1947 Raleigh Record Ace

model no. 26
serial no. 390398P

Purchased from Paul Raley in January 2017 who beautifully restored this himself, winning the Best of British Award at the 2009 Cirque du Cyclisme.

Back on the road 13 May 2017

Although announced in March 1946, the new post-war model of the Raleigh Record Ace was long delayed in production and was not formally introduced until the November 1947 Raleigh cycle show. Production of the frames began in mid to late 1947. Orders were accepted in early 1948 but it wasn't until that April that the first machines were delivered.

This is one of the first RRAs with a serial number indicating a late 1947 frame manufacture and one of those initially delivered in mid 1948.

As benefitting this rare early example, considerable effort has been made to ensure she has been equipped with the period correct fitments for mid 1948 when she was most likely delivered:

• Original pattern solid nickel silver bottom bracket spindle (1948 models only)
• Original pattern RRA chainset with more profiled cranks (1948-50)
• Original pattern Record left-hand round fork blade lamp bracket (c. 1932-48)
• NOS Sturmey AM three-speed medium ratio hub gear, 1948 6 (June 1948) date code, steel shell (the alloy shell version not coming into supply until the following year)
• Sturmey-Archer 3-4-speed “black face” trigger” shifter new 1948 pattern


Frame/Fork
Material: Reynolds 531 butted tubing, thin taper backstays and chainstays.
Braze ons: Sturmey Archer gear pulley boss, pump pegs on bottom, rear brake cable stops on top tube, fixing bosses for RRA pattern saddle bag support, mudguard eyelets on rear stays and forks, tail lamp fitting and chainrest. Tecalemit lubricators for bottom bracket races and bottom headrace.
Fork: round to round section blades of Reynolds 531. Reynolds 531 butted steering stem.
Lugs: RRA pattern cutaway lugs
Finish: repaint (by Paul Raley) Silver Lustre matched from the original paint. 8” chromium plating on front fork ends and 6” on rear triangle ends.
Size: seat tube 23½” (c to t), top tube 22½” (c to c)
Angles: 73° (head) 71° (seat)
Fork rake: 2½”
Wheelbase: 41 9/16”
Bottom bracket height: 11⅛”
Chainstay length: 17¼ “
Rear spacing: 118 mm

Components
Wheels: 27 x 1 (700) Conloy sprint alloy 32/40-hole rims and Harden high-flange alloy front hubs with Tecalemit lubricator, Sturmey-Archer wingnuts (rear) and Raleigh pattern wingnuts (front)
Bottom bracket: RRA specific, fixed right-hand cup with nickel steel solid spindle
Chainset: RRA 1st generation special pattern chromed steel 46t with 6 ½” cranks
Pedals: RRA special pattern steel and alloy quill road racing with GB toe-clips and Popular straps
Gears: Sturmey-Archer AM medium-ratio three-speed hub gear, steel shell, date code 6.48
Freewheel: Sturmey-Archer three-splined 16-tooth
Gear lever: Sturmey-Archer3/4-speed black-face trigger shifter
Chain: Renold Elite 1/8”
Brakes: GB Hiduminium side-pull calipers with alloy levers, silver brake cable housing.
Headset: RRA special headclip fixing, chromed steel, Tecalemit lubricator for top and bottom headraces
Stem & handlebars: RRA special stem, chromium-plated Reynolds 531, headclip fixing, 3½" extension with Reynolds R.R. 56 Hiduminium Pelissier bend 15/16th in dia., 17” c-c 'bars, Velox cotton tape and plugs
Saddle: Brooks oval badge B17N Competition with black enameled undercarriage.
Seat pin: Reynolds domed top R.R. 56 Hiduminium 10”
Mudguards: Bluemels Noweight celluloid with alloy quick release stays and special RRA wingnuts
Pump: 19” Bluemels Sterling celluloid
Lamp bracket: Raleigh original pattern RRA left fork-mounted
Accessories: Brooks Leabrook saddle bag

Weight: 23.9 lbs. complete machine (without bag support)