How many left? Opinions please

[TGR]

Evening all,

As a result of an email I just sent, I thought i would post this poser to those in the know. My good friend, Mr Ian Raleigh recently bought a Raleigh Road Ace. The link -

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=289130

The bike has maybe done 200 miles - at the VERY most. My question is - how many bikes like this still exist - it is 1982/83 so 30+ years old.

I have been looking for any bike of a similar age and condition and they are rare - very rare indeed.

Opinions or definitive answers please.

Richard

p.s How good were Ireland today? How unlucky were Scotland?

 

[Ian Raleigh]

The last time I saw a mint RRA12 was at the Raleigh dealership and that was back in the early 80's.

If anyone does possess any old mint bike that has not been touched for many years I would
suggest they remove all the old inferior grease and replace it with modern high quality
grease as the RRA suffered in that the grease had hardened and not much rotated.

So if it was just ridden it wouldn't have taken long to fail or seize up.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Ireland were fantastic.

Scotland were not only unlucky.

If you leave your modern grease for 30 years it will likely be the same as the 30 year old grease is today. All greases break down through time and environmental factors.

I have no idea how many bikes like Ians lovely Raleigh are left.

 

[TGR]

After another trawl tonight, I cannot find anything that even comes close.

Even a 10 year old bike with less than 200 miles on it could be hard to find nevermind a 30 yr old bike which was much sought after at the time.

The crux of my question really is - How lucky is Ian?

But, I am willing to listen to opinions.

Richard

 

[The History Man]

There's probably a few out there in people's attics.

 

[bagpuss]

One of the crew at a LBS offered one of these to me a while back{Road Ace} . I am Sure it was/is the same age . £600 was his asking price . He has never ridden it . Last i heard it was still in his front room . A smart bike imho

 

[The History Man]

Probably in his attic now.

 

[TGR]

Mr History, You really are obsessing about attics!

Re the thread - I was thinking and i know a guy who has 2 Raleigh Quadras NOS NIB in his shed.

So there are some bikes out there, but the combination of finding one, at the right price probably is the difficult part.

Richard

 

[Jingle Jangle]

I don't think finds like this are as rare as you might think.

I picked up an RRA a couple of years ago for about £200.00, and I could find no evidence it had been ridden at all, it was as perfect as when it left the shop.

More recently, I bought a Roberts for about £400.00 off the 'bay. While the frame had quite a few scratches, they must have been picked up being moved around someones garage because the groupset - Chorus - is completely unmarked.

Similarly, I have a few bikes in my shed that I hardly ever ride, when I come to part with them down the line, someone is going to enjoy a 'time-warp' moment, and I know I'm not the only one with a bit of treasure hidden away.

 

[phantom photon]

Yes, if you look long and hard enough you will find there are still a few low milage rides out there to be had. I recently picked up a 1984 Raleigh from it's original owner that's lucky to have done more than 20 miles from new! Completely 100% original right down to the unworn tyres and rims. Will get some pics up once I get round to giving it a clean