gster

Good detective work.
Chrome forks, yes
White steering tube, yes.
No green underneath.
Here's the inside of the fork with the original colour.

BigChief 

Well, I'm still learning new things. Never noticed before that every single Superbe I ever saw was green. Apparently, green is the traditional color for this model, so finding a blue Superbe is like finding a blue DL-1.

ollo_ollo

"Built in Dynohub generator lighting--ideal for emergency lighting in your fallout shelter"

"Conservatively finished in Raleigh Green befitting the Rolls Royce of bikes" Apparently, the Canadian market got a choice.

SirMike1983 

The Bronze Green/"Superbe" connection was strongest on US market Superbes from the 1960s-70s. These are the ones we usually see in the US today, but they represent only one variety.

Many in Britain, and many of the earlier Superbes were Raleigh green rather than bronze green.



Canadian market got some different colors, including blue or red with white.

Also remember that the term "Superbe" could mean several models. We're really talking about the Superbe Sports model, which is the Raleigh Sports type bike with upgrades. There were other models like Superbe Dawn that represented upgrades on other bike base models. Superbe was Raleigh's way of showing an upgrade to a particular base.

In Nigeria, Suprebe could refer to a DL-1 type bike plated chrome.



Pictures from the oldbike.eu museum.

clubman 

Dark Blue, Carmine Red and Gunmetal gray are the three colours I've had or seen in this Canadian model. Never Green with the chrome forks.

PalmettoUpstate 

Thinking of starting an IGH centric bike store here: reasons: https://books.google.com/books?id=R8...papers&f=false

BigChief 

Mystery solved then. Personally, I'd go with black paint and keep the white steering tube. The black and white and maybe white wall tires would look sharp. The down tube graphic is available in vinyl and they look great. It would be nice to reproduce the seat tube graphic. That could be done in 2 layer vinyl. Might be worth while to measure it in case you ever decide to have it made. It wouldn't be too expensive especially if you used a standard font that was similar even if not exact to the original.

bazil4696

I love these Superbes, and have done up a few of them. Yours has the "self adjusting" brakes that never seemed to be the solution, or all bikes would have this feature. They only built them for two years, I believe.
My favourite things to do to these is to mount Schwalbe whitewalls and switch the rear sprocket to a 21 tooth.
Both should be readily obtainable from your LBS. Dried bearings in the headstock, BB and both wheel hubs will keep you busy when the rainy nites have you eyeing that girl..The paint will POP when given some loving tenderness..
Nice score!

bazil4696

Nice snag, Gster!
I've never seen a blue Superbe before, or any other colour, other than fifteen different shades of green, depending on their previously enjoyed lifestyle.
I have a spare dynohub or three if needed, or yours has more rust than mine.
Text me if interested.

gster

These are the graphics I found under the repaint.

clubman 

So you're right about the date, circa 61 or 62. At this time the serial number for the Canadian models usually started with RC, US was RA and British were RB. Generally...

gster

Thanks!
g

gster

Here's the RC serial number with the third digit "1" as 1961. More good detective work!

BigChief 

3 of the vinyl transfers you would need are available. The chainguard all steel, the down tube Raleigh and the top tube made In England. So, what have you decided? Are you going to copy the original blue?

Stadjer

Where is here?

gster

Seeing as someone before me has messed around this bike's originality I feel no obligation to restore to factory specs...
Black!

BigChief 

It is nice to have that freedom every once in a while. Reminds me, I have to get to finishing painting my Rudge before the snow flies. Even though I'm not a painter, I can get respectable finishes with black paint. I hang the frame on a tree and use Rust-oleum rattle cans. That means I'll get a stubbley finish with maybe a few mosquitoes stuck on here and there. But with enough wet sanding the broad areas and using a rag with rubbing compound for hard to reach spots, I can get a smooth finish. Then I'll use a polishing compound to bring up a gloss. Takes me weeks to get a frame painted, but you would never know it was a hambone, behind the barn job by looking at it.
Looking forward to seeing this project come along.

PalmettoUpstate 

That would be the Northwestern part of the Palmetto State (SC).

North American HQ's of BMW, Michelin, etc.

An area that is sub-tropical Piedmont I guess it to be classified, and called the "Upstate" region of our fair state; hence PalmettoUpstate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upstate_South_Carolina

Stadjer

Thanks, but I got you confused with someone here located in Hannover, so I wondered if this would be in Germany or that you went back to the US. Sorry about that, the rest I could have searched myself with the upstate as a good enough hint.

I can imagine it is a good idea to specialize, especially if you're aiming for buyers who are not very familiar with cycling or the bikes on offer.

gster

I've had reasonable success with a spray can and after a good drying time a rub with oil.
I'm not willing to spend $300.00 on a paint job for a $50.00 bike.
If a bike has a nice original patina I, of course, will leave it alone.
Here's an example of a red Suberbe mentioned earlier.

gster

Another shot

BigChief 

I know what you mean about keeping the costs down, especially on a bike that wouldn't recoup them if you decided to sell. Still, strange things happen. That DL-1 I bought for 35 dollars is turning out to be my main rider. Total expenses are still under a hundred. Not bad for a favorite bike. Got to the point where I'm considering adding alloy westwood rims and a B66 saddle. And I have a really nice '54 40H AW hub I've been saving for just such an occasion. Would have to steal the 6 1/4" axle from the current hub though. If you end up lovin the ride, you could spring for some transfers. That would set you back another 65 bucks or so. Still, they do put a nice finishing touch on a restore.

gster

Agreed. I'm not going to rush this one as it has some nice qualities.
I'm amazed at the quality of the 50+ year old chrome. The rims on this one are virtually spotless and the hub appears to be shifting well. New rubber installed.

BigChief 

That's interesting. Somebody mounted the cog concave side up. I've never had to move a cog that far out to get a good chain line. Might be a good idea to give the frame the string test to make sure the chain stays are straight.

hobbs1951

Hi guys,

here is my very nice, original with just enough patination, 1966 Superbe. Purchased from the original owner complete with original dark green saddle and bag (tool still in the pocket) and Raleigh branded dark green pump and lovely large chrome bell.

It is a four speed, and as you can see, has the lighting set. On the front wheel is mounted an odometer (?) fitted from new; unusually I have the original key for the fork lock!

Hope you like it.

John.