Raleigh Record Ace 1980

[Goofi]

Hey guys,

I have a 1980 Raleigh Record Ace for several years now which was I gift from my parents.
I can't find anything about that exacte same decals. It realy looks like the team professional, but it is not exactly it. If anyone know a little of this history of this bit I would be glad to hear it.





I just go recently into cycling so my knoledge about it is close to nothing, but it seems like all the part are quite new compared to the frame.

The bike spent at least 10 years in my so the frame in a little bit rusty. But now that I know that it is that old, I think it will be a good idea for me to restore it. I'm thinking about sandblasting it and do a new paint job. What do you guys think? Do it worth it?

Anyway, it deserve a good cleaning and setting!
Cheers

 

[Midlife]

Looks like a late Team Record with the black (not yellow) head tube and lack of chrome on the forks. Or an export model

Looks in pretty good nick, maybe just a good scrub up and polish and spend the three figure sum the respray would cost on beer

Is there a frame number stamped on it?

Shaun

 

[mikeymustard]

'76 Team pro maybe?

 

[Goofi]

Re:

Yes, it's not that bad, but the top tube sufered a bit more than the rest. The frame number is WP0000116, so November 1980 isn't it?



The paint on the forks are getting of, and you can notice some chrome under! It also seems like the head tube as been repaint black because you can see brush marks.




And then I found this bike on internet with the exact same paint job.
http://radpropaganda.org/raleigh-team-p ... fessional/

1981 | Raleigh Team Professional | Reynolds 531 | 54cm |Â # WB 100 2148 4 | US$ 561.

US$ 561 :shock: How can this be this expensive?

Anyway, it seems to be a Team Record record but with differents design.

 

[Midlife]

This frame is a real puzzle to me, I worked in a Raleigh 5 Star dealer in 1980 and I just can't put my finger on what it is. The sticking point is the seat stays, if they were an oversized cap design or fastback then it would be grouped in the Professional stable.

I wonder if it left the factory as an export or in Carlton livery and has been repainted, very nice frame though

Shaun

 

[torqueless]

Re:

The Reynolds decal in the 'French position' at the top of the downtube does suggest an export (to France) model. I'm sure there's another example back in the archives somewhere.

Edit:http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ;p=2393829
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ;p=2257724

 

[Goofi]

Re:

Yes, I live in France and the guy I bought it from also, so he must have bought it in France.


A finished to scrub it. The paint on the fork and the seat stays chrome was coming of, so I scaped if all of and I must say that it look quite much fancier than way.

 

[3wheeler7]

So, looking at the bikes that have been posted so far. it could be a Record Ace, a Professional or a Competition and it looks like Raleigh were really milking the TdF win to get the French sales!
There appears to be 2 different "heart" shaped lug cut-out designs - narrow and wide. Wonder if this differed between models or production years?
I'll get some better pics when I see the bike but the owner's away for a week or so. I don't think he'll sell it on yet, he'd like to get some correct decals on it - if we can make a decision.
There's a couple of 80s Competitions on Ebay at the moment asking big prices.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

The shorter lug is a Haden Royal I think.

 

[3wheeler7]

Sorry, my last post shold have been in my "not a Stratos" thread", I've copied it over there.