Help with model year - Raleigh Super Course
 

I am looking at this bike tomorrow and seriously considering buying it. Any idea what the model year would be? I am assuming that the "Suntour Cyclone shifters" are the FD & RD as well as the actual shifters. Asking price is only $125.

From the ad:

"Mans Raleigh Super Coarse racer has 12 speeds with Suntour Cyclone shifters, 700C tires mounted on aluminum wheels that are quick release front and rear, a Sakae 3 piece aluminum crank that has aluminum pedals with sturips, Royal Compe quick release brakes, aluminum handle bars, and a purple painted frame that is chromoly steel."

My guess is early 80s. In the late 70s super courses had cyclone groups and 700c alloy wheels, but almost exclusively came with barcon shifters. And unless that "cromoly steel" is a guess, they all came with at least the 3 main tubes made with 531, which is not chromoly... $125 is a very good deal.

Yeah, he says chromoly but you can see the little green Reynolds sticker on the seat tube in the photo. I was thinking early 80s and I looked at some catalogs online. I just couldn't find this combo of color and decals in any of them. It looks like a very good deal indeed.

I think it's 1985. Raleigh 555 sl tubing, shimano 105 derailleurs

If this is the case, the head badge will be tell-tale: Mid 80s = "Raleigh Cycle Company of America" badge. early 80s and before = " The Raleigh Nottingham England" badge... But most US Raleighs had their model on a sticky thing on the TT, this does not look like one of those

i'm wrong about the year, Asian manufactured in the 80's

That seems to fit the specs for the 1985 Super Course, which was made in Taiwan:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroral...percourse.html

Neal

that's what I thought, but the '85 is a 'racing USA supercourse'. The rear triangle & forks would be chrome

Here's the 1983 catalog page: no chrome on the rear triangle:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/Sz...urse-1983_.jpg

Neal

Did you check out the bike?

He was busy today, I will be over first thing in the morning. He confirmed that it is Cyclone FD & RD. I'll post some good pics if I pick it up.

I picked up the bike. Raleigh USA, 531 tubing, Suntour Cyclones & Royal Compe brakes. It needs cables, tires and a thorough cleaning, but it is in great shape and was an awesome deal at $125. Merry Christmas to me. And you too.

Good for you!

Merry Christmas