3wheeler7
rBotM Winner
Hi, I've always been interested in the unusual Raleigh "specials" that come to light every now and again. As a lot of people already know, if you worked at Raleigh and had the right connections you could get a one off bike built, rescue a prototype from a skip or build your own on the night shift. Being a Nottingham guy and having spoken with many ex-Raleigh employees, including managers, I believe this to be true.
Looking for your thoughts on this Raleigh RRA “special”, I've done a lot of head scratching but still made no decision.
I already have one pre-war RRA model 45 from about 1939 and three post war RRAs model 26s from the late 40s early 50s - some of which I've posted on here at sometime or other – must take a group shot when the weather allows.
This one popped up on the ever popular auction site about a year ago, bought it locally from Nottingham, advertised as a Raleigh RRA year unknown. That spiked my interest straight away (as one more can't hurt can it?) and looking at the pictures I first thought it dated from the 50s due to the immediately identifiable RRA diamond/ fishtail lugs and thimble fork crown, So I bought, paid and went to collect.
The seller said it was his uncles who worked in the offices at Raleigh and he remembered first seeing it new in 1973. This is where the puzzle starts.
It's an all 531 butted frame set with thimble crown forks, round section fork blades and an RRA lug set that Raleigh last used in the mid 50s - no later. The seat stays are considerably thinner than the typical 50s style.
The frame has derailleur cable brazed on fittings and pump clips and bare cable rear brake fittings under the top tube, There are no pips on the inside of the fork blades to accept the clamp on light bracket but there is a brazed on boss on the RH fork blade. All these are features of late 50s/ 60s/70s frames as are the mudguard mounting lugs. The rear spacing is 125mm OLN for 5 speed derailleurs and has not been set.
The decals are 1950s RRA and the 531 decal is early 70s style, the head tube badge is a decal not a metal badge. They are all dry fix not modern vinyl.
The paintwork appears to be all original, metallic light blue over the Raleigh black bonding coat and the chromed ends appear to be typical excellent quality Raleigh.
The components are, GB flat bars, Weinmann side pull brakes, Stronglight double cotterless chainset with chainguard ring, Huret Jubilee derailleur group set, Raleigh steel rims and hubs,
My thoughts are, bearing in mind that I have researched almost everything written about Model 26 RRAs, is that this is not one of them and it is a frame specially/purposely built in the 1970s using an old stock lug set and fork blades and all early 70s components for a Raleigh employee.
Could it have been modified from a 50s frame? - doubtful the end would never justify the time and effort involved.
Could it have been repainted? - yes but no clear signs of that.
Could it be a later bike made up to look classic? - I don't think that's likely, Raleigh only ever used this lug set on RRAs from 1938 to 1954 plus on a few special frames for the likes of factory supported riders in the late 50s. Thimbles on lightweight forks went out in the 50s. The 80s Record Aces were totally different bikes.
What does the frame number tell us? - well it's not very clear stamping but I think it's 056763AC Raleigh serial numbers were a hotch-potch of inconsistencies through the 50s to the 70s so no help there.
I've now cleaned it up and replaced some of the poor condition components and will post some more pics when the weather improves (as I can't even find space in the garage to reassemble the Mercian!).
So that's it, time for a few pics in as bought condition.
Looking for your thoughts on this Raleigh RRA “special”, I've done a lot of head scratching but still made no decision.
I already have one pre-war RRA model 45 from about 1939 and three post war RRAs model 26s from the late 40s early 50s - some of which I've posted on here at sometime or other – must take a group shot when the weather allows.
This one popped up on the ever popular auction site about a year ago, bought it locally from Nottingham, advertised as a Raleigh RRA year unknown. That spiked my interest straight away (as one more can't hurt can it?) and looking at the pictures I first thought it dated from the 50s due to the immediately identifiable RRA diamond/ fishtail lugs and thimble fork crown, So I bought, paid and went to collect.
The seller said it was his uncles who worked in the offices at Raleigh and he remembered first seeing it new in 1973. This is where the puzzle starts.
It's an all 531 butted frame set with thimble crown forks, round section fork blades and an RRA lug set that Raleigh last used in the mid 50s - no later. The seat stays are considerably thinner than the typical 50s style.
The frame has derailleur cable brazed on fittings and pump clips and bare cable rear brake fittings under the top tube, There are no pips on the inside of the fork blades to accept the clamp on light bracket but there is a brazed on boss on the RH fork blade. All these are features of late 50s/ 60s/70s frames as are the mudguard mounting lugs. The rear spacing is 125mm OLN for 5 speed derailleurs and has not been set.
The decals are 1950s RRA and the 531 decal is early 70s style, the head tube badge is a decal not a metal badge. They are all dry fix not modern vinyl.
The paintwork appears to be all original, metallic light blue over the Raleigh black bonding coat and the chromed ends appear to be typical excellent quality Raleigh.
The components are, GB flat bars, Weinmann side pull brakes, Stronglight double cotterless chainset with chainguard ring, Huret Jubilee derailleur group set, Raleigh steel rims and hubs,
My thoughts are, bearing in mind that I have researched almost everything written about Model 26 RRAs, is that this is not one of them and it is a frame specially/purposely built in the 1970s using an old stock lug set and fork blades and all early 70s components for a Raleigh employee.
Could it have been modified from a 50s frame? - doubtful the end would never justify the time and effort involved.
Could it have been repainted? - yes but no clear signs of that.
Could it be a later bike made up to look classic? - I don't think that's likely, Raleigh only ever used this lug set on RRAs from 1938 to 1954 plus on a few special frames for the likes of factory supported riders in the late 50s. Thimbles on lightweight forks went out in the 50s. The 80s Record Aces were totally different bikes.
What does the frame number tell us? - well it's not very clear stamping but I think it's 056763AC Raleigh serial numbers were a hotch-potch of inconsistencies through the 50s to the 70s so no help there.
I've now cleaned it up and replaced some of the poor condition components and will post some more pics when the weather improves (as I can't even find space in the garage to reassemble the Mercian!).
So that's it, time for a few pics in as bought condition.