Weight could be a clue. Also sound. If you build on it, stiffness would also provide a clue. 531 is super light, and it has a rigidity to it.

Ended up selling the Rush after all to cover some last min debts. It was just sitting collecting dust in the shed and getting bumped around when i went in there for other stuff. There are a few different bikes i am looking at at Ctire i may pull the trigger on later. Like i said before the ownership of that particular bike may have been tainted by the chapter of my life i was in with it at the time.

So, the next project.
https://i.imgur.com/LbvFexel.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lVcnPVrl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/oQ2XHnYl.jpg

I'm guessing 68 to 71. This would have had the plastic Simplex derailleurs that rotted and broke with exposure to UV rays. Thankfully, those had been replaced years ago with Shitmano. I got the bike in kit form and it looks like it's all there save for cables and housing. The bars with the white tape seem to be the correct ones. The rims are mismatched but the steel hoops will probably be aimed towards the recycle pile and I'll spring for a pair of 700c aluminum Sun CR 18 rims. If I wasn't doing wheels, this would be a one day kit.

Oh, yeah, the last Mercier I had, I was riding it when I got hit from behind.

So, against the PT guy's advice, I rode a bike yesterday.
https://i.imgur.com/11VIGVEl.jpg

Not far, just down the driveway, then two houses down the street and back to the house. First, no ankle pain but my knee was bitching while climbing the slight incline in low gear. Second, the seat needs to come down at least a half inch. This may ease the knee issue. Lastly, that stem and handlebar have to go. The stem is just wrong for a flat bar and the bar is too narrow. Other than that, the 'Old Fart Lefsa Special' rides pretty nice for a 'Free' bike.:tup:

https://i.imgur.com/TT7YFQ5l.jpg
I climbed the garage attic stairs this morning (woohoo) and dug in my parts stash for the black swept back bar with a rise and a shorter stem. What a difference! Lowering the seat was a big help, too.

Although I'm not 100% with the old white Troxel seat, it is kind of butt friendly. I'm calling this one finished.

I'm back. Ish.:lmao:
https://i.imgur.com/UTCq1YAl.jpg

36 or 38 miles, depending on who you believe. My quads and butt hurt more than my ankle does.

I was a member of this bicycle club back in the 80s and one of the founding members is still active, though she wasn't on the ride. I told people that I was a member back when Jeanne had black hair.:hehe: And I had hair.

nice looking bike! I've got a vintage LeMond road bike that I ride from time to time!

I did an evening group ride on the 1968 Raleigh Superbe.
https://i.imgur.com/JBal297l.jpg

I've been riding this bike since 2007 and it's suddenly less reliable than the RPOC. Rear wheel came loose and shifted, threw the chain over a series of rough bumps, kicked up a stick that bent the rear fender stay. What sucked is that I did a five mile shakedown ride yesterday and it was fine, everything was fine.

The ride itself kicked my ass. I hurt all over this morning and didn't have a great night's sleep. The group I was with was a little less judgey than the last bunch I rode with. One woman said something to me about being an inexperienced rider. I could have been a Richard about it but I just said that I wasn't inexperienced, I was outta shape. It happens.

One thing is that my ankle is happy as a clam while riding. Boy, I get off the bike and it's pain city while trying walk. Methinks Busters' 65 lbs of exuberance planted onto my ankle last week may have sprained it a bit.

I finally got my mtb out memorial day... found the only dang mud hole on the trails, tried to avoid it, and stil slipped the back tire/left leg/hip right into it and went down in slow mo....LOL and, since i havent posted anything about the current configuration, rolling 1x11 gears, 203mm front rotor with an aliexpress 4 pot, which is suprisingly good, and 160mm rear, currently on a shimano m335 caliper, but have the matching 2 pot for the front on the way, tubeless with stans strips and goo, on old wire bead Geax/vittoria Saguaro tires...

I was told yesterday, by Jared the Timid, that I am being cut loose from PT next Thursday and I am done healed. I just need to work on the strength of my left ankle. I mentioned that I've been riding more and more each week; 25 miles last Sunday and 15 Wednesday. Both days on the 'Old Fart Lefsa Special'. I actually kept up Wednesday, much to the judgy ones' chagrin.(Feelings get hurt when an old guy on a basically free 3 speed can keep up with their $5K Crabon Fibber e-shift bikes)

Anywho, I mentioned to Jared that I was still a bit reluctant to try riding with foot retention. He said it shouldn't be a problem now and to give it a shot.
So, I donned my toe clip shoes and went for a short ride on the 'screwed and glued' Raleigh Technium.
https://i.imgur.com/0Ahr0D5l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mDLmBDdl.jpg
Jared was right.

The Wednesday group is in for a surprise next week.:hehe:

Jared makes money by you hurting yourself , he really wants you to go roller skating again so he can keep eating steak .

He's gotta wait until September before I try that again.