Hi fellow VBMX tech heads,

I had always assumed that looptail PK's and RA-10's (with no gussets, circa 1983-4) were identical in size and geometry. Am I correct?

Is there a very helpful VBMX member out there who would kindly please measure his RA-10 for me?

I would like to know............

- The top tube length (c/l to c/l)?
- The seat tube length (from top of bb)?
- The short length of seat tube sticking up above the top tube?
- And the shortest and longest possible rear end lengths (c/l to c/l)?

I ask because a buddy of mine has just got a Race Inc frame and isn't sure if it is a RA-10, or the slightly smaller expert size RA-9.

Many thanks. Any info would be cool.

G.

What is the serial number? Race Inc's have the model number in the serial number from what I remember.

slightly smaller moder would be the RA-8 mini or expert then the 20 version with gussetts would be RA-7

The easy way to tell if it's a RA-10 is the no gusset thing, like you mentioned. Alu Race Inc Serials are prefaced with RA***** for Alu & RM ( I think) for the chromoly. Since reading & owning a couple of Race incs, I have learned that sometimes the year is determined by the 4th number in the serial number. I could be off my rocker here....PK Ripped???? any thoughts??? Hutch Freak? Help a fellow Race Inc owner out here!

pep

Thanks Bill and Pep.

I will ask him for the frame serial number.

Anybody know if Bill Bastian is a member here?

Or who is the biggest Race Inc nut who could help?

G.

Just to update everybody and just incase someone does a RA-10 search in the future............

- In this case Pep's 4th serial number brain wave did not work out as it is an '8'. I know Race Inc did make an RA-8, but this was a mini frame with only one gusset (behind the head tube) in the early 80's.

I'd still be very interested in finding out any of the info I listed at the top of the this page any time in the next 50 years!
Please contact me if you can help.
Thanks,
G.

Actually the RA-8 also had the gusset at the downtube/seat tube/bottom bracket junction. I have one and it has it.

1978???? Just a thought????

Hi g, thats awesome that your friend has a RA-10! They are kinda rare and there is not even one in the museum. I would measure mine but Trick Tracy still has it and its being annodized.

I just checked with the only magazine test I have on that model, the september 1983 issue of super bmx. They dont list a single degree angle, length or measurement but you'll be glad to know that the CC-1000 gives the RA-10 high marks. (crap magazine)

Pep, I never knew any rhyme to race inc. serials, you ahead of me on this one.

g, sorry I couldnt be more helpful. See if maybe you can post a pic of the frame.

How about a non RA serial # on an old frame? Any idea what years they did this? It has the pointed dropouts like an old FMF but there is no RA before the digits. How about a Cycle Pro, Peugeot or Laguna among some of the brands that used early Race Inc frames. Were they all serial numbered in order and then some went to one company and had their brands decals applied and others went another companies way?

Yeah, I'd like to know just how many bikes that were marketed were Race Incs. Let's see... I can name a few: Race Inc, SE, FMF, Cycle Pro, Rampar for sure. Laguna and Peugeot too? What others?

Race Inc like PK? Dunno. I think RI's were longer in the front. I would measure mine for ya, but it's a cruiser and wouldn't help. If your's is the pro size it's got a bend in the downtube by the bottom bracket and gussets if it's aluminum. If it's a pro size with a straight down tube it's chromoly. The "mini's" were bigger than your average mini. They were really almost standard sized. My brother and I used to share one. He had to get a mini GT because the Race Inc was too big for him (dang, I wanted the new bike.).

Race Inc experts: Pep and the guy at Retrofit. You can get pads, t-shirts, and soon jerseys for Race Inc from Retrofit too. Yippee!!!