GordoTrek

talked to the mechanic, said that he and another guy stared at it for over an hour trying to figure out what was causing the issue, they came to the conclusion that the head tube must be tweaked somewhere. also said the bottom cup is slightly out of round, but not by much, could be from the headtube being bent, also recommended to start with another cup first before doing anything drastic. also said that refacing the head tube would take a lot of material out and may not fix the issue. ill test a new cup this weekend

toavii

I took it around the block for about a mile when I got it home. Wouldn't care to do more on bikes that have been sitting this long. Especially with shot rubber and brake cables. It's has a nice feel, upgraded wheels may be part of it, but it's on the smaller side of my comfort level.

It'll probably be built up to look nice and be very rideable to serve duty as a spare bike for people. Much in the same way my '72 Super Sport does. I hope this thing can have the ride characteristics that bike has. Approachable and easy classic ride.

noglider 

I'm familiar with that concept. My wife and I call them guest bikes. Every household should have one or two.

jmeb

My SuperCourse sibling from Carlton got stripped to the frame last night, cleaned up and made a quick trip to the LBS this morning for a bit of rear-end spacing and alignment. Quick shot when she was in the stand.

The build will be a 3-speed wheelset, with fat gumwall tires (thinking Paselas in 35c). The two remaining questions are:

1) Fixed or free. Its an S3X wheelset so I can go either way.
2) Drops or North Roads. I like both. It came with a nice GB stem and bars. The stem will get used either way. My stable currently has one set of drops (road bike) and one set of portuers (single-speed commuter)

Either way, I think this build is also going to convince me to buy my first Carradice saddlebag for carrying supplies.

gugie 

That coffee color is pure vintage British. My Raleigh International is the same age, and a similar paint job. Mine's built with derailleurs, but a 3 speed hub would look appropriate. I commuted on this last summer, easy to stop by the store and load up dinner.



The medium Sackville bag is very similar to a Carradice, you can't go wrong with either.

GrayIS

Just picked this one up for $125. Clearer pics to follow when she's all cleaned up.

RabC

My 1976 Super Course MkII

a3inverter

Greetings all,

Just picked up a 1983 Super Course frameset that I hope is worthy of this thread (most of what I have seen here was British made and my research suggests that this is of Japanese/Tawainese manufacture). There is a bit of beausage here and there, decals are starting to flake off, the threading at the top of the fork could use a bit of dressing up, but overall I think it's in good shape. Suntour ARx Front Derailleur and levers were included so I'm on the hunt for a matching ARx rear.



Not sure where I'm going to take this build - Resto-mod with 700c conversion to run bigger tires, vintage aero levers - that sort of thing...or more pure vintage...or more of an upright setup with some Nitto Albatross/Bosco or Velo-Orange Tourist bars...

The frame geometry is almost a direct match of my 1985 Trek 460 which suggests I will like the ride.

One question - what is the seatpost diameter on these?

PilotFishBob 

Hello everyone. Two years of searching and finally found it - My '77 Super Course I recently stumbled on at an estate sale a friend dragged me to. After a tear-down, cleaning and reassembly it turned out to be in in very good shape. Guess I should start hitting estate sales...

Bikedued

And thrift stores, flea markets, pawn shops, etc...,,,,BD

garyus

I have a silly question. I had a bronze green super course 72 the kind with script lettering instead of the block lettering. I had it for about 8 years. It was a good bike but I just don't understand the reverence it's acquired over the years. Maybe I was to young to appreciate it. But also rode some other bikes during that time I thought rode better. Ones in the same general price range.

USAZorro

I can't speak for others, but after having a couple other lower-end 10-speeds, the Super Course I got when I was 18 was far and away the best bicycle I had ridden. Not that there weren't other very nice bikes available, just that I never rode them. So now, many years later, I recall the insane adventures I had with that bike and think of it quite fondly.

garyus

Maybe that's what it was. I got my Super Course when I was 14 . My first "ten speed" so I never experienced the department store models or lower end bikes. So I wasn't aware of the differences between them.

garyus

Now I wish I would've kept it along with my 81 Trek 613 that I donated to a local bike shop a few years ago. "Regrets I've had a few".

Bikedued

The Super Course 12 (1980?). I swapped wheels to get some skinwalls on it for the ride tomorrow morning. Still love this thing, butted 531 and copper colored paint. what's not to like, hehe. The shellac on the wrap has really worn well, despite sitting in a humid garage the last couple of years. My brooks saddle keep trying to mildew on me. I may just pull them all off and keep them indoors.,,,,BD

This bike is just begging for a honey Pro.

Lascauxcaveman 

Then be a gentleman and give her one

Bikedued

I may have to arrange that somehow.,,,,BD

alexander55

I realize this may be "dangerous" on this page, but I need a few ideas. (And...I do realize this is a "first world problem". Ha.) I've got two 1973 Carlton Raleigh Super Courses... Plan to keep them both.
The first is cosmetically sound and has all original components. I will just clean, lube, add new tires and tubes and ride. So...that one has a plan.

The second bike is missing some original parts and cosmetically "needs a little love". It is about it that I need some ideas. With this second bike I am thinking about a repaint (or GASP - a good powdercoat) and rebuild.

Should I rebuild it with period/era correct parts that are higher quality than it came with originally. (It came with the "plastic" Simplex stuff.)

OR

Rebuilt it with upright bars and maybe a 5 speed rear hub for just cruising around. (I have several drop bar vintage bikes...)

Thoughts? If I go with #1 option - what group would you suggest? Any other ideas?? Thanks!!

daf1009

I am, usually, a "keep it original" type guy...but...in the case of a Super Course, they are common enough to not keep original...although your first one is a good example.

For the second one...have some fun...not a huge fan of repaint (that can never be undone), but, for components? Again...have fun SC's look great as "ten speeds" or "city bikes" or...well...about anything...my next one will be a three speed rear hub with porteur type bars, etc...again...have fun...but...post pics!

noglider 

@alexander55, it didn't come with very good components. You might as well put good stuff on, as money allows.

nlerner

I agree that the Super Course is a great platform for all kinds of builds:

Clubman-type with IGH and drop bars:


Single-speed townie with upright bars:


IGH townie with upright bars:


Winter single speed with very low gearing, studded tires, and front rack:


5-speed Porteur with wooden fenders, chain guard, inverse levers, and front rack with wooden platform:

alexander55

Wow. Thanks for all the feedback. Loved all the pictures. I have a bit of a clubman style that I built on a Phillips frame. I like a few of the other options shown. As noted - I will have fun. And...I will replace the original "bits" on the one because the quality just isn't there.

Noglider - curious as to what period correct/period close group you might put on a 73 Super Course that would be better quality...but still wouldn't "break the bank". Any thoughts?

Thanks again for the replies.

PBC peugeot

I got this mid 1960's Carlton, (precursor of the Super Course) as a bare frame and fork
then built it up as I thought it should be, using what parts I had in my stash
Nervar crank, Weinmann concave rims, Suntour Cyclone derailleurs, Mafac brakes
Ideal leather seat, upright bars and fenders, just because

noglider 

Show off!

noglider 

The cheapest stuff is stuff you scrounge by waiting for great deals or finding a donor bike to reap the parts from. SunTour derailleurs were the best of the era and are still not expensive on the aftermarket. The brakes are decent, so you might as well leave them. Finding a crankset that fits will take time, but keep your eyes out. In the meantime, ride with the components that do work. If the rims are still round and true, keep riding them until they fail, which might never happen. They are reasonably light.