Kinda rough Raleigh Super Course on CL. Whatcha think?
01-24-17, 02:16 PM
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Kinda rough Raleigh Super Course on CL. Whatcha think?
First of all, thanks in advance for any info shared. I am relative new to this forum and my pursuit of vintage steel rides. I have been returning here and reading up on vintage steel bikes popping up in my area. Lots of great info and many beautiful bikes shared on this forum.
This Raleigh Super Course popped up on my local CL today. Just one pic. Looks kinda rough. I've texted with the seller. It seems he sells bikes frequently - most to college students. I don't think he is too knowledgeable about vintage bikes though. He told me this is a barn find. He seems anxious to unload it. Asking $145. I have seen that are lots of fans of these old SCs. Whatcha think about this one?
This is the only image.
Thanks!
This Raleigh Super Course popped up on my local CL today. Just one pic. Looks kinda rough. I've texted with the seller. It seems he sells bikes frequently - most to college students. I don't think he is too knowledgeable about vintage bikes though. He told me this is a barn find. He seems anxious to unload it. Asking $145. I have seen that are lots of fans of these old SCs. Whatcha think about this one?
This is the only image.
Thanks!
01-24-17, 02:26 PM
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Super Course was one of the best Raleighs in the 1970's. The bike's worth 5 or 6 hundred bucks.
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01-24-17, 02:39 PM
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That geometry looks wrong - like maybe it's been crashed head-on.
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01-24-17, 03:03 PM
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Agree with the above which I would think will necessitate looking at it in person.
If it in fact it does has crash damage, you will need to decide if you are OK with that.
If it has crash damage and you point it out, you might get it for half the asking price.
If it in fact it does has crash damage, you will need to decide if you are OK with that.
If it has crash damage and you point it out, you might get it for half the asking price.
01-24-17, 03:08 PM
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I'll let someone else answer that question. All I'm saying is that it's not one of the best and it's not worth "5 or 6 hundred bucks".
01-24-17, 03:09 PM
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My first thought as well. No evidence for this however. It was a common geometry at this time to have the head noticeably steeper than the seat. The impression seems stronger here due to the large size frame, and perhaps perspective.
Grand Bois wrote:
"I don't think so. Plain gauge tubes and low end components."
More likely ~1/4 of stated sum.
Pedals, front mech and shift levers appear to have been replaced. All three are slight upgrades. Balance looks original.
It really needs to be seen in person for a careful evaluation.
-----
Grand Bois wrote:
"I don't think so. Plain gauge tubes and low end components."
More likely ~1/4 of stated sum.
Pedals, front mech and shift levers appear to have been replaced. All three are slight upgrades. Balance looks original.
It really needs to be seen in person for a careful evaluation.
-----
Last edited by juvela; 01-24-17 at 03:10 PM. Reason: addition
01-24-17, 03:09 PM
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Thank you. I am not sure of exactly what to look for as signs of previous crash, other than really obvious stuff like scuffs, weird bends, and creases to the metal. Any tips? I am actually going to meet the guy in a little bit.
01-24-17, 03:40 PM
#10
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Look for rust and make sure the wheels are true and everything works (derailleurs, brakes, shifters).
I wouldn't pay more than $120 judging by the spoke protector on the back wheel and the cottered cranks. .
I wouldn't pay more than $120 judging by the spoke protector on the back wheel and the cottered cranks. .
01-24-17, 03:43 PM
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1989pre must be the seller.
(Kidding!)
Paint looks very rough, but if the frame is not bent, I'd say $100 would be reasonable. Sure, they're "classic" bikes, but not high end, and very easy to find. If everything checks out Ok and you really fall in love with it, $145 isn't crazy. I liked mine well enough to make it into my one and only fixie; and ride it regularly.
The unasked question: @AfterThunk, are you around 6' tall? If so, it's probably a decent size for you.
(Kidding!)
Paint looks very rough, but if the frame is not bent, I'd say $100 would be reasonable. Sure, they're "classic" bikes, but not high end, and very easy to find. If everything checks out Ok and you really fall in love with it, $145 isn't crazy. I liked mine well enough to make it into my one and only fixie; and ride it regularly.
The unasked question: @AfterThunk, are you around 6' tall? If so, it's probably a decent size for you.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 01-24-17 at 03:56 PM.
01-24-17, 03:51 PM
#12
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If it's the kind of bike you're looking for, the frame is straight and it's your size, go get it. If you really like it a couple of tenners more or less are not going to matter in the end.
01-24-17, 04:00 PM
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It depends on what you're after. The Super Course is a great platform for building a nice bike but it came with low end components. If you have a few components on hand or if you're willing to buy some, you can make a really nice bike out of it. You'd also need to be willing to do the work, otherwise, you'll be spending a lot.
It might be bent, and it might not be. I think it's just photographed poorly, making it look bent. If it's bent, don't buy it, at any price.
I have a ~1971 that I've rebuilt a few times as experiments, and I've liked how it came out every time, except when I had "flipped" North Road bars on it. Mine looks like hell but rides great. This is how it looks now.
It might be bent, and it might not be. I think it's just photographed poorly, making it look bent. If it's bent, don't buy it, at any price.
I have a ~1971 that I've rebuilt a few times as experiments, and I've liked how it came out every time, except when I had "flipped" North Road bars on it. Mine looks like hell but rides great. This is how it looks now.
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-24-17, 04:49 PM
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Well I got the bike. Fork seemed fine. Definitely a little rougher then expected. Talked the guy down to $60. Looks like it was a real pretty bike in it's prime. I'll post pics soon. Thanks again.
01-24-17, 04:54 PM
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01-24-17, 04:56 PM
#16
~>~
Time for some reading:
Threading/interchangeability Issues for Older Raleigh Bicycles
Retro Raleighs: The Super Course
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html
-Bandera
Threading/interchangeability Issues for Older Raleigh Bicycles
Retro Raleighs: The Super Course
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html
-Bandera
01-24-17, 04:59 PM
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Nice for $60. Take your time with it if it's your first tear-down rebuild. Brass wool with simple light oil does wonders to erase years of neglect on parts that used to be shiny.
01-24-17, 05:00 PM
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unless the photograph somehow got skewed, that bike is SERIOUSLY out of alignment!
01-24-17, 05:31 PM
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01-24-17, 06:02 PM
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I think $60 is a pretty good deal, assuming that the frame is basically sound. 531 straight gauge three tubes, alloy rims. But, there's a claw, cottered crank, probably 26 tpi headset, Normandy Sport hubs, Weinmann center-pulls (not very sexy, but with new pads, they will stop you). Hopefully the BB is threaded to 24 tpi. I disassembled a 71 Grand Prix, supposedly Carlton made, recently and it had a Brompton 24 tpi BB with a steel Stronglight three arm cottered crank. Maybe yours is similar. Looks like Tom's must be 24 tpi BB as well.
edit: I think it's a VERY good deal.
edit: I think it's a VERY good deal.
01-24-17, 07:01 PM
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I ride a 72 Super Course as my daily commuter. Nowhere near original as it has dyno front, 5 speed IGH rear (drum brakes both ends) and upright all-rounder bars. Great ride, classic look, durable - what more could you ask for. Mine has the standard 24 tpi british BB threading, but the fork is 26 tpi. Still using the original headset, which shows little wear. 60 bucks is a great deal.
01-24-17, 07:27 PM
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I turned my latest Super Course (a '73 with Capella lugs) into a clubman-like bike with 700c wheels and an AW rear hub:
1973_SC_Clubman3
1973_SC_Clubman3
01-24-17, 10:24 PM
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I turned my latest Super Course (a '73 with Capella lugs) into a clubman-like bike with 700c wheels and an AW rear hub:
1973_SC_Clubman3
1973_SC_Clubman3