1972 Raleigh Professional Track DL-175

Fired you a PM on the matter. Wish you would throw up a shot of your sample.

Guess you didn't explore the photos link posted above; see second sentence within. It's a "G" which dates it to a '72. There have been a number of Raleighs with frame colors that don't jibe with the brochures/models. This frame was built in '72 but with a later 73-74 team paint job. I've spent some time researching the Raleighs of this era, starting with focus on the Worksop Professional series, inspired by my '74 Pro. Jumped to your velospace hoping to see some photos, even if just of the frame. As for the parts search, they actually are not that hard to source with some careful saved searches via eBay or even CL. You could probably source the entire build in a matter of weeks or months at most, although there's a good chance that cost is going to be more bothersome than time to locate. Look forward to seeing your completed Pro Track (or even the frame). It's a wonderful ride.

Thanks for the comments here. I actually think the Fixed Gear movement has done a great deal to promote love of the bicycle and get a huge faction interested in the beauty and essence of the bike. Of course, the movement has gotten so trendy, that it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't, then again, it's been the same way for many things. That being said, the track bike and fixed gear/single-speed ride is perhaps the most pure form of bike and I think the most beautiful, sans gears, cables, and other distractions. Well, let's not get too carried away....

I had been looking for a 73-74 team colors Raleigh Pro Track for longer than I care to admit... This beast popped up and was actually in amazingly good shape, even though it could have been run with the other lot of 20-25 Raleigh Professional Tracks ordered by a shop in the Pacific Northwest for racing at Marymoor velodrome. Many are still in the area. Indeed, I think the largest collection of 73-74 team color Raleigh Professional Tracks ARE in the Northwest. Mine was found abandoned in a dorm in Eugene, OR minus the seat and pedals. The previous owner carted it around and it ended up in Idaho, hardly ridden from 89 on. I brought it to the East coast and it's been cherished ever since. It does have a few touch ups from the 89 and back owner(s). Viewed at 10 inches, you can see some spots, but it's in amazing shape, fully preserved from the day. I ride it every chance I get. Sadly, a spoke let go in the rear Ergal, and I almost folded the damn wheel (would have if not at start up). Amazingly, it's come out nicely with a complete rebuild with DT Comp 1.8/1.6/1.8 spokes. I now have another backup set of NOS Ergals and a Red Label (just in case) for the rear. As you know, I Love your bikes as well!

Loved the comment, especially the classic line about the 75 team colors resembling a "commercial for communism" along with the "ugly and proud" follow-up. Heh...perfect. I hopped on your space and saw your ride and have to say you need to be PROUD of the McDonalds-esque tribute because it has a ton of character and is recognizable from two football fields by the right bunch. Seriously, it's an amazing bike, as you know, and I came oh so close to buying a Ti Team color Reynolds 753 frame. But glad I finally found this beast. You don't know how long I looked for this frame, waiting to find one in my size, akin to waiting for my tax refund but worse. They are as rare as hen's teeth and this happens to be the first and only one I've seen in PERSON...and AFTER I bought it from afar. I'm right with you on the ride as it's just superb. I have some fine road bikes and this has to be my favorite ride as it's so damn light yet still stiff, retaining great feel. I love this thing. Looking forward to seeing how your Pro Track turns out as it's a looker as well. Those colors grow on you, actually. But I have to admit, the 73-74 option is probably one of the all-time most classic looking, elegant track bikes, even if quite a few have no idea. Keep in touch.

Hey thanks. I have already tracked down the rest of the Italian/Brit parts and they're on the way. Campy seatpost, pedals, brooks saddle and cinelli #14 drops (I'll have to refinish the drops, they're pretty bad. The stem is the last hold out, I have a sugino stem thats fluted on the sides, looks great but I am going to track down a 1A just to keep it legit. I really hope I don't have any problems like you did with my wheels. They're campy victory crono tubulars on 36 hole campy pista hubs JUST BUILT and all NOS. At 160 I usually don't have to worry about breaking stuff as long as I'm not abusing it. Anyway there really is something to feeling this old engineering beneath you, its like a living, breathing history lesson. Seriously, I think the Reynolds 531 has much to do with it. -Sugary_Otis-Sugary_Otis

Thanks for the comments on this beast. It's funny how the totally classic, vintage tracks with
insanely nice wheels/campy builds don't get as much attention as Deep V festooned samples
with less quality options. So goes it in the Fixed Gear World as we know it. On your end, I know
of a @53cm Pro Track in Northern CA. The guy has it in his attic and raced it quite a bit at Marymoor,
in Redmond, WA, way back when. Seems a local WA bike shop bought a handful of early Raleigh
Pro Tracks in anticipation of Marymoor. I believe my bike came from that same flock,
probably raced in Washington back in the days, now on the East Coast.
I would love to get this back on the track.

I love that Cinelli stem and bar combo, too. Although I have nothing against Japanese track parts (indeed, they make some excellent frames), this bike is all British and Italian, with the chain being the last holdout.

officially stupid. this is one of the nicest bikes on this site.

.

Pearls before swine...

It's only mentioned twice in the notes and specs. Remember, reading is your friend. It's worn out with a few botched links, thus it BINDS unless a hint of slack, Jackalope. But as BOB says, Give me Slack, or kill me.

it doesn't look like a loose chain to me, maybe you updated the pictures

the chain is not supposed to be super tight

btw, IMO, you have 2 of the coolest bikes all time in your 70s raleigh pro road bike and this track bike. Another favorite of mine is an early 70s raleigh international.

From his other posts, I believe Double 6's crashed his non-fixie frame by running his chain too loose, so he's trying to be helpful.

Was checking in to see how my old ride was doing. Sorry to hear a spoke went out on you, but sure glad the wheel didn't taco and you were able to save it. Much safer with the new DT DB's.

I sure miss that bike, but realize it's getting the love and use it deserves.

Ride on!

That's what I said when I took it for the inaugural spin... It's the lightest bike I own by a significant margin, as you would expect any track bike, but this thing is berserk with the Fiamme Ergals.

That's my original Selle San Marco Concor Supercorsa Confort and an aesthetic favorite for sure. It's been on every bike I own at one time or another and I have to admit, it does look excellent on the Raleigh Pro Track. Was just after the Brooks Professional to get it back to original but it already has Cinelli bars/stem along with the uber-light Fiamme Ergals, both upgrades in my book, but not what came with the bike, so maybe it's not such a bad idea to stay. That black Concor takes turns on my De Rosa, however. Right now, I'm loving it on this beast as well.