Building my Raleigh Super Course. Need some help
11-28-09, 03:29 PM
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Building my Raleigh Super Course. Need some help
I recently got a 1978 Raleigh Super Course frame to build up as a project. I have been tinkering for a few months but this is my first time starting from a frame. I probably spent too much for 531 main tubes only but it is my size and I liked it 
Ebay link to frame.
I want to build it as close to stock as I can without spending insane amounts of money.
I already have a Cyclone GT RD, random Sun Tour FD (until I get a Cyclone front), Suntour Bar Ends and hardware, Raleigh SR seat post, alloy stem and bars (from a Grand Prix), levers and hoods and what I think might be an Ideale saddle (but I'm not sure and neither was C&V).
I need a wheelset and crank/bottom bracket but don't really know where to start or what I need.
From searching I have found that the 78 Super Course should take a standard square taper 68mm BB but I'm not sure what I should get and what width it should be. Also I don't know how to choose a crankset to match with the BB.
It takes 700c wheels and all of my other bikes (older and lower end) are 27x1 1/4. I don't have any experience with 700c wheels and don't know what I need. Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but will any old 700c wheels work or is there something specific I need.
I doubt I will be able to find the "Weinmann 700c Alloy Concave A124 Narrow Section" wheels that it came with but I'm not worried about that.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Ebay link to frame.
I want to build it as close to stock as I can without spending insane amounts of money.
I already have a Cyclone GT RD, random Sun Tour FD (until I get a Cyclone front), Suntour Bar Ends and hardware, Raleigh SR seat post, alloy stem and bars (from a Grand Prix), levers and hoods and what I think might be an Ideale saddle (but I'm not sure and neither was C&V).
I need a wheelset and crank/bottom bracket but don't really know where to start or what I need.
From searching I have found that the 78 Super Course should take a standard square taper 68mm BB but I'm not sure what I should get and what width it should be. Also I don't know how to choose a crankset to match with the BB.
It takes 700c wheels and all of my other bikes (older and lower end) are 27x1 1/4. I don't have any experience with 700c wheels and don't know what I need. Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but will any old 700c wheels work or is there something specific I need.
I doubt I will be able to find the "Weinmann 700c Alloy Concave A124 Narrow Section" wheels that it came with but I'm not worried about that.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
11-28-09, 03:45 PM
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hi, I have a 1977 SC that i plan on rebuilding to stock. The ones that I have seen had a Suntour compe V front derailleur and a Brooks Professional saddle or a suede one. The 1978 was similar but all the info is at
Sheldon.s site here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroral...talog-1978.pdf has the 1978 catalog with all the parts listed.
Sheldon.s site here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroral...talog-1978.pdf has the 1978 catalog with all the parts listed.
11-28-09, 03:58 PM
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nice looking frame. your planning to build it with suntour? if you browse ebay from time to time you may come across a nice set of wheels. I would certainly wait until after you get the frame to shop for wheels as you may be able to use 27" ones with a short reach brake.
as for the BB square taper or cottered is what was in use then. you need a english BB (cups 1.37) and the spindle length depends on the crank you will be using. I would use a cartridge style BB unless you are really hung up originality.
as for the BB square taper or cottered is what was in use then. you need a english BB (cups 1.37) and the spindle length depends on the crank you will be using. I would use a cartridge style BB unless you are really hung up originality.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
11-28-09, 04:15 PM
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Polishing compound, used carefully, could restore that paint quite well.
+1 I would be hunting some nice Suntour components, or better yet, a good donor bike.
+1 I would be hunting some nice Suntour components, or better yet, a good donor bike.
11-28-09, 07:02 PM
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I have the frame and just threw it together with everything I have for it right now and a random set of 27" wheels I had. The seat angle needs to be adjusted but I was battling with the clamp/mounting thing (my first seat post with this integrated mount).
The bike came stock with the Suntour bits I have for it right now but I am currently running ARX and Suntour Power shifters on my Fuji and I LOVE them so I have high hopes for the Cyclone.
I didn't even think to try 27" wheels because I just assumed they wouldn't fit but they appear to. Thanks Bianchigirll! I will need some short reach brakes though...I guess that is better than needing a wheelset right?
I am keeping my eye out for a suntour FD.
I wiped the frame down with some WD-40 and a rag and it already looks better. I will try to polish it out for real though and will post pictures when I do.
Here is how the bike sits now. The wheels are just to test fit, the hubs are Nuovo Tipo but laced to a junk steel rim in the back and a no-name alu front.
I plan to wrap the bars to match the color of the saddle and will probably try cotton tape and shellac it.
nice looking frame. your planning to build it with suntour? if you browse ebay from time to time you may come across a nice set of wheels. I would certainly wait until after you get the frame to shop for wheels as you may be able to use 27" ones with a short reach brake.
as for the BB square taper or cottered is what was in use then. you need a english BB (cups 1.37) and the spindle length depends on the crank you will be using. I would use a cartridge style BB unless you are really hung up originality.
as for the BB square taper or cottered is what was in use then. you need a english BB (cups 1.37) and the spindle length depends on the crank you will be using. I would use a cartridge style BB unless you are really hung up originality.
I didn't even think to try 27" wheels because I just assumed they wouldn't fit but they appear to. Thanks Bianchigirll! I will need some short reach brakes though...I guess that is better than needing a wheelset right?
I wiped the frame down with some WD-40 and a rag and it already looks better. I will try to polish it out for real though and will post pictures when I do.
Here is how the bike sits now. The wheels are just to test fit, the hubs are Nuovo Tipo but laced to a junk steel rim in the back and a no-name alu front.
I plan to wrap the bars to match the color of the saddle and will probably try cotton tape and shellac it.
11-28-09, 07:08 PM
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Looking pretty good so far!
11-28-09, 09:17 PM
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You DEFINITELY need some of the Suntour stainless steel spring housing for the bars and RD. FD too if you can find it. I had a similar one that I sold recently.,,,,BD
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11-28-09, 11:33 PM
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I added a bottom bracket and crank that I "borrowed" from a Lotus Challenger I picked up at the town dump a few weeks ago. The pedals aren't pretty but will work for the time being.
I also tried some sidepulls off of a women's frame Raleigh Capri I had lying around. Unfortunately the reach is a little too long--probably for the better because the bike deserves proper short reach centerpulls.
Mr. Kitty approves of the Cyclone RD too...
11-29-09, 02:00 AM
#9
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Are you using Weinmann levers, or Dia Compe.. I have a set around here somewhere, and they look to be in nearly NOS shape. DC's I mean.. I might even have the headset washer/housing hanger. Excellent job
securing the rear adjuster by the way, Those are easy to lose, and hard to find. The crank was probably a Raleigh branded SR, IIRC. I am in the process of going through my massive accumulation of parts, and will take a couple
of pics of what I have, if you're interested? We're talking very cheap or free.,,,,BD
Who would have known I had four sets of bull moose mtb bars. I certainly didn't, lol.
securing the rear adjuster by the way, Those are easy to lose, and hard to find. The crank was probably a Raleigh branded SR, IIRC. I am in the process of going through my massive accumulation of parts, and will take a couple
of pics of what I have, if you're interested? We're talking very cheap or free.
,,,,BDWho would have known I had four sets of bull moose mtb bars. I certainly didn't, lol.
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11-29-09, 07:23 AM
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I recently got a 1978 Raleigh Super Course frame to build up as a project. I have been tinkering for a few months but this is my first time starting from a frame. I probably spent too much for 531 main tubes only but it is my size and I liked it
Ebay link to frame.
I want to build it as close to stock as I can without spending insane amounts of money.
I already have a Cyclone GT RD, random Sun Tour FD (until I get a Cyclone front), Suntour Bar Ends and hardware, Raleigh SR seat post, alloy stem and bars (from a Grand Prix), levers and hoods and what I think might be an Ideale saddle (but I'm not sure and neither was C&V).
I need a wheelset and crank/bottom bracket but don't really know where to start or what I need.
From searching I have found that the 78 Super Course should take a standard square taper 68mm BB but I'm not sure what I should get and what width it should be. Also I don't know how to choose a crankset to match with the BB.
It takes 700c wheels and all of my other bikes (older and lower end) are 27x1 1/4. I don't have any experience with 700c wheels and don't know what I need. Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but will any old 700c wheels work or is there something specific I need.
I doubt I will be able to find the "Weinmann 700c Alloy Concave A124 Narrow Section" wheels that it came with but I'm not worried about that.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Ebay link to frame.
I want to build it as close to stock as I can without spending insane amounts of money.
I already have a Cyclone GT RD, random Sun Tour FD (until I get a Cyclone front), Suntour Bar Ends and hardware, Raleigh SR seat post, alloy stem and bars (from a Grand Prix), levers and hoods and what I think might be an Ideale saddle (but I'm not sure and neither was C&V).
I need a wheelset and crank/bottom bracket but don't really know where to start or what I need.
From searching I have found that the 78 Super Course should take a standard square taper 68mm BB but I'm not sure what I should get and what width it should be. Also I don't know how to choose a crankset to match with the BB.
It takes 700c wheels and all of my other bikes (older and lower end) are 27x1 1/4. I don't have any experience with 700c wheels and don't know what I need. Sorry I know this is probably a dumb question but will any old 700c wheels work or is there something specific I need.
I doubt I will be able to find the "Weinmann 700c Alloy Concave A124 Narrow Section" wheels that it came with but I'm not worried about that.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!
11-29-09, 07:28 AM
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I really like those two-bolt seatposts. It's a battle as you said getting the seat on it and tight enough that it doesn't all fall in your lap, but once set right it allows you to fine tune the saddle position really well. I found a smallish 10 mm box-end wrench is a great tool for accessing those two bolts (at least the Campy's are 10 mm). Both Campy and Park have made a special tool for reaching up under there.
11-29-09, 10:54 AM
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Are you using Weinmann levers, or Dia Compe.. I have a set around here somewhere, and they look to be in nearly NOS shape. DC's I mean.. I might even have the headset washer/housing hanger. Excellent job
securing the rear adjuster by the way, Those are easy to lose, and hard to find. The crank was probably a Raleigh branded SR, IIRC. I am in the process of going through my massive accumulation of parts, and will take a couple
of pics of what I have, if you're interested? We're talking very cheap or free.,,,,BD
securing the rear adjuster by the way, Those are easy to lose, and hard to find. The crank was probably a Raleigh branded SR, IIRC. I am in the process of going through my massive accumulation of parts, and will take a couple
of pics of what I have, if you're interested? We're talking very cheap or free.
,,,,BDThis is what I have been using for reference. Retroraleighs
11-29-09, 08:33 PM
#15
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I may have that crank in some shape or form. Maybe two, but I want to clean them up and see how good they look first.,,,,BD
Sonny says, thbbbbbbbbb, lol..
Sonny says, thbbbbbbbbb, lol..
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11-29-09, 09:21 PM
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Haha we're getting a little off topic here...Chris the resemblance is striking!
BD, like I said I would definitely be interested in the crank. I want the bike to look great but it is certainly going to get ridden pretty hard so as long as it is functioning well, condition is not super important. PM me or post here when you are able to dig the crank(s) out. Thanks!
BD, like I said I would definitely be interested in the crank. I want the bike to look great but it is certainly going to get ridden pretty hard so as long as it is functioning well, condition is not super important. PM me or post here when you are able to dig the crank(s) out. Thanks!
