Before you startGeneral guidance from our members' experience, checked against the sources listed at the foot of this page. Old bicycles vary, so check everything against your own bike. Brakes, steering, wheels and tyres are safety-critical: if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do or check the work. Any work you do is at your own risk. See our terms.
Whether a frame still wears its factory finish affects its value, what kind of restoration suits it, and whether the transfers can be saved. Check these seven points.
| Check | Usually original | Usually resprayed |
|---|---|---|
| Lug lines and masking edges | Sharp, crisp lug edges and clean colour separation | Soft or feathered edges, overspray on the lug faces |
| Transfers | Period placement, aged and finely cracked at the edges | Reproduction transfers, clear coat over the transfers |
| Bottom bracket shell and dropouts | Thin, even paint and none in the threads | Paint in the threads, thick edges on the dropout faces |
| Frame number | Crisp, sharp-edged stamped digits | Softened digits, partly buried in paint |
| Underside of the frame | Even ageing everywhere | Missed areas, uneven coverage under the bottom bracket |
| Paint thickness | Thin paint that follows the contours; clean cable stops | Thick paint, blobs at cable stops and small brazed-on parts |
| Frame, fork and stays | All aged alike | A fork that looks newer than the frame, stays a different shade |
Making the call
Several 'usually original' signs together point to a factory finish; several 'usually resprayed' signs point the other way. One sign on its own proves little. Compare with the catalogue for that model and year where you can.
Transfers on a green Hercules
The model name on the top tube, and the maker's name and a dealer's crest on the seat tube. Compare transfers like these with a catalogue picture of the same model.
Photos: Garry Gregory.
Where to find catalogue pages
- Retro Raleighs on sheldonbrown.com, for Raleigh catalogues
- The Ebykr catalogue archive, with transcribed catalogues
- The Veteran-Cycle Club, whose online library is open to members
- Velopedia, a catalogue archive with scanned text
Useful kit
- A bright LED inspection torch, held low so light rakes across the paint
- A magnifier or loupe
- Copies of the catalogue pages for the model
Sources
Checked 19 October 2026. Method tips without a source are our members' experience.