Hello,
Just came home with this Raleigh Record Ace I found in the Local Newspaper.
It was not very expensive (40euros for the new tires they put on it) so I took it.

Since I am not a real expert on Raleigh bikes and this is the first I bought it
would be interesting to hear what people know about this.

It looks in pretty good shape, only has to be cleaned well and polished.
It has shimano 600 Campy Hubs and Mavic rims. The TA Bottle holder
is a bit rusty and has to be removed I think.
Stem and Handlebar are 3TTT. Only the Coda Seat looks so not original on it.

What do you think. Is it worth keeping the bike? When not, is it better to sell it
as one or everything individually?

Looking on the pictures one could think it is very rusty.
However, only the Bottleholdercage and the headset appear to have
some rust. Rest is only dirt.

Looks like it should clean up ...very nice

Interesting radial spoking on front and non drive of rear wheel.

yeah, I find it looks pretty cool! The same is on the rear but only on one side of the wheel.
Cleaning comes tomorrow maby.
Has anyone an idea what year that bike was build or some other info?

I am no Raleigh expert but, IMHO for 40euro you got a fabulous deal. the frame may be older but the shimano 600 is from the early '80s I believe. the wheels howver are much newer, the Campi 8spd cassette hub is from about '91 or newer and the wheels were likely custom/handbuilt since the rear is radial on side, and 'old school' touch.

great looking bike I hope you really enjoy it, should be a real head turner when you get it nice and shinny

what is the serial number?

It must be: WG0001374
but the first 0 I am not sure 100%

That's a very special bike, worth many hundred euros. If you love cycling, you will love this bike. Bring it to a bike shop to have it put back in good shape.

If you don't love cycling, you can get a pretty (euro) penny for it.

If you want to make the maximum money on it, sell the parts and frame individually. That will break the hearts of some of us here but not mine. Money is money, and you're actually spreading the love around by creating more value.

W = worksop
G = may
0 = 1980
remainder = production run numbers

per sheldon

1980? so I was pretty close with my guess eh?

If its a 1980, the 600 Arabesque parts could be original equipment....at the very least they're period correct.

here is where I insert a pic of my '79 raleigh track:

Serial number follows the same format, "W", then a month letter (I forgot), then "9" for 1979, then a series of numbers.

Thank you for all the info!! What do you mean by many hundred euros? =) and was that a joke or not?
Since the bike is a too small for me I will probably not keep it. I already have lots of beautifull old bike so
there is no space for a bike I could not ride with.
Tomorrow I will clean it and put it into nice shape again. Guess I will take some new pictures then again
and try to sell it here in the Forum or on Ebay. Not sure yet.
Also not sure about selling the bike like it is or sell it in peaces. Usually I prefer to sell a bike which is in mostly
original condition as a hole bike.
So if the bike is from 1980 it is probable that the shimano 900 is original. The rims probably aren`t but they fit
in nice I think.
When I see Norskagent`s fixie I think a potential buyer could also take some inspiration from that bike because
I find it really HOT.

I think he was serious Noglider does not joke about money. again I am not a big Raleigh girl but that bike is in very cood shape and worth a bit more than 40euro.

here's an archived discussion of 70s raleigh "team record" in the same colors. Not "record ace" but both being 531 frames there may be some carryover. Maybe piccio special knows something about "record ace"?
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/352111-raleigh-team-record.html

norskagent, did you ever race that track bike? It looks like a mean machine.

maym036, I was not joking. The frame is top notch, though the components are not. I can't say exactly what it's worth, but probably more than €400, maybe much more.

bianchigirll, did you mean anything beyond face value in that comment about me?

No, no velodrome around here. Just gentle street riding with the occasional outright sprint!

OK, someone please 'splain somthing to this under educated C&Vr. In 1978, the Record Ace was the bottom Raleigh road bike. Says so right in the catalog, "The least expensive Raleigh racing 10-speed".
Uh-huh!
SOoooo in two years it goes to a top end, Reynolds 531 frame? I need a Raleigh expert to 'splain that one to this good'ol boy.

nope I just meant that you would not be joking about the value of a bike.

here is a partial explanation from a discussion on oldroads.com:

"Here is the 1950 ranking:

Sports Light Roadster - mod.22 (most common sports model)
Sports Tourist - mod. 23
Dawn Tourist - mod. 12
Tourist - mod. 2(what we call a DL-1)
Lenton Sports - mod. 28
Superbe Sports Tourist - mod. 24
Lenton Tourist - mod. 29
Clubman - mod. 25
Super Clubman - mod. 25S
Record Ace - mod. 26 (531 butted tubing, built to order)


...and here is the 1973 ranking for comparison:

LTD - DL32
Sports - DL22
Sprite - DL90
Superbe - DL24
Tourist - DL1
Record - DL130 (now the bottom of the line 10 speed!)
Grand Prix - DL115
Super Course - DL100
Super Course TT - DL105
Gran Sport - DL160
Competition MK II - DL165 (very nice non-campy top of the line bike)
International - DL170
Professional MK.IV - DL180 (all campy classic)

At one point in the 60's Raleigh starting using S or DL in front of the model numder to designate either standard or deluxe specification. The "S" designation disappeared by the 70's. Our "DL-1" was known variously as the "Popular" or "Tourist", and by model numbers 1,2,21,22,and finally DL1"

It doesn't explain the status change of the record ace, but it shows Raleigh wasn't afraid to change the line up if it would improve sales, I guess. Similarly, they used the same red,black, and yellow color motif on both high and low end models over the years.

There's a similar Raleigh that gets parked outside in my neighborhood -- same paint scheme, but it only says “Record” on the top tube. It has Campagnolo brakes, a Brooks Pro saddle (left sitting in the rain!) and Reynolds 531 stickers, but doesn't look that nice, construction-wise. I can't figure out whether it's a high-end or low-end frame. I suspect the former . . .

When reading all this I am not sure anymore....this Raleigh Record Ace is a very nice looking bike, but could be low end, but is probably a high end bike. Did
I ged that right? My english isn`t too good so I am asking. Sorry. If I get more that 400 for it I will surely sell it. That would give me enouth to build up my
diamant Frame. Or maby there is someone who would consider a exchange against a campa groupset

Your bike was built at the Worksop factory so I think it's safe to call it high end. You got a very very good deal at 40 euros for that bike.

Ok, like I promised yesterday here some Pictures of the cleaned Raleigh Record Ace.