1971 Raleigh
Professional MK III

I had been riding an original '74 Raleigh Pro as my primary ride for my 20 mile commute. One afternoon in September '04, I was struck by a driver who ran a red light. The insurance company has offered me a generous settlement of $250 for my trashed Pro. I guess they think it's a Huffy. Thank you, Allstate, but no thanks. It's pretty obvious that your adjusters don't ride bikes.

I bought this frame as a replacement for the bent '74. The serial # dates it to 1971 and it is very similar to the one Charlie Klarsfeld rode when he and I toured to Quebec and back from Albany, NY in 1974. I was riding a Cinelli Mod. B with sewups. Ah, those were the days.

This frame appears to be a very uncommon Mk III Pro. Among the more unusual features of this bike are the presence of fender eyelets and 5-speed rear axle spacing. It was originally sold in California and lived there until I purchased it. The frame is in very nice shape for its age. The photos of the frameset show the as-purchased condition. The photos of the completed bike show it setup as my new commuter. Hardcore preservationists will drool over the brake levers with the round access holes and will perhaps forgive the SL pedals. I'll be installing the correct steel Campy pedals with strap loops when I get a chance to rebuild them. Thanks to Steve Maasland for the correct 3TTT stem. For some reason, the Evian company, which imported 3TTT to England for Raleigh, insisted on stamping their name on the stems they sold them.

Eagle eyes will note the extra holes in the rear derailleur. In the '70s, it became popular to lighten stock components by drilling and filing. I fell prey to this "Drillium" craze and attacked the changers from my first Campy bike. I lightened the front mech so much it broke. In assembling this bike, I have tried, as much as practical, to use components built between 1970 and 1972 and to stick to those parts that match its original specifications. The Blackburn rack and Esge fenders are not period correct, but they're from the '70s and this is a rider, after all.

Later models had a CC cutout in BB

Photo doesn't show it well, but small rivets on Brooks Pro saddle are an earlier style than found on later, non-Team saddles.