fake reynolds 531C bike

brknteef

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, not entirely sure where the best place to post this question is. I recently bought a Dawes Imperial 531C 60cm Road bike on ebay. I've seen that you can buy Reynolds stickers online and i was wandering if there was a way i could check to see if my frame is infact reynolds or wether the seller(previous person) has just stuck a Reynolds sticker on the frame. Is there any way i can check as besides the sticker i can't see any information to proves so. The sticker is "Reynolds 531c - Forks Blades, Stays,and Butted Frame Tubes".

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Dave

Please see link of purchased bike:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/dawes-imperial-531c-/271948234921?nma=true&si=8lY0AIITh2pMR3KdN8Rc8D6NjIs%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&clk_rvr_id=892527696832&rmvSB=true

bendertherobot

Quick glance, looks exactly the same as:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=304109

Generally people don't take too much care with stickers. Same place. Looks legit in terms of frame detailing.

lakinlakin

Looks OK to me.

My Raleigh Competition has a frame no. stamped into the bottom bracket. Your frame may have one. You can use the number check the year of production.

My frame has a new set of 531 stickers due to a re-spray.

brknteef

Hi, thanks for the help. I noticed that other Dawes bike before, my forks don't have lugs so i wasn't sure. Would that be due to a different year?

Regards,

Dave

simon_masterson

I wouldn't be too worried about someone faking a 531C frame, it's nice and light and rides well, so putting a decal on a gaspipe frame isn't going to fool anyone that knows what they're looking at. Subtle variations between forks and such are to be expected, it's just possible that a previous owner changed them. It's a nice bike, enjoy it.

brknteef

Thanks for the response. Will look for a serial number tonight, see if that will show any information on the year.

Sirius631

Take the seatpost out and look down it with a torch. A gas pipe frame will have a straight weld seam. 531, being mandrel drawn, will be seamless.