1986 Raleigh (USA) Technium 440

This is the latest in a long line of errand bikes which I have traditionally and somewhat affectionately referred to using the endearing term "SlopCycle" (...in a counter-culture style mocking of the yachting set, I have seen fit to reference them individually with an appropriate Roman numeral being appended to their moniker, thus rendering this particular example "SlopCycle XIII"). These are the bikes that I tend to view as dispassionately as I might given their primarily utilitarian intent - the type of bike that I use and abuse without much regard for its long term prospects (...you know, ride it around in inclement weather, lock it up in a public bike rack, keep it in the garage until the winter temperatures drop to a point where the bottom bracket grease begins to solidify, use it to run errands when I could otherwise drive but would prefer the saddle time, loan it out for temporary use to visiting friends and family, etc.). I hesitate to call these bikes disposable, however, only because I would still be mightily disappointed to suddenly find my dear "SlopCycle" had disappeared at the hands of the unscrupulous (...although, better it than one of my other bikes, thank you very much).

Generally speaking, whenever my "SlopCycle" de jour is getting a little long in the tooth, or I simply get tired of riding the current example, I begin to keep an eye out at various garage / estate sales and the like for a suitable replacement with the self imposed stipulation that any purchase not exceed a total of $50.00 (...which tends to make the whole process rather fun and a bit of a challenge since I am not inclined to ride just ANYTHING). In contrast to that scenario, this acquisition was completely unscheduled and unplanned. However, it was something that I just could not pass up – a 1986 Raleigh (USA) Technium 440 which had only been ridden outside and down a driveway a couple of times after receipt as a Christmas gift way back when. Less than one month later, the young son of the couple who had purchased the bike was subsequently killed in a farming accident (…a very sad story, indeed). Thereafter, the bike sat around in a barn for twenty years until the family finally found itself motivated to part with it while in the process of holding a large moving sale. Needless to say, it was in “like new” condition with respect to wear and tear (…the tires, chain rings, derailleur cages, even the brake pads and braking surface on the rims appeared unused), although there were a few cosmetic issues begot of casual storage over the years along with a LOT of dirt and residue which had accumulated as a result of being kept in a barn. After stripping the bike bare for a thorough cleaning and proper refurbishing including re-truing the wheels which had spokes as loose as a goose, I ended up replacing the bottom bracket (…it had frozen almost solid after having been put together WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF GREASE IN THE BEARINGS!!!), the seat post (…because I needed to move the saddle higher than the original post could accommodate), the tires and tubes (…because there was NO WAY I was going trust those twenty year old ones on the bike – even though they looked like new and still held air very nicely), the brake calipers and levers (…due to the fact that I had a nice set of lightly used vintage Gran Compe’s having a suitable right hand side pull sitting around in the parts bin), brake cables, hoods, bar tape, pedals, clips, and straps (…since this bike will be used with street shoes, MKS platforms with clips were my choice here in keeping with the predominantly Japanese componentry), chain (…it was simply not worth my time to try and clean up the original), and swapping out the saddle for my well worn, tried and true, but ever so comfortable Selle San Marco Girardi Regal that has graced many a previous edition of "SlopCycle".

Before I went about attaching other accoutrements in the form of front and rear full fenders, racks, bags and panniers, a handlebar bag, lights, frame pump, and other bits that will ultimately have her looking like the Clydesdale she is destined to be, I hauled my newly refurbished "SlopCycle XIII" outside the garage for her official debut run and also to take a few photographs. I am afraid that she will likely never again look quite this good. And just why would I bother to post these pictures so prominently on the internet for all to see? I reason that some of the "cycling snob" types out there might get a good chuckle over the whole thing (…You’re riding a what? Raleigh USA? Weren’t those Technium aluminum and steel frames just glued together? Yeeeew...). Call it my perverse sense of humor indulging in a bit of reverse snobbery.

TYPE:
12 speed - "lightweight" sport / touring type - 1986 model Technium 440 - serial number R825260081

SIZE:
23.25 inches or 59 cm : 590 mm (physical seat tube C-t-T) - 570 mm (physical top tube C-t-C) - 440 mm (chainstay) - 105 cm (wheelbase) - 266 mm (bottom bracket height) - 70 mm (bottom bracket drop) - 33.5 inches (standover height with 27 inch wheelset) - 450 mm (trail) - 50 degree (fork rake) - 73 degree (head tube angle) - 73 degree (seat tube angle)

COLOR:
Metallic Teal / Turquoise with Metallic Silver head tube

FRAME:
Heat treated ALCOA Aluminum 6013-T6 frame main tubes (seat tube, down tube, top tube - straight gauge 1 1/4" o.d. with 0.049" wall thickness) - interference fit and thermally bonded to internal steel lug bands using a proprietary epoxy developed by Boeing - CrMo alloy steel head tube - 68 mm bottom bracket shell - 1.370” x 24 TPI English threaded bottom bracket shell (non-drive side - right threading / drive side - left threading) - CrMo alloy steel rear stays brazed into bottom bracket shell and seat lug - internal top tube brake cable routing - threaded / bonded fittings for shift levers and single water bottle - braze-on fittings for derailleur cable guides and chain hanger - forged horizontal rear dropouts with rack eyelets / standard 10 mm x 26 TPI threaded derailleur hanger and locating notch / spring tensioned adjustment screws - 126 mm dropout spacing - Manufactured in Kent, Washington (...a suburb located just south of Seattle)

FORK:
CrMo alloy steel - 1" (25.4 mm) x 24 TPI English threaded steer tube - forged steel fork crown - forged vertical dropouts with dual rack eyelets (fore / aft)

HEADSET:
YST - threaded headset - 1" (25.4 mm) x 24 TPI English thread - chrome plated steel - sealed mechanism - 1/8" ball bearings with metal retainers - model 8001

STEM:
Sakae / Ringyo (SR) - aluminum alloy - 22.2 mm quill - 25.4 mm size clamp - 100 mm length - single bolt "hidden" non-quick release - model Custom

HANDLEBARS:
Sakae / Ringyo (SR) - aluminum alloy without logo etching - traditional non-anatomic profile - 25.4 mm clamp sizing - 42 cm C-t-C / 125 mm reach / 155 mm drop - model Custom Road Champion : Nashbar - deluxe cork handlebar tape - self adhesive backing - White - model NS-DCT-W : Velox - handlebar end plugs - slotted head screw in attachment - post circa 1983 "small" Velox logo - Black

BOTTOM BRACKET:
Shimano - sealed cartridge type bottom bracket for 68 mm shell - steel spindle - square taper - 122 mm symmetrical without offset - 1.370” x 24 TPI English threaded cups with 20 tooth internally splined interface - removable composite ring left side (right threading) / fixed steel flange right side (left threading) : steel crank bolts with integral washers - 14 mm head - model BB-UN53

CRANKSET:
Sakae / Ringyo (SR) - 110 mm BCD - 52/40 chain rings / aluminum alloy 52t ring model SR-307 / steel 40t ring model SR-352 - 170 mm Clear anodized forged alloy arms / drive side arm having integrated chain "roll-off" pin marked with date code 85-1 for 1985 / non-drive side arm marked with date code 86-A for 1986 / 9/16" x 20 TPI pedal threads - 22 mm x 1 mm threaded alloy caps - model SAC-310 : stainless steel protective pedal washers

CHAIN:
KMC 1/2” x 3/32” (12.7 mm x 2.38 mm) 7.1 mm narrow profile - bushingless design - "Z" bridge shaped outer plates - chamfered inner plates - hardened pins - model Z51 (116 links) : SRAM PowerLink connector

HUBSET:
Sakae / Ringyo (SR) - quick release hubs - small flange design - Clear anodized aluminum alloy barrels and flanges - 36h front hub (100 mm spacing) - 36h rear hub (126 mm spacing) - 1.370” x 24 TPI English freewheel thread - C.P.S.C. compliant curved handle QR mechanisms with knurled adjusters - model CRH-310

RIMS:
Araya - satin finish aluminum alloy without eyelets - 20 mm section - hooked bead rim profile - smooth / non-machined braking surfaces - 27" clincher - drilled for Schrader valves - 36h front / 36h rear - rim etch reading “ARAYA 27 x 1 1/4 W/O JAPAN” adjacent the valve stem hole - model SP30 : Wheels Manufacturing - Presta stem adapter - model PSS-1

SPOKES:
Daido Kogyo - galvanized steel - straight taper / non-butted - 14 gauge or 2.0 mm - laced three cross : Daido Kogyo tin-nickel plated brass nipples

TIRES:
Kenda - 27" x 1 1/4" (ISO 630-32) - black with gum sidewall - steel wire bead clincher design - raised center tread - model K-35-06 : Pyramid - PVC inner tube - 27" x 1 3/8" / 700 x 35/42 - Presta valve - model 63064

FREEWHEEL:
SunTour Perfect - 14/28 (14-16-18-21-24-28) 6 speed - 2 notch removal interface - 1.370” x 24 TPI English thread - 3x3 stepped body - 3 four notch slip fit cogs with spacers / 3 individually threaded cogs - model Perfect

SHIFT LEVERS:
Shimano "Z" series - 22.2 mm clamp-on - stem mount - friction style - twin control levers with integrated cable guides - aluminum alloy levers with chrome plated steel clamp - model SL-Z401-S

FRONT DERAILLEUR:
Shimano "Z" series - 31.8 mm clamp-on mount - aluminum alloy body with forged alloy link - heat treated steel cage - bottom pull design - maximum 28t rear cog / 6t minimum rear cog - model FD-Z206

REAR DERAILLEUR:
Shimano "Z" series - medium cage - aluminum alloy bracket and body plate - steel link and pulley plate - twin return springs - brass bushings in link pivots - maximum 28t rear cog / 30t front to rear differential - model RD-Z503

BRAKE LEVERS:
Dia-Compe - Compe-G series - standard non-aero cable routing - aluminum alloy bodies - factory "drilled" Clear anodized aluminum alloy lever blades - low friction without return spring - model 144G : Dia-Compe rubber hoods - Brown - model 144.7/BR

BRAKE CALIPERS:
Dia-Compe / Gran Compe - 47 mm to 57 mm reach - single pivot "right-handed" side pull design - cold forged aluminum alloy construction - Clear anodized finish - non-recessed hex nut mount - quick release mechanism - "Campy" style GC-64 barrel adjusters - coated wheel guides at the brake shoes - model GC-500 : generic replacement 45 mm brake shoes - aluminum alloy shoes / stainless steel hardware : Kool-Stop "Mathauser" iron oxide compound brake pads - model KS-CRSA

PEDALS:
MKS - platform style pedals - CrMo steel spindles - aluminum alloy spindle housings and central frame with rear kick tab - plastic dust caps - 9/16" x 20 TPI thread - model GR-9 : MKS toe clips - size Extra Large (70 mm long) - chrome plated steel - model LL : Saint Tropez braided nylon straps (White) - chrome plated buckles - plastic pinch rollers

SADDLE:
Selle San Marco – White perforated leather cover - copper rivets along rear cantle plate - aluminum frame and rails - adjustable tension screw - model Regal Girardi

SEAT POST:
Kalloy Laprade - one piece cast 6061-T6 aluminum alloy construction - non-fluted shaft with "limit line" - one bolt micro-adjusting clamp - 20 mm offset - 350 mm x 26.8 mm - model Laprade

OTHER BITS:
Raleigh - seat post binder bolt - chrome plated steel - 8 mm diameter - 5 mm Allen key release : Jagwire/QBP - front brake inner cable - stainless steel - 1.6 mm x 58 cm - model CA-1370 : Jagwire/QBP - front brake outer cable housing - Teflon lined - White - 53 cm - model 60Y0023 : Jagwire/QBP - rear brake inner cable - stainless steel - 1.6 mm x 121 cm - model CA-1370 : Jagwire/QBP - rear brake outer cable housing - Teflon lined - White - 116 cm - model 60Y0023 : Jagwire/QBP - front derailleur inner cable - 1.1 mm x 110 cm - model CA-5210 : Jagwire/QBP - front derailleur outer cable housing - compressionless - Teflon lined - White - 38 cm : Jagwire/QBP - rear derailleur inner cable - 1.1 mm x 158 cm - model CA-5210 : Jagwire/QBP - front derailleur outer cable housing - compressionless - Teflon lined - White - 38 cm (front section) / 29 cm (rear section) : Campagnolo - dropout adjuster screws - 25 mm length - adjuster bolt / spring / plastic wing nut - models 302 / 303 / 302/1

ACCESSORIES:
Bell - water bottle cage - down tube mount - 74 mm aluminum - polished finish - model 2446002003 : California Springs - water bottle - 800 milliliter / 28 ounce capacity - LDPE construction - White - model 12-C28

Topeak - Aero Wedge saddle bag - Black - 1200 Denier DuPont Teflon coated nylon - 3M reflective strip - traditional straps with QR buckles - medium size (60-80 c.i. capacity) - model TC2261B

SunTour - spoke protector - slip fit - clear plastic with metal reinforced hub section - 35 mm center hole - 150 mm overall width - 34t maximum - model 10603

Lizard Skins - chainstay guard - standard size - neoprene with Velcro attachment - cut to size - Black - model CHNDS100