retro cycling

[legend]

Hi i've just got a 1985 Raleigh Road Ace racer bicycle. It's been stored in a dry garage for 20 years. I'll pop some pics up when it's back together as the wheels are off for some new tub tyres. Not sure if I'm still flexible enough to ride it

[retrolegends]

Love Raleigh stuff, looking forward to seeing it.

[legend]

i was off to pick the wheels up today and the 5 series blew a coolant hose, so looks like pics will be thursday at the earliest

[pistonpopper]

May 23, 2017 10:46:02 GMT legend said:

looks like pics will be thursday at the earliest

C'mon now, we've had two Thursdays since you wrote this... Where are our pics? lol

[legend]

Sorry lads i had phone/camera trouble.

I've been riding a 25kg full suspension bike to work for about 18 months and took this one on Thursday. What a difference, although it's taking a while to get used to the downtube shifters and in the sky riding position. knocked 15 mins off my 12 mile journey, so it's all progress :S and not bad for a 32 year old bike

[awoo]

crikey, that would have been very high end Raleigh when new

[duncanmartin]

That is proper beautiful. Are they tubular tyres? I commuted on them for a while about 10 years ago, but punctures are a complete nightmare. If you get fed up of them and get some clinchers for regular riding, keep these ones - then you can put it back to proper 80s spec.
I got rid of the downtube shifters, tubular rims, and beautiful shiny pedals from my 80s Peugeot when I upgraded it to Ergopowers and clipless pedals - I really regret it now.

[triumph63]

That is the Shimano Ax groupset, the frame was made especially for it. Quite rare in complete form. Don't strip or change. That is exactly as it left the factory, except for bar tape.

[triumph63]

Did you keep the plastic covers that went where the stripy tape is? they are rare. Note you have kept the bar end plugs, don't lose them.

Just noted the plastic cover over the headset, perfect. Does the stem still have the blue plastic allen key insert?

Does it have the Dura Ace bars?


bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Raleigh83/ral83_04.jpg 

[triumph63]

[legend]

it's from a guy who was an ergonomics consultant for Raleigh in the 80s. he got it at cost at the time. It's been in his garage for 20 years.

The tyres are still tubular, but I got the allegedly punctureproof one and put slime in them. I've a 12 mile each way ride through countryside with some monster climbs thrown in. combined age of me and the bike is 78

[legend]

it's totally original and even has the plug in the stem. any idea which foot long allen key i need to ajust the bars?

[triumph63]

5mm if I recall. Clever design by Shimano, both horizontal and vertical adjustment through the same hole. The picture I posted shows the plastic covers over the tape that would make the groupset complete. There are some serious AX collectors out there, enjoy it. The bottle, stem, bars and brake hoods/levers are capable of getting good e**y money, if you are so inclined.

A couple of things to note about the frame, the brazing for the downtube shifter is on the top of the tube, there is no cable stop for the rear derailleur, both only on the AX frames. 

The groupset was Shimanos first go at aerodynamics, every part had its part to play, even the little alloy thing where the cables cross. this was to stop turbulence. Covers over the hub nuts for the same thing. 

I could go on for quite a while about this groupset, but folk would fall to sleep!

[legend]

awesome, tell me everything. can't sell it as it's a gift from his widow, so it's going to get used hard, but cherished. the guy in the bike shop was drooling over the wheels

[triumph63]

The wheels are laced differently, all the spoke are entered from the same side, the pedals have a larger diameter mount with covers over the threads,

This explains better

www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Shimano_Bicycle_System_Components_%281982%29_page_1.html

Please keep together, there aren't that many.

[pistonpopper]

That is a very pretty machine, well worth waiting two Thursadays to view it!

[awoo]

if the serial number on the bottom bracket starts with W I believe that designates it was made by some special division at Raleigh

[legend]

ooh i'll have a look

I've done around 100 miles on it now and you can hit 30mph on the flat quite with a bit of welly. the front forks/wheel appear to bend a little under fast downhill bends which is a tad disconcerting. [15 stone weightlifter] But otherwise it's a lovely thing.

[legend]

I'm thinking of selling this, it's had around 1000 miles of riding on it since the pics and I've worn through the tyres. It could do with someone who will cherish it more than me

[pistonpopper]

I think you'll have no trouble re-homing this, do you have something to replace it?