noglider 

I've owned some high end bikes, and they do ride better than the Super Course, but considering that the Super Course was a mid level model, it's pretty darned impressive. It feels lighter than it is. It always gives me a smile. You will love the Panaracer Pasela tires. On my Super Course, they sing!

Duane Behrens

Sorry for the cross-posting, but I'm very close to getting my 1984 SC sorted . . . would appreciate this group's advice on a couple of remaining challenges:

1. Those downtube shifters. The RD only operates if I crank that retaining screw to the max . . . which the PO had done to the point of cracking the plastic spacer underneath it. I'm still looking for a way to replace those OEM originals with something that works. A source for a new shifter wouldb be much appreciated and meantime, I'll start looking at it carefully to see what people mean when they state "proprietary shifters." I converted my Nishiki from stem shifters to downtube Suntour Power shifters without any problems but am told I may have a problem with this bike. I need to know why.

2. Brake pads. I like the new look of the originals, but need a source for replacement pads. Thanks.

Bikedued

You wouldn't like it now. It has Pasela's and tan cork on the bars.,,,,BD

jeirvine 

The brazed on Shimano shifter bosses were only used for a few years and are not compatible with most other DT shifters that require a braze on. Lots more info here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...er-bosses.html

Suntour power shifters on a clamp-on band would work fine, as long as you don't mind clamping them just above the current bosses. If it were me, I would go to bar-end shifters, and modify a pair of these to go over the bosses:
Dajia Cycleworks Downtube Cable Stops w/ Adjuster - Small Parts - Shifting - Components

Hudson308 

Ew.
Dued you should save your eyes & just chuck that ugly thing in my direction.
Be done with it like Chrome Molly did.

nlerner

nlerner

And now built up with a 5-speed Sturmey Archer hub, bar-end shifter, TA 3-pin crankset. It'll eventually get fenders and lights (it has a front dynohub).

Zvolen

Here is mine I just purchased earlier this month after being out of the game for a few years, I am eager to get riding as well as some upgrades. While I didn't get a killer deal I think I did okay.

teisco

Got this Super Course and looking for opinions on what to do with it. When I bought it the bike was dirty and dusty from long storage. The story goes that the org owner used it for a back up bike on Ragbrai for a couple years and never needed so it rode on top of a car for several trips across Iowa but not ridden. So when I first saw it my intention was to strip the paint and have an all chrome SC.

I got it home and gave it a bath and found it to be almost mint, as in brand new. Now I am not sure about this paint stripping idea because the org finish and decals are much too nice to scrape away, maybe. Chrome is amazing with no haze, rust or pitting, paint is shiny and bright, components are like new - except for tires and bar tape which I replaced.

Sell, strip, keep it original or?

Pictures are large so click on them for more detail

OTS 

Just my opinion but I wouldn't strip it, it looks to nice to do that in it's present condition.
If it fits you and you like the ride keep it and ride the begeebers out of it.
If you decide to keep it make sure you do some routine lube and maintenance on it before you put too many miles on it
If it doesn't fit you, list it and sell it, but it looks awesome and worth some road time.

auchencrow

Many have stripped their painted bikes expecting to see see bright polished chrome underneath only to find that the chrome is dull and discolored.
(Even BITD, most manufacturers knew paint sticks better to unpolished chrome).

Hudson308 

Many of the painted chrome bike frames/forks I've stripped for refinishing didn't have the areas to be painted polished smooth under the chrome plating. The chrome in those areas is rough, to allow paint adhesion as you said. Others had the chrome plating sanded and/or ground to allow the paint to stick to the chrome.

cycle_maven

Keep it original. Ride the heck out of it. That thing is be-yoo-tiful.

Bikedued

Don't strip an SC from that era unless you have a LOT of spare time. The chrome looks okay underneath, but the effort to strip them nearly outweighs the results. They must have used etching primer. Getting it completely off took me about three weeks of my spare time. It's not the normal painted chrome frame that put stripper on, and the paint comes off with a water hose. It holds on for dear life, and only gets slightly softened. I finally ended up scraping it off with a razor blade(gasp!!!),,BD

teisco

I will not strip it, but soon will decide to keep or sell.

Hudson308 

What area/city are you located in?

teisco

Located in Iowa near Cedar Rapids.

Chip Lucky

Sweet bike! I'd leave it as is, like you said it's almost mint. Love the yellow hoods on yellow tape too.

teisco

Funny thing is I wanted white hoods and wrap but the local bike shop only had black. He then got some dusty yellow ones out of the back room and said they were older and no one wanted them so he would sell them for five bucks - at first I said "yellow?" but took them anyway and so now it has the yellow hoods and wrap. I never considered yellow but it turned out ok.

Supercourse71

Presenting a 1971 Super Course that's pretty much all original. I bought a new one just like it (same size, color and components) from Smith Bicycle Shop in Berkley, MI for about $115 in the summer of 1971. Reynolds, Nervex, Brooks, Weinmann, Huret, Stronglight, GB, Normandy and Huchinson brand names meant nothing to me then but I soon got hooked on bikes and riding. I sold the SC after a couple years and bought an all-Campy Italian bike. Of the 17 bikes I've owned since age 15, that first one, the coffee Raleigh Super Course, is the one that brings the fondest memories. It's great to find one on craigslist. Except for the primative derailleurs, it's still a sweet ride.

auchencrow

Nice snag there SC71, it appears to be in excellent shape - and what a marvelous first post. Welcome to C&V!

PS- If you going to ride it like that, you should confirm that there are at least a couple inches of post seated in that seat tube, or invest in a longer post.

GrayIS

Can any identify the pedal. Came with one dustcap missing and I would like to replace it. Here are updated pics.

Supercourse71

Thanks, Auchen. My used SC was purchased new in Monterey, CA and stayed there and in San Francisco with the previous two owners. Aside from being a California bike, it wasn't ridden hard and must have been kept indoors or at least garaged. A Les Joselyn Bicycles decal is on the seat tube. The shop was opened in the late 1940s by two brothers from England and remained in business at the same Lighthouse Ave. location before closing about two years ago. I switched out the original short steel seatpost for an 300mm alloy one. I hope to find some gumwall tires and a better Brooks saddle. The leather on the oid B-15 pictured is almost petrified. I rode my first century ride, sponsored by the LAW, on my original SC from Detroit-Flint-Detroit in Sept. 1971(a healthy baby boy named Lance Gunderson was born in Texas the same day!) Anyway, I hope to repeat that distance on this bike in 2021 for the 50th anniversary.

auchencrow

That's awesome, SC71!

You will find the most popular tan-wall tire around here is the Panaracer Pasela. These are very good riding/handling tires, but still they are not expensive. They are available in 27" also, and in a variety of widths. Personally I like the 1-1/8" version for all around use.

crazyskillz07

Picked up this Super Course MK II at salvation army for $ 50 USD. I can't wait to start riding it!