Raleigh Record Ace, starting to come back together

[retro-rich]

New thread as can't add any more pics to the original thread, is there a limit?

Anyway, some more pics, starting to look more like a bike again now

the brake levers are non original but close, still Weinmann levers but a different pattern to the levers, slotted rather than drilled. Supplied by Zotty of this forum.

Wheels have been polished and wet and dry used on the spokes, the frame had a mix of tin foil, metal polish, tcut and wax. the chrome had autosol and metal polish used on it.

trouble is I'm not overly patient, but finally got it to a point where I'm fairly happy with it, although an expert could surely do much better, still have a few problems such as the bb doesn't feel great so may need a modern one fitted, and I'm not convinced the hubs are up to much so may need to look at new hubs or whole new wheels but need to invest the cash elsewhere. will post some more when complete.

 

[retro-rich]

some more

 

[zotty]

looking good so far bud .. top work!

 

[casper-d]

Yup - got to agree - looking nice and clean

Please keep going!

 

[biggs682]

very nice

 

[Bastos87]

very nice bike/job

especially like the matching lever hoods

 

[retro-rich]

Thanks for the comments.

Took it fro it's first spin around the block yesterday. Quite weird, especially with me not being used to road bikes like this. I think the position needs tweaking but thankfully the frame is not too large, could do with a longer stem though as I prefer to be more upright. And I'll never get used to those dt shifters lol, went to make a change and went all over the shop

I'll post some pics when I get chance to take some.

I'm starting to think about modifying it now. I was thinking what I could do is to completely remove the handlebar and stem and the dt shifters, and fit another set of bars and stem with some campag shifters or something for general riding use, with cross top levers for getting the brakes in a more upright position. Could keep the original bars and shifters in storage until I come to sell it on or show it off as an original, would be a quick case of clamping in the old stem and bars and shifters and rewiring the brakes and gears, any opinions on this? Not the bikes fault, just that I think I'm going to struggle with dt shifters and only having drop lever brakes.

 

[daccordimark]

Stick with it, it will become second nature after a while.

Mark.