Carlton Bicycles (Cyclone, Cobra, Professional, etc)

Gets Anorak

See here :-

http://www.carltoncycles.me.uk/details/dating.htm

According to this they didn't use N as a leading character

One of my Carlton's was built in Nottingham in 1982, after the factory closure, and it still starts with a 'W' rather than a 'N'

Raleigh/Carlton original serial number sheet:

The prefix letter indicates build factory not brand. The exception to this is that the "W" prefix continued to be used on Nottingham built lightweights (eg 531) after Worksop closed. Carltons were also built at Nottingham ("N" prefix) before Worksop's closure, and the I have a 1980 Nottingham built Carlton Cyclone with standard TI tubing and it carries the "N" prefix on seat tube. I also have a 1987 Raleigh Road Ace (531) with a "W" prefix # on bottom bracket.

Bottom line is, if no serial on bottom bracket, check the seat tube. But don't take it back to the scrap bin - it's too good! Fix it, ride it, enjoy it. It'll outlast a modern far eastern aluminium bike any day.