We are happy to answer technical questions by email but please:
Do not write or phone us to ask the age or value of your bike.
All of the information we have on that is on this Web page or on SheldonBrown.com/raleigh.html
Raleigh Bicycle Serial Numbers
Also see information at Kurt Kaminer's Headbadge site.
- Where is the serial number on my bike? The serial number is located on the underside of the frame where the pedals and crank arms attach. You most likely will need to flip your bike over. Look for a string of letters and numbers. The serial number is usually formatted like U1 or DAY16A123456. What do I do if my product has a problem?
- Date Raleigh by serial number? Detailed identification pages for steel Raleigh USA racing-series models are planned. Here are the years that Raleigh took over various 3-speed companies. Group, which may help to narrow down a given frame's era: It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial.
Denmark's Bicycle VIN/dating system
Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest. It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age.
Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest. It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age.
I saw a list of the Raleigh serial numbers recently and those numbers with the letters certainly ring a bell for that sort of period. EDIT: Just looked it up (Sheldon Brown), and yes, the 'P' is for 1947-49, but those are with 6 digit numbers, not five, so. Anyway, the Sturmey Archer AW hub has a 65 12 hub date, indicating December 1965 build, so I think of the bike as a 1966 model. I looked up Sheldon Brown's Raleigh serial number dating page and checked my bike, but guess what? It doesn't match. For a bike of about 1966 there are several possibilities for what the serial number should look like. The remaining numbers of the serial number have believed to be the production numbers for that month, but due to ridiculously high numbers given this is said to be practically impossible to produce. There could be some truth in it but as of yet no one knows for sure.
| Sturmey-Archer Hubs | 1988 - 1925 | 1925 - WWII | WWII - 1955 | 1955 - 1966 | 1967 - 1973 | 1972 - 1980's | 1980's - Present |
Sturmey-Archer Hubs
Almost all English 3-speeds have Sturmey-Archer rear hubs. Sturmey-Archer was a division of Raleigh, made many different models since 1902, and were still in business until October, 2000. The company was sold to a group of money manipulators who shut it down in hope of making a quick profit by selling off the assets. The Taiwanese company Sunrace bought the equipment, stock and rights to the name and is back in business.Most older Sturmey-Archer hubs have two or three-letter model codes, which are usually stamped onto the hub shell. Conveniently, they also usually have the month and the last two digits of the year of manufacture stamped onto the shell. This is the easiest way to date a 3-speed bicycle, if it has its original rear wheel.
1888-1925
Prior to 1925, genuine Raleighs (not necessarily brand names made by Raleigh) had a straightforward numerical frame number. Early years have been estimated by the Company. (Info from the Nottinghamshire Archives)
Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest. It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age.
Dating Raleigh Bikes
| 1888: 1500 1889: 3200 1890: 5200 1891: 7600 1892: 10500 1893: 13900 1894: 19100 1895: 25300 1896: 32100 1897: 39913 | 1898: 45981 1899: 54032 1900: 65152 1900: 69868 1901: 77342 1902: 89622 1903: 102954 1904: 112673 1905: 129228 1906: 154917 | 1907: 183073 1908: 215650 1909: 249081 1910: 285669 1911: 328748 1912: 375693 1913: 427829 1914: 482851 1915: 517198 1916: 545198 | 1917: 569737 1918: 592473 1919: 621678 1920: 654502 1921: 688291 1922: 738447 1923: 809184 1924: 899465 1925: 998077 |
1925-Second World War
Between 1925 and the cessation of cycle production during the Second World War, letters prefixed or suffixed the running frame number although no indication is given of the starting point of the numbers. They seem to reflect only the number of machines produced whilst each letter was in use. All dating would therefore be approximate. (Info from the Nottinghamshire Archives)
| 1925: A1 1925: B34181 1926/27: B56536 1929: E15693 1930: G94785 1933: L84682 | 1934: T93945 1934: U14540 1935: W71147 1936: W93161 1937: Y184552 |
Post Second World War - 1955
After the war, Raleigh began adding letters after the running number series which restarted when a new letter was used. (Info from the Nottinghamshire Archives)
| 1947: 437689 P 1948: 556894 P 1949: 695051 P 1951: 151179 T 1952: 236530 T | 1953: 367369 T 1954: 566722 T 1955: 747951 T 1956: 852312 T 1957: 872584 T |
1955 - 1966
A new numbering system was introduced in 1955, though this ran concurrently with the old one for two years. The new system involved a second running letter, added to the first, which began at the start of the alphabet.
| 1956: 23839 A 1957: 27227 AB 1958: 17910 AD 1960: 27273 AE | 1961: 13126 AF 1965/6: 40814 FD 1966: 64521 FE |
Note: Some of the mid-60's straight gauge 531 frames had serial numbers starting with a single letter which was towards the end of the alphabet.
1967 - 1973
Vintage Raleigh Bicycle
Yet another number system was introduced in 1966. This new system applied to the high-end (i.e. Reynolds 531) frames, and involved the placing of a character at the beginning of the serial number. The character began at the start of the alphabet, and indicated year of manufacture. Detail about the numerals that follow the alphabet are sketchy, and are presumably sequential serial numbers of some kind.
1966: A, followed by four numerals | 1970: E, followed by four numerals |
Note: While this numbering scheme is generally true, there may have been some crossover use of letters at the beginning/end of each year (e.g. a 'G' serial number may have been built into a bike in 1973, but the frame may have been built in 1972).
1974 - 1980's
In 1974, an entirely different numbering system was introduced for the higher end (531 and subsequently 753) Raleighs. Serial numbers should begin with a 'W', which stands for Worksop, the facility that produced these frames. This is followed by another alphabet. This alphabet indicates the fortnight in which the frame was built (i.e. A = 1st fortnight, B = 2nd, etc.). The third character is always a numeral. It indicates the year of manufacture, the decade being assumed (i.e. '4' could be '74 or '84; it is up to the interpreter to know enough to tell if the frame is from the 70's or 80's). What then follows is a series of numbers. At this point, these appear to be some sort of sequence, but this has not been substantiated.
American made Raleighs manufactured in Kent, Washington, By Derby Cycle
Sample number: R 003310123A
- R (all)
- Digits 1 & 5 are year. Sample is from 2001
- Digits 2,3,4 are day (001-365). Sample is from February 2
- Digits 6-9 are sequential. Sample is the 123rd bike built that shift.
- A = morning shift B= evening shift. Sample is morning shift.
Letter code may or may not be present, depending on production schedule.
- The 531DB Gran Sports built in the early 70's did not have letters in the serial number.
- Frames built at the Ilkeston facility have serial numbers that begin with 'SB'.
- The 1973 track frames begin with an 'A'.
- There are several documented cases of '73 and '74 Professionals, Internationals, Competitions and RRAs with 'A' serial numbers. Let the color scheme, decals and components be your guide.
We are happy to answer technical questions by email but please:
Date Raleigh by serial number? Detailed identification pages for steel Raleigh USA racing-series models are planned. Here are the years that Raleigh took over various 3-speed companies. Group, which may help to narrow down a given frame's era: It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age.
Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest. The following dated bicycle frame numbers from the Singer Car Club (not guaranteed): 1903 â 142069. Note: Some of the mid-60's straight gauge 531 frames had serial numbers starting with a single letter which was towards the end of the alphabet. This is the easiest way to date a 3-speed bicycle, if it has its original rear wheel. Some manufacturers use a date-code as part of the serial number. A = 1st fortnight, B = 2nd, etc.). In the same year, mudguards received a forward extension. If you search for 1234, you will only find bikes with serial numbers of 1234 and serials close to that - not a bike with serial number of 12345689. The best chance at recovering a stolen bicycle is having a registered serial number. All the old brochures for Raleigh (upper quality) bikes show chrome clamps for the brake cable.The only Raleigh I can find that has brazed cable guides is the Raleigh Racing Team frames. Qualities of the frame and bicycle rather than that 3 digit number.BEESTON HUMBER FRAME NUMBER DATING.
Bicycles (except children's bicycles) are almost always required to have a frame or serial number.
1909 â 232178. 2. NOTE: This numbering system apparently ran until 1955, possibly longer, and concurrently with the newer serial system that debuted in 1948 (shown below). Posts about Raleigh Serial Numbers written by Neil McGowran. A couple of days ago I posted an inquiry about a Raleigh steel frame I have that has been painted by amateurs, and has no decals or anything on it. So looks like a 1980 July model I think, the gear wires are above the bottom bracket. Raleighs of any model may be seen with either serial number type during this era. Neither it is not out of the question that other letters may exist, representing Raleigh's other factories. RALEIGH FRAME NUMBER DATING. 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. Most older Sturmey-Archer hubs have two or three-letter model codes, which are usually stamped onto the hub shell.
'4' could be '74 or '84; it is up to the interpreter to know enough to tell if the frame is from the 70's or 80's). In 1974, an entirely different numbering system was introduced for the higher end (531 and subsequently 753) Raleighs. It appears that Raleigh recycled many of the older serial numbers in later years, so there are lots of bikes from the 60s and 70s that have serial numbers that would suggest much greater age.Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest. The company had been taking steps to make it harder for makers of cheap bicycles to copy Please allow for overlap. 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. Make your next bike a Raleigh bike. Both of these systems are often covered deep in paint - do not be surprised if you only find 5 or 6 digits! For example, a Brompton uses YYMMXXX as their serial code, so a Brompton with a serial number of 1306123456 was manufactured in 2013.06 or June 2013 If not, the bicycle is no older than the latest component, but you will have to estimate the age (e.g., early 70s). MY NOTES: 1.The Raleigh Heron Head transfer was introduced in 1908. U.K. and export production serials may vary - conversely, they may not.
Note that the serial number information below is fragmentary and incomplete, and many bikes have proven to be much newer than the serial numbers would suggest.
Raleigh Serial Number
Raleigh Serial Number Lookup
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