Gallery: Darrell’s 1978 Raleigh Record Ace (the Blackadder)
[Darrell sent us these photos of his gorgeous path racer. —ed.]
Blackadder is my take on the classic English path racer. I set myself the challenge to build the bike with mostly new parts for less than its handbuilt English counterpart. Sure, Blackadder doesn’t have a Reynolds 531 frame and a long wheelbase, but it’s not too shabby. Actually I started with a Raleigh Record Ace frame, supposedly a non-export frame since it has pump pegs under the top tube. I laced the wheelset myself using Sturmey Archer hubs and Sun CR-18 rims. The project was finished so late in the season that I’ve only logged a couple of miles. I’m looking forward to some excellent rides starting in the spring.
Darrell Yarborough
Arlington Heights, IL
- Frame – 1978 Raleigh Record Ace
- Powdercoating – Powdercoat Studio, Traverse City, Michigan
- Wheels – Homebuilt (Sturmey Archer Hubs, Sun CR-18 Rims)
- Tires – Schwalbe DeltaCruisers 700×35
- Handlebars – Nitto B-352AA
- Brake Handles – Origin8 ProPulsion
- Grips – Cardiff Julian
- Stem – Nitto Technomic
- Crank – Sugino XD2
- Bottom Bracket – Phil Wood
- Pedals – MKS Sylvan Stream
- Chain – Wipperman Connex
- Saddle – Brooks B17 Special with copper plated rails
- Seatpost – Kalloy 27.2mm
- Leather Panniers – eBay
- Pannier Mounts – Rixen & Kaul
- Rack – Tubus Fly 41000
- Frame Pump – Silca 42 cm
- Headlamp – Vintage Union
14 Responses to “Gallery: Darrell’s 1978 Raleigh Record Ace (the Blackadder)”
What a beauty! I wonder if Darryl actually met his budgetary goals. As I am embarking on my own bike restoration project, I’m realizing how expensive it might really end up being to restore an old bike!
Beauty.
I have one of these! It’s in pretty rough shape – It’s a “project bike” that I intend to use as my “skinny bike” once I lose some weight.
My only criticism with this build is that the powedercoating obscures the gorgeous lugged construction around the head tube and on the fork.
What a beautiful bike. The Silca pump really completes it.
Wonderfull, and the best presentation of black rims I have ever seen.
With those saddle bags it looks like a perfect 1950′s barristers bike.
Cheers, Alistair
Sweet build!
My original target was £800 (about $1200). Here’s the full build thread on Velospace:
http://velospace.org/forums/discussion/3107/project-blackadder-build-a-guvnor-lookalike-for-less-than-800/#Item_40
It wasn’t exactly a no expense spared project, but there were several extravagances that could have been trimmed a bit. What it comes down to was that I had a great time getting the parts and building the bike. The practical solution would be to buy a real Guv’nor.
In a word: Brilliant.
Although, I’m a big chain-guard/fender proponent, the look this particular bike would be ruined by them. Terrific looking bike…
Very pretty. Very pretty indeed; but I will add the usual notation that what makes a path racer a path racer is that it has a fixed gear and either no or removable brakes, so this is a “club” bike.
Inspiring! Hope the one I’m working on comes out as nice.
Dreamlet: I used to sneer at what sellers were asking for for their fixie conversions, until I started buying parts for my project. Ouch!
Nick W.
My RRA actually has stainless fenders… they look magnificent, even tho the years have taken their toll. I may replace them with VO, Honjo or Berthoud alloy fenders in the final build, tho.
I’m building a similar one right now as well. I like the frame coloured rims and cream tyre combo. The drum brakes really clean up the bike too. Super nice.
Beautiful build! When I first saw it on my iPhone I thought it was my Pashley Guv’nor..
Rick
Gold Country Cyclery