04/30/2026
Vintage Early ’50s Raleigh RRA Restoration
This has been an ongoing project for a number of years. I know it's been on my books at least since March of 2023 based on the dates of my first photos. But it's probably been longer because those first photos were of damage I discovered when I stripped the VERY BAD rattle can paint job. I don't remember how long it hung on a hook waiting to get stripped.
In any case, about the RRA (Raleigh Record Ace) — If I've got my facts right, Raleigh started making these sometime in the ’30s. It was their top of the line bicycle. The frame and fork were both made from butted Reynolds 531 tubing. The lugs were beautifully thinned/filed and brazed. Seriously, I have never seen a Raleigh with this level of workmanship! The bicycle was equipped with all sorts of parts made specifically for the RRA. And, to top all that off, Raleigh would paint the bicycle in any Raleigh color. The customer also had a choice of the decal set available in 7 different color combinations.
It has been repainted in what we believe to be the original color. This is based on traces of paint found in nooks and crannies after I stripped the rattle can paint. There was no remaining evidence of the original decal color combination, so we picked one we thought would look nice. The rear triangle and fork blades have been rechromed. I replaced both chain stays, the chain stay bridge and rolled and filled two small dents on the top tube.
