This beautiful Raleigh Sprite 10 sent in by Steve S. has been languishing in the bottom of my inbox since June! I know I often mention that I post bikes in the ‘order’ that they are received, and that is generally true. There are exceptions, the primary exception being I’m lazy. When owners send large images that will require resizing I will often pass over their entry in the interest of time and move to an entry where the images are already sized (800px – 1000px|200kb – 300kb). Steve’s images were large and I’m lazy, so Steve has had to wait a long long time to finally get his bike posted (which he has probably already flipped).
In any case, Steve is looking of some help with a date of production for this Bronze Beaut.

Good Mornin’ Cameron!

Once again I’m gonna hit your site looking for a little help.  I submit to you a beautiful Raleigh Sprite 10, coffee in color and all original.  When I got the bike it was covered in years of dust, dirt, etc., but after simply hosing it off, this is what I’ve found!!  The serial number is F80D2512.  I have spent hours combing sites to decode it and find out what year it is, but alas, I am humbled and unable to do so.  It has Suntour Shifters and derailleurs, however the rear derailleur does say Raleigh and Suntour on it.  The brakes are Weinmann, hubs are Raleigh.  If anyone can help, I would Greatly appreciate it!!  Also, I could use some insight as to how to proceed with this bike?  I bought it to clean up and either ride, or flip, but in it’s newly revealed condition I’m wondering if I shouldn’t just leave it alone?  Is it a desirable/collectable model?  or common as elephant ears at the county fair?  As usual, I always love your site, and am amazed at the wealth of knowledge that can be sought after and found here.  I thank you all in advance for any help, and again I thank you, Cameron, for having this wondeful site available!!

Steve