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Raleigh Serial Numbers & Charts: Dating your Raleigh
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Convention #1
Serial location:
Serial convention:
Convention #1 (1947-1955):
NOTE: This numbering system apparently ran until 1955, possibly longer, and concurrently with the newer serial system that debuted in 1948 (shown below). Raleighs of any model may be seen with either serial number type during this era.
Convention #2 (1948-195?):
Convention #3 (1954-?):
NOTE:
The entirety of the second serial chart is of our own research and are estimates - as accurate we can practically make them - of the serial numbers from the year and serial in question. |
Convention #1 (1947-1955):
Convention #2 (1948-1955):
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In addition to the two serial types above, a third system appears to have been established in 1955, or at the earliest, 1954; terminating in the early-mid '60s - the most recent example I have on hand is from 1962, though I suspect the official cutoff may date to 1963 or '64.
This system follows a similar pattern to Convention #2 above, and uses a prefix or suffic of "RA" or "RB," followed by 4 or 5 digits, but never exceeding 5. Location is on the side of the seat lug, as with the earlier serials above.
By 1961/62, an additional-single letter suffix was added, presumably as an identifier of the factory the frame was produced, for every single example I've seen is represented by the letter "N," which is not unreasonable to assume stands for Nottingham. Neither it is not out of the question that other letters may exist, representing Raleigh's other factories.
One may assume that "RA" serial numbers began with "RA00001" (or RA1000), and continue until "RA 99999 N," at which point the system was reset to "RB 00001 N" (or RB 10000 N). This seems to have happened around 1962, and it is reasonable to assume that all "RB" symbols represent bikes produced post-1961.
1963-1969 BB serial
Serial convention: This serial system replaced the "RA" series that preceeded it and was the first major system to use numerals exclusively. The system consists of a seven-digit serial - beginning with #1000000 in 1963 - running up to the #4600000-#4800000 range by 1969, at which point, it was discontinued. EXCEPTION: This system is NOT to be confused with the seat-tube system which replaced it in 1970; which ran until 1973. Numbers will be duplicated between each system.
Serial location: These serials will be located on the bottom bracket on both ladies' and men's Superbes, Sprites, and Sports. The extent of this system's use on other models is unknown.
BB photo courtesy "w1gfh" - Bikeforums.net
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1963-1969 BB serial:
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Serial convention: At present, I have insufficent information about the serial numbers from this era to construct a definite chart of every example used during this time period. At least 4 or 5 different systems were used. I have uncovered two of them to a reasonable extent; both of which ran concurrently to each other during this time period:
"System 1970:"
EXCEPTIONS: Evidence indicates that a handful of '70-'71 frames - or their lugs, depending on when the stamping was done - may not have been released from the factory until 1973, and were consequently decaled as 1973 models. This is the only explanation I can suggest regarding this issue.
"System 1972:"
This system INCLUDES the Grand Prix and Super Course, despite the seven-digit serials (as mentioned in the next system, below) running concurrently on these models.
Serial location: The serials from this era, specifically for general production machines (Sports, Superbe, Sprite), will be located on the seat lug. Twenty/Folders will have the serial marked on the outside of the left dropout, and some Grand Prix models have it in this location as well. Unknown where they are located on DL-1s. Keep in mind that the serials used for Raleigh Choppers - while apparently a nearly identical 7-digit system - do not corrispond well with those of the larger bicycles. For now, it should be assumed that the Choppers' serial system is separate (until proven otherwise). Men's models will have the stamping on the top of the lug, ladies' frames will have the serial stamped to the front of the lug.
Addendums and warnings: Both of these systems are often covered deep in paint - do not be surprised if you only find 5 or 6 digits! Given the obvious duplication of serials with bikes produced prior to 1970, we suggest that you use the frame's decals as a supplimentary era guide - please visit our Raleigh Sports Visual ID page for this purpose.
Please understand that this particular chart is a rough draft. Use in conjunction with Sturmey-Archer rear hubs and frameset decals as additional guides. All of the serial cutoffs are approximated. Please allow for overlap. |
System "1970":
System "1972":
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Serial convention: An additional 7-digit serial system was used in 1973, appearing only on the Grand Prix (including Gazelle production), Super Course, and Grand Sports. These serials are instantly recognizable, as the first digit is always zero, and low-number serials (i.e., "9181") will have a prefix of as many zeros required to make the serial seven digits - in other words, "0009181" - such as the example Grand Sports shown above. Keep in mind that this serial system - though used on these three models in 1973 - are not unique to them during this year. Some examples may use one of the two systems listed above, or the later 1973+ variant.
Serial location: Outside of left dropout.
Grand Prix dropout photo courtesy "ianbrettcooper" - Bikeforums.net
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Serial system:
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Serial location:
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Serial convention: Two letters, followed by a series of six digits:
Example: A cycle manufactured in Nottingham, in the month of March of the year 1975, would feature the serial "ND5------." For instance, the photo shown above, to the left, bears the serial "NL9------," indicating a machine made in August 1979, at the Nottingham factory. The example to the left is "WR0------," which would indicate Worksop manufacture in November of 1980 (and most likely a 1981 model due to the late month).
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Used only on Japanese and Taiwanese frames, plus the Nottingham Team Pro "555".
Serial location:
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Serial convention:
First digit of serial = year (e.g.: "4"=1984) Second digit (letter) of serial = ? (e.g.: "?"=?) Third digit of serial = ? (e.g.: "?"=?)
Note:
Detailed identification pages for steel Raleigh USA racing-series models are planned.
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SBDU serials are sequential, and do not indicate year or date of manufacture. Use the decals and components of the frame as your guide. All SBDU frames were built in Raleigh's Ilkeston factory. Alternately, a photo registry of SBDU Team Professionals can be found at the TI Raleigh Team Professional Yahoo! Group, which may help to narrow down a given frame's era: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TI_RALEIGH_TEAM_PROS/
Serial Location:
SBDU serial photo courtesy Hilary Stone |
Serial convention:
"SB" followed by four numbers, sequential to production order.
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