Raleigh Super Course
 

I looked at a 1970 Super Course the other day and I'm wondering what you all think a good price is for it.

Paint is beat but the frame is not dinged or dented, reynolds 531 tubes, no rust, ready to ride as is but could use some love.
The shifters and Stem (and maybe the bars) are original...most everything else is not.

I'm looking for something to do some light touring on is this a good choice?

I have been using my '69 for commuting (20 mile RT) and it is solid. I over paid for mine ($200) but it came with a rack, bag and some extras. The paint on mine is also beat, it even has a california bike license number carved into it. I really wanted it though because I am planning on doing a full restore for my father and he will love it, so to me it was worth it.

In my view, the value is in the frame itself, not in the original components, which were nothing special. I've had a couple of early 70s Super Course frames in the past, and setup included a 3-speed commuter and a go-fast single speed. The geometry would be fine for touring, I'd think, and if you put 700c wheels on it, you have plenty of room for wide tires and fenders.

Neal

Used to be Neal's
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...f/100_0034.jpg

Old SC's make a great base to hang components on.

I paid about $120.00 for a mint '74 Supercourse frame but then I went irrationally overboard and 'invested' about 10 times that in building it up with hard to find vintage, NOS and Phil Wood components. I wouldn't recommend this approach unless you have a few screws loose.

Some of you have seen the results, those who haven't here it is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58605563@N00/

And it looks so much better now than when it was mine, too (see below)!

Neal

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bi...uperCourse.jpg

Neal,

Thanks, I like it in both incarnations. If I lived in town it might be wearing a set of north roads now.

I paid $150 for a sweet red + white mid 70s one here in the pricey SF Bay Area, and have seen plenty of others for around the same price. On CL they often ask $200, but I figure no one pays full price on CL. I also got a Gran Sport - same frame, but the fork is 531 also - for $150. Gran Sports seem to go cheaper than SuperCourses, even though they are a step up.

THose both were with their Brooks intact.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/...89be08.jpg?v=0

Bear with me...I'm testing how to post images...Here is my 74 Supercourse.

I realize this is not related to bikes, but checking out a part of your site from your signature:

THEM! (1954/Warner) 94 Minutes Black & White. 16mm Excellent Dupe in Excellent Shape
Without a doubt, the most satisfying giant incest movie made.

???

Maybe needs a slight change....although it may be a perfectly satisfying giant incest movie, I dunno.

wow those are really nice lookin. And I do think Green is the color to go with, it just looks right with the brown bar tape and saddle...I'll be needing a new paint job on this one for sure.

So if the frame is nice and the original components aren't anything to fall in love with, Whats a good recommendation for decent price conscious components?

I'm new to Vintage bikes (it just seems all the bikes I like are vintage) so I don't really know who's components are compatible

**edit** how do ya like the moustache bars and what do you use your bike for?

capricho, that is a courageous bike! :love: I had a Raleigh in the early 90's and wish I still had it. I saw one locally on CL and am putting my nickels and dimes away for awhile until I see another one that I can get. I'm glad to see other Raleigh lovers out there.:D

I don't know, I don't think you have a screw loose. That bike is beautiful. I got an early 70's brown one for free but some one let it sit outside for a long time. I still have it mothballed but those pics make me want to try and do something with her. Mines got Sun Tour components if I remember correctly.

Here's what I did with an early 70s coffee/brown Super Course:

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/SC3_2.jpg

Neal

One more shot of mine.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...f/100_0032.jpg

By the end of the English Super Course era, the geometry got a lot more "Race". My '80 is far more agressive than the '71.

yeah.. i really might have to go green.:love:

So i bought it! paid 150 and it rides like a dream even if it looks a bit rough..shifts smoothly and rolls great. the components are a hodgepodge: Weinmann 750 Brakes and levers, Suntour Shifters (non-indexed) and front and rear dérailleurs, SR Stem, crapola seat...kinda cool rear rack. And a mirror. I can make out a logo on the hubs but i don't know what it is. Thanks for all the input guys after seeing some of your Super Courses it really got me turned on to this bike :thumb:

Hubs have a large "M" on them?? They might be Maillard.. Good stuff.

After '77/'78 SC's were Suntour equipped. I built up my Green one with Suntour. Nothing I can afford shifts better.

This isn't suntour equipped from the factory i don't think. The bracket for the front derailleur says "Fuji" on it, so I assume thats where the suntour shifting stuff came from

Correct. Most of the components on that year's model were Huret. The Japanese parts didn't come along on that model until 1977. Lost the chrome then, but got seriously better parts.

So I rode it to work this morning and man it is nice. Shifts are smooth, although the front derailleur moves too far out and knocks the chain off if you push the shifter all the way up, gotta adjust that. Needs brake pads, and I'm gonna clean the hell out of the calipers and make em sparkle.

My immediate complaints are the handlebar has this awful black foam grip stuff on it that coated my hands after a 20 minute ride..and the seat has to go asap.

I really like the head lugs.

well i rubbed some grime off the various parts and i've found out some more about the components

the front hub that I couldn't identify is a Shimano
The rear hub doesn't have a brand on it, It just says "Normandy Made in France"
The front derailleur says "Compe-V" on it (is that suntour?)
The rear Derailleur says "Suntour VX"
Brakes are Weinmann 999

I looked on the bottom bracket for a serial or any identification and all it has is the letter "X" stamped on the underside of the BB. Is there a serial number stamped on the frame somewhere?

That front hub brand is Normandy, very common high-flange alloy hub on 70s bikes. As far as serial #, it won't give you much info, but it's likely on the left-rear dropout. From the lugs, heabadge and components, I'd guess your frame is from 1971-1973. Is the "Raleigh" on the downtube in cursive font? If so, it's likely from 1971.

Neal

nice lookin. Is that a rear rack on the front? If so, any fitting issues?

I've had a few Super Courses find their way into my garage at certain points.

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=1

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=2

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=2

Maybe one day one will stick around for longer than a few weeks.

I have a SuperCourse in very rough shape that I got free at the dump. Too small, & recycled bits off of it for other projects. If anyone here is on Cape Cod & wants the frame PM me & its yours. PM me