1986 Raleigh Record Ace - all original - newbie restorer :)

[retro-rich]

Hello


I'm new to this forum and fairly new to restoring, I seem to be getting a thing for old steel bikes. I got a galaxy back on the road last year, although made quite a few modifications.

However, I now have a Record Ace, according to the serial code is Nottingham built in 1986. It all appears original, down to the pedals, mud guards and bar tape and the saddle. It's suffering from some surface rust and some rust around the lugs, also the chrome will need a really good polish.

I intend to keep it as it is and not swap anything unless it's found to be faulty, and then try to get the right match. Will see if i can get some gum wall tyres also.

I have got some cleaning advice on another forum but thought maybe this was a good place to ask, so any tips for cleaning her up or a link to some general restoration info would be great.

Hopefully the first of many restores to come

I've attached a pic, any comments welcome.

Thanks

Rich

 

[bowser]

hi
that does look totally original
nice find
sure someone will be along with some tips
i use car polish on the paintwork
i also keep things origianal if poss
use a mild 3m refinishing paste akin to t cut for scratches etc
and just buff till they come out or look better
have some autosol chrome cleaner for forks stays etc
again give it a good buff
for surace rust i use a very fine wet and dry and polish again
taking care not to go to hard

 

[retro-rich]

thank you for the tips - will hopefully start to strip the bike apart tonight and make a start.

 

[1duck]

i wouldn't use autosol polishing stuff its a bit too aggressive...but its amazing what elbow grease and some cleaning products can do, some of the best results i've seen photographed step by step are in the bmx section.

It's worth a snoop...

 

[retro-rich]

i wouldn't use autosol polishing stuff its a bit too aggressive...but its amazing what elbow grease and some cleaning products can do, some of the best results i've seen photographed step by step are in the bmx section.

It's worth a snoop...

Ok thanks will take a look

What would the autosol do then by being too aggresive?

 

[1duck]

well i know people on here use it with great results, i just prefer to use something weaker but put more elbow grease into it...autosol is just an abrasive at the end of the day.

The stuff i use is for polishing cutlery, i've also used astonish oven cleaner which is surprisingly potent stuff.

 

[lae]

Oven cleaner contains a small amount of sodium hydroxide which will (eventually) dissolve aluminium, so be careful with it.

Autosol is okay for polishing, but the finish isn't great because it's a bit coarse. Cutting compound for paint (like T-Cut or G3) are much finer and give a mirror finish. But then that's a lot of work.

 

[retro-rich]

Right, so the less abrasive the better the finish but harder work, yes?

made a start stripping the bike down last night, removed the stem and bars and saddle, and stripped off all the cables and outers.

 

[lae]

Yeah basically. A very easy way to get a good finish on aluminium is to clean with wire wool (coarse then fine), then autosol with a cotton cloth. Really doesn't take long at all... it's quite addicting really...

 

[Agency_Scum]

I'd say horrible/bum pain stuff first. Off to the ironmongers and new ball bearings for pedals, bottom bracket and headset. Needle-nosed pliers a must for the pedal refit. Standard gloopy car axle ( brown and cheap ) grease from a car parts supa-store will see you right. Tape cheapy supermarket bags to the LIGHT COLOURED AND EASILY STAINED handlebar tape whilst doing this.
Get that seatpost out and greased NOW.


Hope this helps.