Category: Reynolds 531 Special Lightweight (531 SL)

SB4933 1981 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 531SL Road Frame – New Arrival

Neil McGowran on October 17, 2017

SB4933 1981 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 531SL TI-Raleigh Chromed

I’ve started a few blog posts recently with the words “I received an email…”; and this story is the same. Late on a Sunday evening I received a couple of emails with several images attached and then an email summarising very clearly what the frame was and what seemed like a comprehensive  history. “Would you be interested in buying the frame?” My response was “Yes”, and after arranging to meet up, SB4933 came home with me. Read More

SB5084 1982 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Team Cyclo Cross Reynolds 531SL – Clean Up

Neil McGowran on August 6, 2017

SB5084 1982 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 531SL Team Cyclo Cross Cleaned

It’s been a busy week. Two SBDU frames have been received, unpacked, documented and blogged. SB1500 was intriguing, it didn’t need any clean up at all, I’ve left it exactly how it arrived; the story with that frame was amazing. While I was blogging about that frame, SB5084 was sitting in the corner crying out for some TLC, so with a couple of days over the weekend, I got the polishing cloths and rust treatment out in a bid to try and banish a decade or more of neglect and decay. Read More

SB5084 1982 SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh Team Cyclo Cross Reynolds 531SL – New Arrival

Neil McGowran on August 2, 2017

SB5084 1982 SBDU Ilkeston Reynolds 531SL Team Cyclo Cross Frame and Fork

I’ve been searching and looking to expand my collection into new areas for as long as I’ve been collecting these frames. Up until now I’ve accumulated a good selection of the types of frame that the Specialist Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) produced. I’ve got beautiful examples of Road, Track, Time Trial and Randonneur. I even have one of the most rare frames produced by the SBDU, one of their ‘Specials’, a 753 Dynaflite. But some types have been elusive! An SBDU Cyclo Cross frame is one type that just doesn’t seem to exist… but I’ve finally managed to find one. Read More

1982 Shimano 600AX Series Team 531SL SB4944 TI-Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston

Neil McGowran on July 19, 2016

SBDU TI-Raleigh Ilkeston 531SL SB4944 1982 Shimano Aerodynamics

This build is moving quickly at the moment which is remarkable for me! I’ve got a Shimano 600AX group that will complement this frame beautifully… Read More

1982 TI-Raleigh Team 531SL Road SB4944 SBDU Ilkeston New Arrival

Neil McGowran on July 12, 2016

SB4944 531SL SBDU Ilkeston TI-Raleigh 1982

I have a new arrival in the collection. There have been a few frames available lately but I’ve resisted buying them as they didn’t fit the ‘wanted list‘. But, after seeing the images for this frame, I had a hunch that this one did fit the list. So without asking any questions of the seller, without even knowing the SB frame number, and going off pictures alone, I tested my visual and technical knowledge on SBDU frames and bought it on a hunch. My hunches normally pay off, I’ve acquired some beautiful frames based on hunches so hopefully this one does too! Time to check and measure… Read More

SB5464 SBDU Ilkeston TI Raleigh Time Trial Special Bottom Bracket

Neil McGowran on July 22, 2015

SBDU TI Raleigh Ilkeston SB5464 Time Trial Special OMAS Titanium Bottom Bracket Ceramic Bearings

I’ve had a British threaded Omas Titanium bottom bracket with rather nasty bearings in the parts box for a little while and I thought it would be perfect for this build. Read More

SB5464 SBDU Ilkeston TI Raleigh Time Trial Special Headset

Neil McGowran on July 9, 2015

SBDU TI Raleigh Ilkeston SB5464 Time Trial Special Stronglight A9 Roller Bearing Headset Assembly

After deciding to build this frame, I still have to decide on which parts to use. Do I stick with Campagnolo Super Record or do I go with something different like early Dura-Ace 7100/7200 DA-200? Read More

Which TI-Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Time Trial Special Should I Build

Neil McGowran on July 3, 2015

Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Time Trial Special Dimension Measurements H Reference

Decisions, decisions…

It’s nice being in this position and having this dilemma. I know lots of SBDU collectors who would like to be in this position too. Read More

The Significance of the SBDU H Reference Frame Number

Neil McGowran on May 15, 2015

Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Time Trial Special 753 1978 SB2692 H591 Frame Numbers

Realistically, there may not be many ‘original owners’ of SBDU frames – I.E. those people who still own an SBDU frame that they ordered and bought for themselves from Ilkeston. There may be even fewer original owners who have a frame with an ‘H’ reference. Read More

SBDU Ilkeston Time Trial Special Reynolds 531 Special Lightweight 1982 SB5464

Neil McGowran on April 6, 2015

Raleigh SBDU Ilkeston Time Trial Special 1982 SB5464 Frame Details

I have a few SBDU frames and recently decided that if I’m going to add to the collection, it had to be something different to the red/black/yellow ‘Team’ livery frame. Read More

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