Post by 83touring18tn on May 17, 2023 23:45:25 GMT
Hi All,
I can't believe I waited so long to track down a place to vent...
I bought my Raleigh Touring 18 brand new (had it ordered) at a bike shop in St Louis County, MO, as an 18 year old, in 1983, for, I believe it was $435.
I rode it for roughly 25,000 miles from that day, until about 1995 or so, when I bought a more standard frame road bike to go with/supplement the touring frame.
It was born with Shimano parts (13-30 cassette and 33-42-52 chainrings), a crappy seat and handlebar padding, the standard aluminum fron and rear racks and two bottle holders, and all plastic reflectors. I replaced the front derailleur (the chain cut through the original), I replaced the original 52 tooth chainring with a 53 (the original was dished-out, and I liked speed when I coukd make it), I replaced countless cables, brake pads, handle bar tape/pads, tires, and a dozen or so tubes...
Fast forward to 2009-10 and I agreed to sacrifice the chain (it was worn out) for a funky 4 wheel vehicle PBC contraption my boys' STEM team was building for a fundraiser. That rendered it immobile and I didn't do anything with it...
Fast forward again, to 2017, and my chainless bike was stolen off my screened-in front porch in Brookside, Kansas City, MO!! I HAVEN'T SEEN OR HEARD OF IT SINCE...
I don't honestly expect to see it again but, wish I still had it!!
It has two dents, about 4" apart, in the top tube, on the left side, from when it fell over (fully loaded with my full set of Cannondale panniers and handlebar bag, sleeping bag, and tent) on a cut-off stub of a 4" (or was it larger??) Steel pipe in a parking lot.
I think I may have scratched my name or even my SSN (foolish teen from the 80s) below the bottom bracket, near the S/N. Somewhere, I may still have my original paperwork, with S/N but,not certain right now.
Off the off chance someone finds my pride and joy(!!), I would certainly love to hear of it and, would offer a reward.
Cheers from KC!!
Tom
I can't believe I waited so long to track down a place to vent...
I bought my Raleigh Touring 18 brand new (had it ordered) at a bike shop in St Louis County, MO, as an 18 year old, in 1983, for, I believe it was $435.
I rode it for roughly 25,000 miles from that day, until about 1995 or so, when I bought a more standard frame road bike to go with/supplement the touring frame.
It was born with Shimano parts (13-30 cassette and 33-42-52 chainrings), a crappy seat and handlebar padding, the standard aluminum fron and rear racks and two bottle holders, and all plastic reflectors. I replaced the front derailleur (the chain cut through the original), I replaced the original 52 tooth chainring with a 53 (the original was dished-out, and I liked speed when I coukd make it), I replaced countless cables, brake pads, handle bar tape/pads, tires, and a dozen or so tubes...
Fast forward to 2009-10 and I agreed to sacrifice the chain (it was worn out) for a funky 4 wheel vehicle PBC contraption my boys' STEM team was building for a fundraiser. That rendered it immobile and I didn't do anything with it...
Fast forward again, to 2017, and my chainless bike was stolen off my screened-in front porch in Brookside, Kansas City, MO!! I HAVEN'T SEEN OR HEARD OF IT SINCE...
I don't honestly expect to see it again but, wish I still had it!!
It has two dents, about 4" apart, in the top tube, on the left side, from when it fell over (fully loaded with my full set of Cannondale panniers and handlebar bag, sleeping bag, and tent) on a cut-off stub of a 4" (or was it larger??) Steel pipe in a parking lot.
I think I may have scratched my name or even my SSN (foolish teen from the 80s) below the bottom bracket, near the S/N. Somewhere, I may still have my original paperwork, with S/N but,not certain right now.
Off the off chance someone finds my pride and joy(!!), I would certainly love to hear of it and, would offer a reward.
Cheers from KC!!
Tom
