material: Reynolds 753T double butted metric gauge, code 801, 0.3mm wall
Braze ons: gear cable stop on chainstay, single cable guide on driveside bb top shell, down tube water bottle cage bosings.
Drop outs: Campagnolo 1010B short
Bottom bracket: RGF
Finish: refinished per the original, gold lacquer, block Raleigh letters in black on downtube and seat tube bands in the Raleigh racing colours of red/yellow/black. Raleigh headbadge sticker. Raleigh Special Built Unit stickers on chainstays.
Size: seat tube 57.5 cm (c to c), 59.5 cm (c to t) top tube 57 cm (c to c)
Chain stay length: 16.5" (centr

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