Bike Identification

[71Murray]

Hi All. Just decided to get an old road bike for restoration and came across this Raleigh Ace on good old ebay. It looks all original with Weinmann brakes and Maillard hubs. I have allready spent a few hours trying to find some info about it but can't seem to find this model in any of the catalogues. Serial number is on the back of the seat post downtube and starts NE 3.... which puts it from Nottingham in 1973 (according to the websites). The problem is, i can't find any reference to the model 'Ace'. Apart from Road and Record. Any clues/ info or advice would be appreciated. I'm planning to restore as a Team Raleigh replica from the same year.

 

[classic33]

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/rra.html

What's on the sticker at the base of the seat tube. Carlton?
In which case it stands a good chance of being a 1983 Carlton Raleigh Record Ace

 

[biggs682]

certainly nearer to 83 than 73

 

[Illaveago]

It looks similar to some of the BSA Tour De France/ Britain bikes with the fluted seat stays, late 70's early 80's?

 

[raleighnut]

27" or 700c wheels?

 

[mikeymustard]

It's not a record ace, they would've had W prefix, first post says it's N!
This is a 1983 Ace, a little at down the pecking order from a record ace. There's an identical one on eBay at the mo.
Nice bike though, I like your idea to convert it to team colours, they're much more sought after

 

[71Murray]

Thanks folks. I think i just bougth the one on eBay. Only paid £27 for it!
Sticker on the bottom of the seat post is this. . Think 83 is probably about right. Its 27in wheels which I'm going to try and tru!
Just taken the front bearing apart and found 20 ball bearings. It was a bit loose and wondered if 20 was the correct amount or should I look at getting new cones if possible? Or just a new hub? I'm trying to fix rather than replace if possible.
Thanks

 

[mikeymustard]

Check out Sheldon's page on hub overhauls he'll tell you all you need to know

 

[classic33]

Any obvious signs of damage. Ring worn round on either of the cones?

What's the "cycle specialist" sticker. I can say it doesn't appear in the 73 catalogue, but there is one in in the 83 one.

 

[midlife]

It's deffo 1983. is that a flat plate with a hole in it joining the chain stays together? destined for a kick stand maybe which catapults it a bit lower down the ranking than a Road Ace.

Shaun

 

[71Murray]

Any obvious signs of damage. Ring worn round on either of the cones?

What's the "cycle specialist" sticker. I can say it doesn't appear in the 73 catalogue, but there is one in in the 83 one.

The sticker id from 'Partingtons Cycle Specialists' - in Bolton i think.

 

[71Murray]

thanks for all the replies- found it in the '83 catalogue.

 

[mikeymustard]

It's not a record ace, they would've had W prefix, first post says it's N!
This is a 1983 Ace, a little at down the pecking order from a record ace. There's an identical one on eBay at the mo.
Nice bike though, I like your idea to convert it to team colours, they're much more sought after

Hello?

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks folks. I think i just bougth the one on eBay. Only paid £27 for it!
Sticker on the bottom of the seat post is this. View attachment 127193 . Think 83 is probably about right. Its 27in wheels which I'm going to try and tru!
Just taken the front bearing apart and found 20 ball bearings. It was a bit loose and wondered if 20 was the correct amount or should I look at getting new cones if possible? Or just a new hub? I'm trying to fix rather than replace if possible.
Thanks

Give it all a good wash/wipe down and reassemble with fresh grease.

 

[mikeymustard]

thanks for all the replies- found it in the '83 catalogue.
View attachment 127228

Excellent job!
By the way, what kind of marketing boll'x is "controlled carbon"?