Raleigh RRA finished..nearly

Well after a couple of months of

slowly disassembling and reassembling

the RRA,( see in original state here),

 I have finally got it ready for the

first road test, complete with new Ultra Close

ratio Sturmey Archer AC hub with 

Dunlop Special Lightweight wheels.

I was really looking forward to this maiden voyage.

The initial ride up the road was a real pleasure, the AC

hubs ultra close ratios felt exactly right to me, far better

than the FM, AM hubs I am used to.

The first big ride didn't go quite so well, the indicator rod 

broke leaving me facing a stiff head wind in the 

toughest gear..ouch 

Still it didn't take away my enthusiasm for this classic ride.

Riding the RRA, you can really feel the solid British history

swirling around you, sort of like a bike version of the

 Bentley Continental R-Type maybe.

The best of traditional post war English engineering

 Fast, but not extremely so ( although I wouldn't say that to Ray Booty), 
well thought out, stylish and comfy.

I chose the Oppy bend bars, imagining who would be buying a

RRA in 1950. I thought it could well be an older club man, 

with a little more to spend than your average rider.

Knowing that Hurbert Opperman was very popular in the UK

especially after his stay there in the 1930's, he could well 

have had his favorite old bars fitted to his new RRA.

I love the shape and feel of these bars, with the GB stem

just right. I was going to fit a twin bolt Reynolds stem, but

just couldn't live with a short stem.

GB Hiduminium brakes work very well.

Strata cages with Cyclo straps, combined with the

RRA specific pedals, make a great package.

Airlite front hub with Raleigh wing nuts laced

to Dunlop Special Lightweight rims.

Hollow axle, actually the RRA is surprising light...
no really.

Bluemels Feather light pump.

 Original Raleigh bag

Ray Booty on a special RRA built for him by Raleigh.