New Build: 1973/74 Raleigh RRA
08-26-23, 07:01 PM
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New Build: 1973/74 Raleigh RRA
Hey folks, this is a build where I somehow acquired a lot of parts before the frame showed up, which is serendipity especially in the case of a Raleigh RRA, which was only made for one year and does not have the perfunctory Campy gruppo. On this bike, there were no Campy parts with the only exception being the dropouts. Interestingly this frame features vertical Campy dropouts, a first for me. The serial number is H1671 - although it's reported this bike was made for only one year, 1973, I have heard that the bikes that have an "H" prefix in the number were actually built in 1974, so I am not quite sure of the right year to attribute...
I already had the Simplex Super LJ derailleurs, Simplex shifters, Stronglight 93 crank, Maillard 700 hubs, and Atom 700 pedals. I even had a set of Simplex top tube cable guides, and the Simplex derailleur cable guides. I acquired the frame from a fellow who had gotten it after a repaint, but no black outlining and pinstripes and no decals, which I got from H. Lloyd in the UK. The paint is decent, a few chips here and there, but not bad at all.
I acquired the correct AVA rims and built up the wheels with gold anodized spokes. I also had to find a Brampton headset (hard to locate), and a Simplex blue label seat post. The frame came with the original Weinmann 500 sidepulls. All that remains at this point is to acquire a 3TTT record stem with a 25.4 opening, and one of our C&V colleagues here is supplying a set of GB "map of England" bars (thanks Rob!). Then, I can glue up a set of tubies and go for a ride!
Thanks for looking,
Andy
Weinmann 500 sidepulls
H Lloyd decals
H Lloyd decals
Simplex blue label seatpost, original equipment as I understand...
I added the black pin striping.
Stronglight 93
Atom 700
Simplex Super LJ
Maillard 700 Team with AVA rims
I already had the Simplex Super LJ derailleurs, Simplex shifters, Stronglight 93 crank, Maillard 700 hubs, and Atom 700 pedals. I even had a set of Simplex top tube cable guides, and the Simplex derailleur cable guides. I acquired the frame from a fellow who had gotten it after a repaint, but no black outlining and pinstripes and no decals, which I got from H. Lloyd in the UK. The paint is decent, a few chips here and there, but not bad at all.
I acquired the correct AVA rims and built up the wheels with gold anodized spokes. I also had to find a Brampton headset (hard to locate), and a Simplex blue label seat post. The frame came with the original Weinmann 500 sidepulls. All that remains at this point is to acquire a 3TTT record stem with a 25.4 opening, and one of our C&V colleagues here is supplying a set of GB "map of England" bars (thanks Rob!). Then, I can glue up a set of tubies and go for a ride!
Thanks for looking,
Andy
Weinmann 500 sidepulls
H Lloyd decals
H Lloyd decals
Simplex blue label seatpost, original equipment as I understand...
I added the black pin striping.
Stronglight 93
Atom 700
Simplex Super LJ
Maillard 700 Team with AVA rims
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08-26-23, 08:46 PM
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Nice- that thing looks like it's practically new!
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08-26-23, 09:22 PM
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-----
WOW!
what a fabulous job
have owned two of these
were you able to secure the Weinmann factory relieved brake levers and the plastic Carlton hoods for them?
the name for the GB bar bend is the Ventoux
the Maillard 700's are the correct first generation model
recall that one of mine came with a Simplex 6V gear block - rare at the time - still have it unused in a parts bin as it is a "corn cob"
seat binder may not be the correct Gripfast - trying to recall...
-----
WOW!
what a fabulous job
have owned two of these
were you able to secure the Weinmann factory relieved brake levers and the plastic Carlton hoods for them?
the name for the GB bar bend is the Ventoux
the Maillard 700's are the correct first generation model
recall that one of mine came with a Simplex 6V gear block - rare at the time - still have it unused in a parts bin as it is a "corn cob"
seat binder may not be the correct Gripfast - trying to recall...
-----
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08-27-23, 06:10 AM
#4
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-----
WOW!
what a fabulous job
have owned two of these
were you able to secure the Weinmann factory relieved brake levers and the plastic Carlton hoods for them?
the name for the GB bar bend is the Ventoux
the Maillard 700's are the correct first generation model
recall that one of mine came with a Simplex 6V gear block - rare at the time - still have it unused in a parts bin as it is a "corn cob"
seat binder may not be the correct Gripfast - trying to recall...
-----
WOW!
what a fabulous job
have owned two of these
were you able to secure the Weinmann factory relieved brake levers and the plastic Carlton hoods for them?
the name for the GB bar bend is the Ventoux
the Maillard 700's are the correct first generation model
recall that one of mine came with a Simplex 6V gear block - rare at the time - still have it unused in a parts bin as it is a "corn cob"
seat binder may not be the correct Gripfast - trying to recall...
-----
Let me know if you still have that Simplex freewheel and would be willing to let it go, I am looking for that one!
08-27-23, 06:49 AM
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I do have the correct Weinmann levers with the larger holes, with white Carlton hoods. I made a guess on the seat binder bolt, which was original on my '74 Super Tourer, would be curious to know if this is not the right one...
Let me know if you still have that Simplex freewheel and would be willing to let it go, I am looking for that one!
Let me know if you still have that Simplex freewheel and would be willing to let it go, I am looking for that one!
gear block -
yes indeed, it has been snoozing in a parts bin for a scant forty-nine year!
recollection is that dentition is something like a 13-23 or 13-24
the photos do not show the distal ends of the 93 arms clearly; for the bike they should be the "G2" which launched in 1972
this image courtesy of VB shows both the early and the late type
drive side arm is early type with a prominent bevel around the pedal hole
non-drive side arm is later type with more "meat" around the pedal hole
93 launch was 1967 and there was always a problem with radial cracks from the pedal hole
in fairness, many of these were likely created by crashing
manufacturer seemed reluctant to face problem until they finally made a revision in seventy-two
-----
08-27-23, 06:59 AM
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IIRC, I have a Simplex freewheel. It is stored, but I should be there by the end of next week. I need to pull out a few more French freewheels for folks, so I'll keep you posted.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
08-27-23, 07:20 AM
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The bike looks spectacular. I have a 1980 RRA which I really like. It is a model only sold in the UK with a full Reynolds frame.
08-27-23, 12:38 PM
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----
were you able to locate the correct Renold drive chain with the beveled plates in the dark grey finish?
in case you should require them replica transfers for the first generation Tecno Tubo Torino Record stem are available online
this is the best seat binder image was able to find from amongst the RRA threads here at the forum
believe this one to be OEM -
example belongs to member verktyg
-----
were you able to locate the correct Renold drive chain with the beveled plates in the dark grey finish?
in case you should require them replica transfers for the first generation Tecno Tubo Torino Record stem are available online
this is the best seat binder image was able to find from amongst the RRA threads here at the forum
believe this one to be OEM -
example belongs to member verktyg
-----
08-27-23, 06:37 PM
#9
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Wow, beautiful frame and parts. The teeth on the outer chainring look really worn down, maybe it doesn't make much of a difference on a large ring, but replacements are easy to find.
08-27-23, 06:58 PM
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Do you have a picture of the stem you need? Not likely but I MIGHT have it. I also have a GB stem somewhere, and I’m not using it.
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
08-27-23, 09:55 PM
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This will be a time warp project.
08-28-23, 06:08 PM
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3ttt record stem
I have one from early 70s in a stem length of 65mm with original decals. If any interest i can give you full details esp the bar clamp opening size.
Maybe we can find some smalls to swap?
Maybe we can find some smalls to swap?
08-28-23, 06:26 PM
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Awesome to see that coming together.
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08-28-23, 07:44 PM
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The stem in the photo above (became a take off as i needed a longer stem) does measure 26.
08-28-23, 08:48 PM
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thank you.
the 25.4mm clamp size needed to be compatible with the GB Ventoux bend was manufactured but is difficult of locate...and then there is the matter of combining that with the desired extension...
may end up employing a 26.0mm example and shimming...
-----
08-29-23, 03:48 PM
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Yes, I do need the 25.4 size - I have noticed that one way to positively identify one of these is the presence of the "Evian" engraving. However, I do have one of these on my '74 Raleigh Pro that does not have the Evian engraved, and it does work with the GB Ventoux bars (25.4)....
08-29-23, 06:00 PM
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Great condition and kudos on striving for originality. One comment though. "H####" is a 1973 build date. There can be some confusion as "model year" started in fall, so there can be 1974 models sold bearing 1973 frame serials.
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Last edited by USAZorro; 08-29-23 at 06:04 PM.
08-30-23, 08:16 AM
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‘Working for a Raleigh dealer at the time, 1974 is when the model arrived at the local Raleigh warehouse. Was a decent bike but did not fly off the rack, all sold well enough but toward the end of the year, inflation helped the value comparison to other brands and models. The shop I worked for rarely sold the Pro as was not bespoke enough and if the bike caught a customer’s eye but needed a different size and out of stock at the warehouse, went elsewhere in search.
08-30-23, 09:39 AM
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I drooled a little bit.
08-30-23, 12:24 PM
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-----
the photos do not show the distal ends of the 93 arms clearly; for the bike they should be the "G2" which launched in 1972
this image courtesy of VB shows both the early and the late type
drive side arm is early type with a prominent bevel around the pedal hole
non-drive side arm is later type with more "meat" around the pedal hole
93 launch was 1967 and there was always a problem with radial cracks from the pedal hole
in fairness, many of these were likely created by crashing
manufacturer seemed reluctant to face problem until they finally made a revision in seventy-two
-----
the photos do not show the distal ends of the 93 arms clearly; for the bike they should be the "G2" which launched in 1972
this image courtesy of VB shows both the early and the late type
drive side arm is early type with a prominent bevel around the pedal hole
non-drive side arm is later type with more "meat" around the pedal hole
93 launch was 1967 and there was always a problem with radial cracks from the pedal hole
in fairness, many of these were likely created by crashing
manufacturer seemed reluctant to face problem until they finally made a revision in seventy-two
-----
Someone else can check me on this -- I wonder whether Consumer Product Safety Commission had anything to do with beefing up aluminum cranks at the pedal eye, or whether additional brands had similar safety issues.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
08-30-23, 04:41 PM
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Sugino Mighty Compe cranks went through exactly the same redesign evolution at roughly that same time. Having snapped an early version one across the pedal eye during an out-of-saddle climb (ouch!), I welcomed the additional mm or two of aluminum on both sides of the hole. I have broken axles, cranks, spokes, frames, one pedal cage, even a front hub flange, while riding, but this is the only time a component failure has caused me to crash.
Someone else can check me on this -- I wonder whether Consumer Product Safety Commission had anything to do with beefing up aluminum cranks at the pedal eye, or whether additional brands had similar safety issues.
Someone else can check me on this -- I wonder whether Consumer Product Safety Commission had anything to do with beefing up aluminum cranks at the pedal eye, or whether additional brands had similar safety issues.
08-30-23, 06:04 PM
#22
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Thank you for that! I wish I could remember where I saw where it indicated H numbers were 1974. I am sure you are exactly right.
08-31-23, 12:00 PM
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75lechamp I just looked through my storage site and did not locate the Simplex freewheel I recall having. I do have a few things stored at my daughter's home in TN, but I might not visit there until Christmas. If I go sooner, I'll let you know.
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Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
09-07-23, 11:38 AM
#24
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Finished for now....
Thanks everyone for the input! I have temporarily completed this project, still waiting for arrival of a set of the GB Ventoux (map) bars and the 3TTT Record stem. To get a ride in, I put on a Cinelli 1/R and 64 bars.....
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