1981 Raleigh Super Course
 

I have what I believe to be a 1981 Raleigh Super Course, which was a hand me down from my dad. He purchased it new in 1981. This winter my plan is to give it a thourough overhaul, and get it ready for regular riding come spring. Overall, the bike is in excellent condition, and seems to ride really nice. There are a few minor scratches, but nothing that detracts from the appearance of the bike.

Does anyone have any opinions on this bike or it's components? Some components have been upgraded at some point. Any particular trouble spots I should look out for on my setup? Also, does anyone have thoughts as to components which would be a good spot for an upgrade on this bike. I'm hoping that this bike will serve me well for my road riding needs (mainly recreational and fitness, about 3-4 times a week).

Components are as follows:
Sugino Mighty Compe crank, chainwheels, and BB
Suntour Cyclone RD
Raleigh FD
Chain has markings which read Ultra 6 HKK
Unknown 6speed freewheel
Shimano 600 pedals
Dia Compe Gran Compe brakes
Dia Compe brake levers
Shimano bar end shifters
Atom hubs
Weinmann rims
Mathauser brake pads
All other components are unknown

my first real racing bike. I think that the gran compe brakes are aftermarket, and as I recall the bar end shifters on mine were suntour powershifters, otherwise this is pretty much how I remember it. Check out
http://www.retroraleighs.com/ and look in the catalogs for your year and model...

As far as I recall this bike was manufactured in England at the Raleigh factory and it was at a point in time when they started to get rid of the European parts that did not work that well and upgrade to better working Japanese parts. Nicely built bike-Reynolds 531 DB main frame. Pretty sure if the freewheel is black that it was an Atom or possible Maillard. Shifters used to be Suntour bar-cons, as written above. Might want to install a nice comfortable saddle. Good luck !

Look at the serial number. Should start with a "W", then have another letter, and then a number in the 3rd position. That should be the ones digit of the year it was built. "9" = 1979, "0" = 1980, "1" = 1981, etc.