1984 Raleigh Road Ace

[roadking]

I picked this up a few days ago, a guy had it for 15 years but hardly used it, he bought it off a mates Dad who bought it from new and appeared to use it rarely as well as can be seen from the gp'4's braking surface. It's full of the rare ax bits that go missing, the bottle and cage, the cable clip, the clear plastic headset cover and the shimano bar end plugs. It's missing blue bar tape - sorted, correct lever hoods - hopefully sorted and the iscaselle tornado saddle - also sorted.
It's a lovely bike to ride, really light and snappy, definately a keeper

Very nice early Road Ace, with the shot-in seat stays and top mounted gear levers; and of course the early Shimano 600 group.

Gipiemme dropouts?

Interesting routing of the rear mech cable - don't think I've seen that before.

These Lightweight Unit Raleighs are very good and well underrated bikes.

See my 1984 Corsa on this thread.

Rk.

 

[shawnb]

No, it has a rapide sticker on it. whats the difference between the rapide and road ace? they look fairly identical from what i can see.

Here's some specs for your bike

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/R ... l83_08.jpg

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/R ... l83_09.jpg

 

[paininthe]

Gipiemme dropouts?

Interesting routing of the rear mech cable - don't think I've seen that before.
Rk.

Yes they have Gipiemme dropouts, lack of rear mech cable guide and top mounted gear changer are all the give aways. The rear mech cable guide is part of the mech.

There has been questions about the gear change and braking ability, i've found both wotk well on mine. The block to rim clearance needs to be such that you can remove wheel without messing with the brakes.

@Shawn £350 bargain! well done again, if you want to sell? Also i have some AX brake cable - not for sale

 

[shawnb]

Roadking, seen your thread before for your bike, what a lovely model. I do have a thing for these Raleighs of this era, they really had some kudos back then.

 

[kesman85]

Cheers Shawn for the linked info

 

[shawnb]

Gipiemme dropouts?

Interesting routing of the rear mech cable - don't think I've seen that before.
Rk.

Yes they have Gipiemme dropouts, lack of rear mech cable guide and top mounted gear changer are all the give aways. The rear mech cable guide is part of the mech.

There has been questions about the gear change and braking ability, i've found both wotk well on mine. The block to rim clearance needs to be such that you can remove wheel without messing with the brakes.

@Shawn £350 bargain! well done again, if you want to sell? Also i have some AX brake cable - not for sale

Yep when I think of what just the delta brakes cost me on my colnago compared to this bike it makes me shudder!!
I've just blasted along Brighton seafront again on it, everytime I ride it I love it more. The colnago's will be sold before this if I ever had to

 

[shawnb]

Cheers Shawn for the linked info

No probs, I'm still gutted I lost out on that bike

 

[shawnb]

A visit from the postie today meant the last few non original items could be changed. A nos isca tornado saddle came from Italy, new blue bar tape and white/grey lever hoods mean it's now as it rolled out of the factory in 1984 (as good as!)

That's it, all exactly as I want it

Just waiting on the nos team replica 12 to turn up from Germany now

 

[roadking]

A visit from the postie today meant the last few non original items could be changed. A nos isca tornado saddle came from Italy, new blue bar tape and white/grey lever hoods mean it's now as it rolled out of the factory in 1984 (as good as!)

That's it, all exactly as I want it

Just waiting on the nos team replica 12 to turn up from Germany now

Looks great, well done.

You've caught the Raleigh bug - the good one's are still well underrated.

We'll go for a spin when I'm next on the Sussex coast!

My Corsa or SBDU and oen of yours.

Rk.

 

[shawnb]

Thanks, and yes a spin sounds like an idea. I'm in Ovingdean.

Cheers.