Raleigh Carlton Super Course (w/pix)
 

Well, it's been almost an entire week since I finished the last of my project bikes (although, truth be told: are any of them ever truly completed?) I went out to look at a vintage Olmo this morning and drove off with an early 70's Raleigh Carlton Super Course. Based upon the placement of the serial number, it appears to be ca. 1973 - but I'm happy to be corrected on this point as Raleighs are not my strong suit.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/...b7dee621_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3344/...e8729e62_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/...834240fa_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3089/...7317874e_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/...ef79861c_z.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3008/...70caa07a_z.jpg

It's pretty rough in places, but mechanically seems to be sound - at least on first blush. The mech shifts very smoothly on the stand. Reynolds 531 on the main tubes, and the chrome seems to be cleaning up with relative ease, thanks to Windex, aluminum foil, and a bit of elbow grease. Here is the front fork following an initial cleaning:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/...6841bce7_z.jpg

Welcome to the SC cult Azorch ! Once you're in, you can never leave !

You got yourself a prize there in a Capella-lugged coffee colored 1973 SC !
A little bearing service, cleaning, Scratch-x and OA for the crank and it will be as good as new !
- NO - BETTER !

I did a bit of research a while back when I found this 1973 Raleigh International. As nearly as I could tell, 73 was the only year that had the Carpella lugs. I could easily be wrong on this but my guess is your bike is 73. Perhaps you would want to investigate its vintage yourself by looking through the pages of How Old Is My Bicycle.

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe..._Tube_HT_2.jpg

I'm going to dig into the bearings this weekend. I took the old girl for a ride down the block, cobwebs and all - it's all surprisingly smooth. Felt so good, in fact, that I pulled the PX-10 off the ceiling and went for a longer ride. Man, I love these late 60's/early 70's roadies!

@Randyjawa: 1973 is what I'm figuring too. I'd initially guessed at 1971, but changed my mind after visiting this site.

+1 I tried to sell mine last weekend and failed miserably. I'm not upset.

Some Scratch-X would really do a nice job on the paint. I'd say '73 as well. Blocky Raleigh Lettering with the Script top tube model name. '72, both were in Script and by 74 I think it was already the Super Course MKII

Nice pickup. Yours is a 73.

My 72 says Hi.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_F...2/P1000103.JPG

+1 Zaphod.

...And Randy is correct, '73 was the year for Capella lugs.

You're going to love it Azorch. Get some Paselas. You will thank yourself for it.

Here is my 72 in coffee. ( I'm so cheap I only wrapped half the bar! )

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...ighSCsidea.jpg

Those are great-looking bikes.

I did the half-tape thing on Capo #1 partly to be period-correct. I think it's a great look with the dual handlebar-mounted water bottles.

What's the rear derailleur you're running, Auchen? It looks like Suntour something or other?

That's definitely a SunTour, and nearly period-correct, albeit a continent or two away. :)

Nice. My woman has a Super Course. I wonder what year it is. Haven't even tried to find out. :D

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...or_Sale851.jpg

Looks like a VGT Luxe to me.

AZORCH, that is the kind of super course I hope I find eventually. The capella lugs are unlike any other that I am familiar with and the cottered cranks are much cooler on the SC IMO.

+1

I'd wager that Mixte is a 74 or 75.

Righto. It is a Suntour VxGT-luxe.

Yes - MkII and pre-cotterless.
You don't see many mixtes in '531 - The SC was one of the best.

(That green and white is killer BTW)

Well is it a V-GT Luxe or VX-GT? Make up your mind. Can't be both. :D

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r_Sale1021.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...r_Sale1020.jpg

V-GT Luxe

Nice Super Course! Those Capella lugs make it a great and unusual find.

Neal

Neal, I wish it wasn't quite such a pain to clean the gunk out of the cutouts, but I agree: they are pretty cool lugs.

Auchen, I was curious about your RD because I've got the original Simplex - which, incidentally seems to be working fine. My experience with the delrin, however, has been that it will eventually break, especially when as it ages. I'll run the Simplex until something does happen but will probably look to Suntour (as I usually do in these instances) when the inevitable happens. The V-GT Luxe is one of my favorites, btw, and I probably have four or five of them cleaned and maintenanced and waiting on the bench to bat cleanup for the Simplex.

Azorch - I am still running Simplex on my Peugeot PX10 and Ue8. I think they are actually pretty decent, and personally I have never experienced a problem with any Simplex rear DR breaking, except for the somewhat frangible jockey wheels. However - I do not really trust the front DR and inspect it regularly for cracks.

The Suntour on my '72 coffee colored Super Course however is the better changer. I consider it to be functionally as good as the Cyclone II, but aesthetically more appropriate on these old bikes. (Can't get much better than that.)

My '73 say Hi, too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/Easter08.jpg

azorch, my '72 came with the plastic simplex stuff on it and when it broke I went with Suntour Cyclone.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_C...0/img_0571.jpg

Blast all of you and your BSC threaded 68mm bottom bracket Super Courses :D

BTW, I love the color of this bike.