fender1

I snagged this frame/fork/headset on ebay a while back as the only bidder. It had been mis-listed as a "Super Tourist" and the pictures were king of washed out by the camera's flash. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with it but figured worst case, I would get my money back if I re-sold it. When it showed up, it turned out that paint was in great shape and I realized that the tire clearances were huge. The wheels started to spin...no pun intended.

I had been looking at some of the newer steel frames that can take larger tires and figured this would be a good candidate for that type of build. The parts list is as follows:

1974 Raleigh Super Tourer
Reynolds 531 frame/fork/stays
73 degree head & seat tube angles
44cm Chainstays
61cm frame
VO 36 Hole Raid Rims laced to Campy High flange hubs
SKS 45mm Longboard fenders w/ the mud flaps trimmed
Compass Barlow Pass 700x38 Extralight tires
TA Crank 170 w/ Sugino 46/30 rings/VP-001 Platform pedals/Tange 118mm Bottom bracket
Tektro 559 dual pivot, long reach brakes w/ Kool Stop pads
VO Seat Post/Brook B-17 Champion Special/Acorn bag
46cm Nitto Noodle bars w/120mm Nitto stem/ Cane Creek levers/Suntour Barcons/ IRD Freewheel 13-28 7-speed
Suntour Cyclone GT RD w/ Camp Record FD (The matching Cyclone front was too long and hit the rear shifter cable)

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Chris Chicago

That looks great (in all 5 pics!). I wish you were local to me bc I've contemplated putting a build like that together and it would be cool to ride that bad boy first. How to you like the fancy jan heine tires?

fender1

Fixed it! Hadn't used photobucket in a while . Quick impression of the tires is that they are awesome! They are super smooth and corner like all get out. We will see how the hold up but for now, WOW!

otg 

I like it, nice job. The gearing looks interesting, I think I might do something similar. Most of my bikes have triples, and the big rings don't really get used much. That bike must ride smooth as silk.

jeirvine 

Nice. I had been considering that one, but I'm glad it went to someone who appreciates it, (and did a very nice build). Enjoy.

sailorbenjamin

Sweet! I've been working on squeezing some fenders between my Lenton GP and a pair of 700x38s. Definitely not an easy thing to do. Yours look great. Mine still need a little fussing with.

fender1

Thanks! That's your Huret adapter thingy working there, thanks again! The fenders could use some anal retentive adjusting but that can wait a bit. The funny thing about this build is that everything just bolted right on. No weird situations or hacks to figure out.

BluesDaddy

That bike has soul already. Very nice!

auchencrow

Such a lovely, seldom seen Raleigh. - Made even better for having the black fenders.

markk900

Agree - lovely build....those big tires make it look like a 650B conversion! Question - that's a really long reach stem - how do you find it? I tried one similar to that in the past and found it a bit sensitive to movement.

likebike23

Man, I love this bike. I am really liking the larger tires and gearing, looks like a versatile ride. I'm planning a similar build around a '72 Super Sport and hope it turns out like yours. Nice job.

IknowURider

Grail bike.

inkandsilver

So very awesome. Almost a perfect match to a theoretical build that's been swirling around in my head. You seem to have made my daydream real. Not quite tall enough for me, though. Did it originally have centerpulls? I have been wondering -- what other bikes from roughly this era have both high-end tubing and big tire clearances without going to 650B?

It is lovely in every detail.

DiegoFrogs

Amazing. I love that paint job!

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for one of these for several years now. They don't seem to appear to often.

Michael Angelo 

Great looking bike. I like your choice on parts. I've been wanting to get a V.O. seat post for my Competition, the TT is a bit short for me. Also Very nice wheel build too.

fender1

Thanks! I was looking for the appropriate Raleigh rear, reflector. I had one at one time but now its gone. They are pricey on ebay!

fender1

Not really. The TT on this bike is just barely 57cm. I like to be a bit more forward so it seems to work. The new tires improve the handling quite a bit too.

fender1

Here is a link to the original catalog:

https://www.bulgier.net/pics/bike/Cat...uperTourer.jpg

It came with side pulls originally. I had a set of Weinmann center pulls for it (610 front/750 rear) but there was no provision for a cable stop on the the bike for the rear. I tried a seat bolt hanger but the space between the seat lug ears was too small. I also tried one that was set off to the side a bit (old Dia Compe ) bit it rotated as the seat bolt was tightened. The Tektro's were a better and easier solution.

Cerrig

Great snag. Been looking for one for years. Prefer the 5 spd model with the nice chocolate color, but have only seen one of those in ten years, and that was sized for a midget.

Roger M

Very Nice, fender..

Looks really good and well though out. I've always liked the colors on this model. How do you like the longboards? I think they're the best of the plastic fenders because of the coverage/length.

Sixty Fiver

Beauty.

daf1009

Not quite a grail bike...but...one I definitely want to add to my Raleigh collection...one word...JEALOUS! Great find and great build...

fender1

Thanks and I agree regarding the Longboards. My only issue is that he front mudflap is so long, it tends to scoop stuff up if you are on a trail etc. I cut 3" off the front and rear for this build. The other thing that I like about the fenders is that they measure closer to 45mm on the inside edge of the fender, allowing for wider tires. Most of the metal fenders available measure 45mm to the outside edge and closer to 41mm inside. Not a huge deal but it can make the difference in fitting sometimes.

Grand Bois

A longer reach stem should be less sensitive to movement.

Maxturbo

Another ST fan!

I have two. A stock one and a modified one. Love em'!