1958 Raleigh Record Ace Moderne

model no. 57 serial no. 3766AD

Purchased on 21 November 2006 on eBay (UK) for £175 from the original owner whose father was a Raleigh employee for over 40 years and had it built by the special build department for his 17th birthday in 1959 after the RRA Moderne had been withdrawn from regular production.

Clearly, some extra work and attention went into this special machine for member of the Raleigh family. As a special build, this has a different livery from stock machines incorporating a white seat tube band as well as the stock white peak head and carrying the “RALEIGH” in the distinctive block letters denoting a “Works” built lightweight frame. There are also gold bands two sets of double gold bands on the seat tube and a gold band separating the chrome and black paint on the front fork. The front fork has 12-inch chromed “socks” instead of the usual 8-inch on stock models. In addition, the bottom bracket featuring a hollow nickel steel spindle and the Reynolds domed alloy seat pin were from the 1947-54 RRA.

The owner rode it regularly but in the early 1960s changed out the original components to GB “66” brakes, GB Hiduminium stem, Huret Allvit derailleur, Weinmann alloy 27” clincher rims on Normandy large flange hubs etc. Not used since the mid 1980s.

This has been restored to stock RRA Moderne components including the Reg Harris Road bend ‘bars and original pattern 1958 mudguards, bolt-on fork-mounted lamp bracket and wheelset. The original custom bb and seat pin have been retained.

Obviously cherished by the original owner and well cared for, the paintwork and chrome are in original and remarkably good condition.

Tipping the scales at a substantial 27.6 lbs. even with the non-stock lighter bottom bracket spindle and alloy seat pin, the RRA Moderne manages to weigh more than the 1947-54 model and almost as much as the pre-war one. This is largely due to the heavier steel components especially the handlebar set.

Weight notwithstanding, the RRA Moderne is an exceptionally light and lively machine and a delightful riding one in every respect. Apparently, I am not alone in my esteem of its handling and ride as many RRA Moderne and Super Lenton riders agree it was one of Raleigh’s best models “on the road” as well as a very nicely finished one.

Back on the road initially on 27 January 2007, this was additionally restored with the correct pattern stem/’bars and mudguards and back on the road on 4 March 2017.

A complete history of the Raleigh Super Lenton and RRA Moderne can be found here:

on-the-drops.blogspot.com/2016/12/raleigh-super-lenton-rra-moderne-1952.html


Frame/Fork

Material: Reynolds 531 butted tubing, thin taper backstays and chainstays.
Braze ons: Sturmey Archer gear pulley boss, pump pegs under top tube, rear brake cable stops on top tube for “bare wire” set-up, derailleur cable stop on chainstay and gear lever boss. Tecalemit lubricators for bottom bracket races and bottom headrace. Special Raleigh chainstay and fork ends with mudguard eyelets.
Fork: “D” to round section blades of Reynolds 531.
Finish: original Raleigh black dipped enamel with white enamel seat tube panel and head. Gold lug lining, seat post bands and fork bands. 12” chromium plating on front fork ends and 6” on rear triangle ends.
Size: seat tube 24” (c to t), top tube 23” (c to c)
Angles: 73˚ (head) 71˚ (seat)
Fork rake: 2 ½”
Wheelbase: 41 ¼”
Bottom bracket height: 11 ⅛”
Chainstay length: 17 ¼ “
Rear spacing: 118 mm
Lugs: Raleigh Super Lenton pattern cutaway lugs
Weight: 27.6 lbs. complete machine

Components

Wheels: 27 x 1 ¼” Dunlop special lightweight high pressure steel 32/40-hole rims, 15/17G double butted Wheelsmith spokes (4x in back, 3x in front), BH Airlite Continental high flange hubs with Raleigh domed axle nuts
Chainset: Williams C.1200 46t with 6 ¾” fluted cranks
Bottom bracket: custom 1948-54 RRA pattern with hollow bb spindle (original to machine)
Pedals: Raleigh steel quill road racing with Christophe toe-clips and white Cyclo toestraps
Gears: Benelux Mark 7 derailleur 5-speed
Freewheel: Regina 14-16-18-20-22 t
Gear lever: Benelux
Chain: Renold Elite 3/32”
Brakes: GB alloy Coureur side-pull calipers with Super Hood alloy levers, white GB rubber hoods and white fluted cables
Headset: Raleigh chromed steel
Stem & handlebars: Raleigh Lenton pattern 2” chromed steel stem, Raleigh Reg Harris Road Bend chromed steel handlebars 15” c-c, 5” drop and 4½” throw, Bluemels white plastic tape and plugs.
Saddle: Brooks B17 Narrow Competition with chromed undercarriage.
Seat pin: Reynolds domed top alloy (original to machine)
Mudguards: Britannialloy white plastic (from 1958 Lenton Grand Prix)
Pump: 18” Bluemels plastic
Lamp bracket: Raleigh front fork boss-mounted