borealsub

Hi all,

I'm new here, and have to admit right away: I know nothing about bicycles. But I'm very curious about everything, and love real things!
I ended up with a Raleigh vintage bicycle yesterday. The thing looks quite old, but is actually like brand new. No rust, or sign of it being used (has scratches that seem to come more from moving it around or storing it in a packed garage)

I searched online to try to find the model/year, but can't find any match.

If some of you could help me identifying if it's a knockoff, and if not, what is this good looking ride, that would be great! I have some vintage loving friends that will be happy to end up with it (original or not, but if it's worth more than I think, they might have to pay!!!)

I can't post pictures until I have 10 posts, so I'll try to give as much details, if anyone is interested to help me ID this ride.

The serial on the frame is # RD885047

It is written "Raleigh" on the diagonal frame part.

dddd

It might be the case that you can include the URL of a picture in your post, even though you can't post the photo directly.

Bianchigirll 

Isn't this a Superbe or something like that?





A Dynamo hub, that's cool. Is '77 the model year?

Bianchigirll 

Hello and welcome to the forums. I think this model is a Superbe or something like that. It was made in same style for years and years. Check the rear hub for a date code. Lots of these saw little use and going rate is likely around $100+/-

borealsub

Thanks for putting the pictures, and for the infos.

The serial is RD885047, but can't find matching details online to know what model or year it is.

repechage

later seat tube transfer, 12 77 date code on the front hub.
78 2 on the rear hub.
That is good enough, 1978.

nlerner

Yeah, the locking fork and front dynhub make it a Superb, and the front hub date code is likely matched with a similar one on the rear. It's possible that model just had the model name on the chain guard, which looks to have gone missing.

borealsub

Thanks for the infos !

I'll see how I can get for it now!

thumpism 

It's possible to find old Raleighs that look that nice. When my neighbor saw my Sports many years ago she asked me to find one for her to ride around the neighborhood. As luck would have it I saw one at a yard sale a couple of weeks later and that bike looked brand new, as nice as yours, and it was 20 years old at the time. I paid the ridiculously low asking price for it and delivered it and was repaid. I'd been tempted to keep it for myself but upheld my end of the deal. Twenty years later her husband gave it back to me after she'd left it outside all that time and it no longer looks brand new.

jacksbike

That is one of the nicest Raleigh Superbes that I have seen in a long time ! Most of the ones I have come across, which is rarely these days, are rusted wrecks. Enjoy this gorgeous bike !

borealsub

Thanks! I'll probably hand it out to someone
or sell it, as it's too small for me

cudak888 

It's still possible to find these in nice shape, and on some occasions, still new in the box too.

Some of them will also clean up nicely even if they're not pristine. A bit of automotive scratch remover usually helps remove any oxidation the paint on these.

As a rule, they're not terribly valuable (with some exceptions; 5-speed Superbes and pre-1967 models usually result in interest), but they're the easiest and cheapest way to get a comfortable, Dutch-like city bicycle here in the States. Their only weakness is the brake system (especially the late-1970's models with "self-adjusting" brake levers), which can be improved with Kool-Stop brake pads.

Tektro 800A long-reach, dual pivot brakes are also a nice upgrade for a commuter, though I'm not sure they clear the front fenders without some persuasion - I'll find out soon enough, as I'm planning to do that on a 1980 model quite soon.

-Kurt

cudak888 

Are the pics that Bianchigirll posted the ones of your bike? If so, a 1973-1976 Raleigh Superbe, minus chainguard.

The handlebars and stem are replacements, though the bar looks like a very close example of the original. Original stem would have been a shorter steel piece.

How tall are you? That 21" frame should fit someone 5' 6" and shorter.

-Kurt

borealsub

I'm 6'2". Yes, they are the pics of the bike. It looks like it's a frankenbike. Hubs from 77 and 78, replaced handlebars and stem, frame from 73-76, doubt the seat is original as well!

cudak888 

Yep, at 6' 2" you'll definitely need the 23" frame if not a 25"-frame Raleigh Sprite.

Even though it's a frankenbuild, it's obviously been done tastefully and well-assembled; it's very close to what it would have looked like originally.

I'd take a guess that someone had a 1978 Sports in the larger frame size and swapped the Dynohub goodies and saddle onto that one - though my theory is shot since the lights didn't come along for the ride.

-Kurt