1939 Raleigh Record Ace (RRA)

model no. 45 serial no. AF55635

Purchased from Paul Raley in December 2011 and back on the road 28 January 2012

This particular machine was originally purchased from Hill Cycle Shop, Germantown Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA in 1939, one of the of 8,000 Raleighs sold in the USA that year.

Purchased from its second owner in 2008 on eBay by Paul Raley, the seller claimed he had the original paperwork but Paul was never able to obtain it from him. USA. Although this machine has had a hard life and in less than perfect condition, it immediately appealed retaining its original paint, chrome and, more important, was in the very rare 23-inch frame available only 1939-40.

Apparently, this was damaged in a crash early in its life with ripples evident in the down and top tube but is completely straight and tracks perfectly indicating it was most likely repainted/repainted by Raleigh. The seat stays are badly crimped from numerous rear lamp attachments over the years but the frame is otherwise sound with the paint and chrome forks in pretty good original condition. When Paul obtained it, the original bar/stem, saddle/mudguards/ rims/ grips had been replaced and these were in turn replaced by original (or close) components as well as adding the very rare original Sturmey-Archer 12v. Dynohub.

I have refitted it to catalogue specification as a racing machine without the Dynohub and with a 1939 AR close-ratio three-speed hub gear and Conloy sew-up rims which were available as additional cost options. WIth a built-up weight of 26.8 lbs, it is a remarkably light riding and handling machine and a surprisingly fast one as well.

Specifications
Frame: main triangle 22G Molybdenum, round taper chainstays and seatstay High Manganese
Fork: 18-21G extra resilient High Manganese
Braze ons: mudguard eyes, chain hook and pump pegs on down tube.
Fork: round section blades with Raleigh pattern tubular fork crown and lamp bracket mounting pegs on both blades
Finish: Raleigh black enamel (original), no lining, chromed front fork
Size: seat tube 23” (c to t), top tube 22” (c to c)
Angles: 71˚ (head) 71˚ (seat)
Fork rake: 2½”
Wheelbase: 41 ½”
Bottom bracket height: 11"
Chainstay length: 17 ¼"
Rear spacing: 118 mm
Lugs: cutaway and fishtailed

Components
Wheelset: Rims: 27” (700c) Constrictor alloy sprint 32/40h sprint rims. Spokes: 14g straight gauge 4x stainless spokes (rear) 15/17g double butted stainless spokes radially laced (front). Front hub: 32-hole Raleigh lightweight racing chromed steel with quick release Raleigh “R” pattern wingnuts. Rear hub: Sturmey-Archer AR9 close-ratio three-speed , 16t sprocket and Sturmey-Archer pattern wingnuts. Tyres: Tufo S-22 700x21 sprint tyres
Chainset: Heron pattern chromed steel, detachable 3-pin 48t chainring with fluted and lightened 6 ¾” cranks
Pedals: RRA special pattern steel road racing, Christophe toeclips and Brooks toestraps
Gears: Sturmey-Archer AR close ratio three-speed hub, 1939
Freewheel: Sturmey-Archer 16-tooth
Gear lever: Sturmey-Archer three-speed trigger control, first pattern “pat. Pending”
Chain: Renold Elite 1/8”
Brakes: Raleigh side-pull calipers and levers, black brake cable housing.
Top tube brake cable clips: Dunlop rubber
Headset: Raleigh headclip fixing, chromed steel
Stem & handlebars: Raleigh RRA pattern chromium-plated stem and 16" Bailey pattern 6" drop 'bars, Romac black rubber sleeves
Saddle: Brooks B19 Champion Narrow with black enameled undercarriage
Seat pin: domed Reynolds alloy
Mudguards: Bluemel’s cream celluloid no. 6 front spearpoint extension only
Pump: 15" x 7/8th inch Bluemel’s black featherweight celluloid
Lamp bracket: Raleigh Heron’s Crest headclip-mounted
Weight: 26.8 lbs