$100 Raleigh Record Ace, full 531 from 1980-82
07-17-18, 12:41 PM
#1
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$100 Raleigh Record Ace, full 531 from 1980-82
Just got it home, really nothing to do to it but a little dusting and cleaning. The Weinmann hoods are dry and brittle, and it just needs a refresher of the grease. Not sure if the RD was changed or the FD was. Thinking I will look for an 80-82 Suntour cyclone FD to match the rear. 
Full side
Full side
Last edited by bwilli88; 07-17-18 at 02:01 PM.
07-17-18, 12:52 PM
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WOW!
Wonderful find.
Congratulatioins.
My guess is that the Cyclone astern is a replacement for the VX which was there originally.
Previous thread on this wheel -
https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=1149327
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WOW!
Wonderful find.
Congratulatioins.
My guess is that the Cyclone astern is a replacement for the VX which was there originally.
Previous thread on this wheel -
https://m.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=1149327
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07-17-18, 12:54 PM
#3
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07-17-18, 01:12 PM
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Thank you for the additional pictures.
The original VX rear was likely the shorter version and perhaps the change was made because the owner wanted to go to wider range gearing.
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Thank you for the additional pictures.
The original VX rear was likely the shorter version and perhaps the change was made because the owner wanted to go to wider range gearing.
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07-17-18, 01:55 PM
#5
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Lovely. I am drooling a bit. The only Record Ace I have ever seen was the low-end US version. Yours is wonderful!
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07-17-18, 02:19 PM
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Nice
07-17-18, 02:55 PM
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nice find!
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07-17-18, 05:06 PM
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07-17-18, 06:12 PM
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This must be a fairly rare Reynolds transfer where the main tubes are plain gauge but it has all six taper tubes as well.
Thinking original VX rear mech was either the S or the T version, hence the need for change.
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This must be a fairly rare Reynolds transfer where the main tubes are plain gauge but it has all six taper tubes as well.
Thinking original VX rear mech was either the S or the T version, hence the need for change.
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07-18-18, 03:53 PM
#11
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the sticker shows fork blades, stays and butted main tubes
07-18-18, 06:52 PM
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Me likey 
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
07-19-18, 06:49 AM
#13
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I hope to ride it before I head back to Cambodia, need to tension the wheels and check the bearings all around; headset, bottom bracket, wheels. Might change the FD to match the rear and change the brakes to some Dia-comp centerpulls
07-19-18, 07:05 AM
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Beautiful. About as good as it gets in the C&V world.
I love how Raleigh even got someone with gold paint and a small brush to add little decorative brazing marks around the lugs. My Carlton-built Competition has these too. And the amount of tire clearance on these old Raleighs is a thing to behold, I can fit 38's on mine! I guess they were designed for fenders. Makes sense in rainy old England. And works out really well for modern-day gravel bike enthusiasts.
At least I'm HOPING that's gold paint, and not old 1970's dirt permanently lodged in there.
I love how Raleigh even got someone with gold paint and a small brush to add little decorative brazing marks around the lugs. My Carlton-built Competition has these too. And the amount of tire clearance on these old Raleighs is a thing to behold, I can fit 38's on mine! I guess they were designed for fenders. Makes sense in rainy old England. And works out really well for modern-day gravel bike enthusiasts.
At least I'm HOPING that's gold paint, and not old 1970's dirt permanently lodged in there.
07-19-18, 07:25 AM
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That's called pin striping... It had already been commonplace on most decent quality lugged frames for decades. It's not meant to mimic "brazing marks" at all - it highlights the lug shape. Gold was far from being the only color used. It just came down to good color matching.
07-19-18, 03:35 PM
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07-30-18, 09:57 AM
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As much as I like the original condition of this bike I have few ideas.
1. Keep it as is except to change; 1. the FD to a matching Suntour Cyclone to match the RD that looks to be a replacement anyway, (done). 2, replace the seat with a period correct Brooks B17 in Honey brown. 3, new fender stays as the originals have been cut too short. and 4, different tires than the cheapo Kendas probably Paselas or Swift Tire Sand Canyons.
2. Cold set the rear to replace the 27" wheels with a set of mid Aero 8 speed wheels I have from my Japanese Fuji Stratos and run some 700c tires, the RD will shift across the 8 speed Shimano cassette. this would also include mods 1, 2, and 3 from change 1 above.
3. Just leave it as is with the FD derailleur change which is already done and the original is sent off with the BOC.
New Front derailleur thanks to @mountaindave. looks better that the original Suntour Vt
the 700c wheel set looks like a match to the gold lug lining
1. Keep it as is except to change; 1. the FD to a matching Suntour Cyclone to match the RD that looks to be a replacement anyway, (done). 2, replace the seat with a period correct Brooks B17 in Honey brown. 3, new fender stays as the originals have been cut too short. and 4, different tires than the cheapo Kendas probably Paselas or Swift Tire Sand Canyons.
2. Cold set the rear to replace the 27" wheels with a set of mid Aero 8 speed wheels I have from my Japanese Fuji Stratos and run some 700c tires, the RD will shift across the 8 speed Shimano cassette. this would also include mods 1, 2, and 3 from change 1 above.
3. Just leave it as is with the FD derailleur change which is already done and the original is sent off with the BOC.
New Front derailleur thanks to @mountaindave. looks better that the original Suntour Vt
the 700c wheel set looks like a match to the gold lug lining
Last edited by bwilli88; 07-30-18 at 10:05 AM.
07-30-18, 10:26 AM
#18
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IMO, classic bike with classic wheels makes a perfect match. Your call though! Love your Raleigh.
07-30-18, 10:50 AM
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Whichever way you go on wheels (aero or not), it's just a good idea to move to 700c wheels - the options are nearly limitless on tires and options for quality are so much better.
Glad that FD found a good home. The RD got split off and went to a good home too, but it was getting lonely.
Glad that FD found a good home. The RD got split off and went to a good home too, but it was getting lonely.
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07-30-18, 01:34 PM
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One more potential change. I have a very nice set of Dia-Comp centerpulls that would be a nice period correct upgrade from the side pull Weinmanns
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07-31-18, 10:17 AM
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Schwinn Paramounts used the same sticker for the "full Reynolds 531" tubeset used in their bikes but specified this sticker for legal reasons, as I heard it told. Fork blades and stays are actually tapered gauge and not truly butted, so Schwinn was wording the sticker for CYA purposes in case anyone took exception to the claim of "fully butted tubing" in the frame and sued because of it. Remember the famous mid-'80s Oldsmobile engine lawsuit? For years Chevy, Olds, Buick and Pontiac all offered entirely different 350 cubic engines and at one point GM said screw it and just started using the Chevy 350 in stuff. One customer sued and won because his Oldsmobile car did not have an Oldsmobile engine.
I did not know that anyone but Schwinn used this sticker.
I did not know that anyone but Schwinn used this sticker.
07-31-18, 10:54 AM
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Why did Raleigh burden this bike with the weight of their Raleigh Record name; the Record being a POS?
07-31-18, 11:12 AM
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The the real question is why did Raleigh cheapen a really good bike, the Raleigh Record Ace, by naming a cheap bike the Raleigh Record. This bike is very similar to the earlier RRA.
Last edited by bwilli88; 07-31-18 at 02:15 PM.
07-31-18, 11:13 AM
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Raleigh Record Ace is a name that predates "Record". The RRA was one of their very first models made from 531 tubing. I suspect that the model "Record" (which came a long a bit later) attempted to bask in the glow of the good name of the Raleigh Record Ace.
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07-31-18, 11:27 AM
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Congrats! While I’ve never met a Record Ace in person, it’s appearant that they’re a great bike. Yours looks and sounds to be close to tip top condition. Love the drillium! Love the the color! What a score for a mere bill.
I have a Super Course frame I’m using as a build project. I recently found a first gen Cyclone GT rear derailleur for it, but it seems the matching front derailleur is not as easy to find. Another stroke of good luck for you!
I have a Super Course frame I’m using as a build project. I recently found a first gen Cyclone GT rear derailleur for it, but it seems the matching front derailleur is not as easy to find. Another stroke of good luck for you!
