Newbee: In retirement I've been restoring things. This winter I will restore a 1950ish Superbe Roadster 22" mostly all there. I will need an Owners manual, a Service manual, a Parts manual and the "specific" Raleigh black paint. Where might I find these items?

Black is black, I want my baby back.

No one sells specific Raleigh matched paint, but you are lucky it's black.

thank you. automotive black it is. I wouldn't want someone to say that I've got the wrong paint.

Take a small chip to a automotive paint supply shop that does computer paint matching. They can get it matched up and then you have the specific mix on file in their computer should you need more. Just remember that its probably faded over time and won't be perfect.

Or, just go with the generic gloss black, if it suits you that should settle it, but there will be someone telling you that its West Shropshire-on-Avonhamstead Noir, and that yours is about 1/100th a degree too dark.

Be sure to post here as you progress with this restoration build, plenty pictures gets you lots of kudos and our never ending gratitude. Even if you mismatched the black colourway

Bill

Thanks. I will begin this project in October. I will scour craigslist for a parts bike until then. Oh, should I use standard leather conditioner on the Brooks seat and tool pouch?

It will probably be hard to find anything like an owner's/service/parts manual. Post photos here, with your questions, and the experts will tell you just what you need to replace, what you can refurbish, and how to refurbish it.

If you go to the search button, go 'Advanced search' and put in "Brooks leather treatment" and then check the 'posts' box down below, you'll find dozens of discussions about how to do this and what to use. There are strong opinions on this! Less is more in most cases. Photos of the current condition of your saddle and pouch will be very helpful.

EDIT: I stand corrected. Very impressive links in post #8.

I will post pictures at some time before I get going. The key word here is retired, 71yo, I don't go for those fancy new phones I take pictures with a thing called a camera. I'm sure I'll have a million questions when the time comes. I would really like to start now but the lake is calling.

Raleigh catalogue for 1950
Note on p3 that Black was not available on the Superbe range!
1940s Raleigh Lubrication and Adjustment Hints
Raleigh 1950 Spare Parts and Repair List
Period BSA handbook


Brooks Maintenance and Saddle Care provides advice I follow

Current automotive paints are low-quality water-based in order to "save the nature".
They also have two layers: the paint layer and the clear coat layer.

You need a single-stage paint that doesn't require a clear coat.
Check a restored vintage car from the 60s. The paint on it will be amazing because it won't have a dull clear coat.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-3-speeds.html
go here for answers

Now I am really confused. Do i have a Superbe Dawn Tourist or a Superbe Sport Tourist or a Dawn Tourist? I'd don't know enough yet about the nomenclature to figure it out. It's 23" with rod brakes and full chain guard. Thanks again for the links. Richard

If it is a 1950 covered by that catalogue, then rod brakes rules out the Superbe Tourist.
What rims are on it? If alloy then Superbe Sports Tourist.
any serial number?

Photos would be very useful.