artclone

I found a nice frame a couple months back but was unable to identify it. No serials stamped anywhere I could see. Bits of a Reynolds decal under paint, but nothing else. I decided to rescue it from single-speed purgatory:





Guesses ranged from a Putnam Holdsworth-made frame meant for store rebranding to Harry Quinn to Woodrup. The closest pic online I could find was:


https://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/...pskllqzpby.jpg


Which is very close. At any rate, being unidentified freed me up to have fun with it.


I always admired the Raleigh Super Tourer and needed a fendered bike for light-rain commuting so this was my inspiration:





Here's how it turned out. It came with Campy crank and brakes, Stronglight headset, ancient Phil Wood BB I had them rebuild. Powder coat was cheap and environmentally friendly, but dulled details as advertised. There's some sort of rust coat under it. I rattle-canned the blue. Badge is from a Vista I painted over and fake riveted (didn't want to drill or otherwise change frame). Decals from diylettering.com.


(Note to all, be careful letting your pre-teen choose a name for your bike.)











Rides great. I was worried about the bars, but really like the position. Would likely get tiring after a while, but great for commuting. I'll be adding lights and a large saddlebag for this soon.


Thanks again for BF for help, info, and parts. @juvela, @BlueDevil63, @nesteel, all of you.

beicster 

I love the name. Actually, I love everything about it.

clubman 

great build and colour scheme. Different!

artclone

Thanks!

I forgot to also thank the forum for finding the bike and posting it in the "Are you looking for one of these?" thread.

artclone

Thank you. It was supposed to be metallic silver, but the coating swatches were way off and came out primer gray, lol. Had to spice it up with something bright. But that's how these projects go - some choices are taken out of your hands.

BlueDevil63 

Very nice!

Kilroy1988 

I also think that turned out really cool! I can't agree about the name "squanch" being groovy - it is too jarring for my tastes - but on such a personal build I think it's at least understandable.

artclone

Lol. Not my choice either. I told my son if he helped he could name it. It is from a very PG cartoon he's not allowed to watch but somehow knows about called Rick and Morty.

nesteel 

Nice. Enjoy the journey.

clubman 

I used similar if not identical bars on my sons commuter. An odd bend but he likes em!

juvela

-----

Sounds like the planning was every bit as much fun as the doing!

Suggestion for the 440's - you might consider the addition of "villes" and kick-up tabs.

-----

artclone

"440's" "villes" "kick-up tabs"? What jive you talkin', brother? I finally figure out you calling manufacturers by their founder's first names and you lay this on me.

Edit: Okay, I'm hip to 440 = These Atom pedals. Kick-up tabs = little tabs for getting your foot into cages. "villes" = cages?

Maybe. Commuting on SFs "wiggle" means lots of stops and no real speed, so I'm going to try straight playforms withoit cages.

Plus, the Super Touring didn't have them, lol.

artclone

Yep, similar. Nice!
These are Nittos with almost zero rise, close to one of the GB All Rounder variants on the Raleigh Super Tourer, which used Suntour stem-mounted shifters. Shimano thumbies are in that spirit but more accessible from grips. And these Deerheads rock! Love their feel.

TenGrainBread 

Love it. Looks like a super fun bike that you don't have to worry about scratching up.

I have similar bars that are a wider with a little more sweep on my city bike that I love (Soma Osprey bars):

artclone

[QUOTE=TenGrainBread;19666947]Love it. Looks like a super fun bike that you don't have to worry about scratching up.

I have similar bars that are a wider with a little more sweep on my city bike that I love (Soma Osprey bars):



Exactly. I was even thinking of a cool little black front rack like yours but then a black and gray "Karimor" saddle bag turned up that matches and just fits my work clothes. I'll add pics when I fit that and the lights.

Edit: Wait, that's not just a rack you got there! Very cool.

ryansu

Very nice, looks like you could commute on it or take it off some really sick jumps ;-)

artclone

That's funny because when I rode it the first time I immediately flashed back to riding my first bike, a BMX. It really feels like that.

ryansu

Doesn't get much better than that

jeirvine 

Great project. I love the seat lugs on that frame.

Here's my faux Super Tourer: a Super Course with GB All-Rounder bars:

SloButWide 

I'm looking forward to a thread in 7 years, after the bike has moved on:
"Has anyone heard of a builder named Squanch? I found this neat touring bike..."


Looks like a frame worth saving, and an excellent recreation of the spirit of the bike.

nlerner

Nice work! I've owned a Raleigh Super Tourer and found that the fairly steep front-end geometry didn't lend itself to particularly good handling with upright bars, i.e., the bike needed my weight shifted more toward the front. I have a feeling your project handles fine with those bars.

steelbikeguy

Turned out fine! The contrasting panels and headtube always suggest a traditional paint scheme.

Like others, I was rather fond of the Raleigh paint schemes of the 70's, and really loved the Super Tourer's bright green paint and multiple black bands on the seat tube. Never did have a Super Tourer, but currently own a couple of Raleigh's of the era, along with a Hetchins with multiple black bands on the seat tube. Good to know that there are others out there keeping this style of bike alive!


Steve in Peoria

artclone

Wow, beautiful!

rando_couche

Oh my. That's purty!

JDinTulsa

Very nice!!

And kudos to your son on the name!

"Tiny Rick!" (your son will understand)