Illaveago
Guru
- Location
- Chippenham,Wiltshire.
Some weeks ago I popped in to a Julian House Charity Bike workshop. I was out shopping with my wife and was just curious as to what bikes they had. I wandered around but nothing really caught my eye until I spotted some frames in a corner . I noticed one frame had Reynolds 531 transfers on it. I wasn't too sure what size it was ? Was it a 24 1/2 or 23 1/2 inch? I also noticed the name and make, Raleigh Record Ace . I had heard of the name being mentioned when researching my Carlton Clubman.
I asked how much they wanted for it and said that I would pop back in after we had done some shopping .
An hour later I popped back in and bought the frame.
When I got home the first thing I did was to give the frame a good clean. The Reynolds transfer had almost been obliterated but discovered that the frame and tubes were 531 with the main triangle being butted tubes. Most of the paintwork was in pretty good condition with a few scratches here and there. What some people call age related or patina. The real nasty area was on the right hand rear seat stay where there were two rusty areas. probably where a rear lamp had been clamped on . This rusty area was the first job to be tackled. I brushed on some rust removing gel and set about cleaning it up . After several applications it was ready for rubbing down and priming . I will tackle the spraying at a later date.
Sourcing parts was my next thought . I intended to use what parts I had in my spares box and borrow other parts from my other bikes. The wheels came straight off my Carlton Clubman. It would help me to do a direct comparison of how they felt. Both frames are identical when placed side by side , both being 23 1/2 inch . The only difference I could find was the mounting of the rear brake bridge, being slightly lower. This has allowed me to fit a pair of Campagnolo which had insufficient drop for 27inch wheels on the Clubman, there's no way I could fit 700's. I had a spare set of bars and brake levers, the cranks and saddle were borrowed again .
My first test ride was only short but I could immediately notice the difference between the two bikes. I have since put some more miles on the bike and find that the ride feels smoother than the Clubman. I am enjoying it and I'm also beginning to get used to the colour, a greenish shade of metallic Murray Mint.
I asked how much they wanted for it and said that I would pop back in after we had done some shopping .
An hour later I popped back in and bought the frame.
When I got home the first thing I did was to give the frame a good clean. The Reynolds transfer had almost been obliterated but discovered that the frame and tubes were 531 with the main triangle being butted tubes. Most of the paintwork was in pretty good condition with a few scratches here and there. What some people call age related or patina. The real nasty area was on the right hand rear seat stay where there were two rusty areas. probably where a rear lamp had been clamped on . This rusty area was the first job to be tackled. I brushed on some rust removing gel and set about cleaning it up . After several applications it was ready for rubbing down and priming . I will tackle the spraying at a later date.
Sourcing parts was my next thought . I intended to use what parts I had in my spares box and borrow other parts from my other bikes. The wheels came straight off my Carlton Clubman. It would help me to do a direct comparison of how they felt. Both frames are identical when placed side by side , both being 23 1/2 inch . The only difference I could find was the mounting of the rear brake bridge, being slightly lower. This has allowed me to fit a pair of Campagnolo which had insufficient drop for 27inch wheels on the Clubman, there's no way I could fit 700's. I had a spare set of bars and brake levers, the cranks and saddle were borrowed again .
My first test ride was only short but I could immediately notice the difference between the two bikes. I have since put some more miles on the bike and find that the ride feels smoother than the Clubman. I am enjoying it and I'm also beginning to get used to the colour, a greenish shade of metallic Murray Mint.
and built at the Carlton factory.
