Raleigh Super Course 1973 "modified"
01-29-19, 03:43 PM
#1
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Raleigh Super Course 1973 "modified"
Hello,
I recently bought a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. It is all original except for the RD, FD and shift levers. The Simplex Prestige was replaced by Suntour Honor RD (1983), Suntour Vx (FD 1980) and Suntour ??? shift levers (white plastic tips). Everything works fine but I was wondering if it would be of any value to search for Simplex Prestige stuff close to 1973. I did not read many good things about Simplex Prestige.
Thanks for your advices.
I recently bought a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. It is all original except for the RD, FD and shift levers. The Simplex Prestige was replaced by Suntour Honor RD (1983), Suntour Vx (FD 1980) and Suntour ??? shift levers (white plastic tips). Everything works fine but I was wondering if it would be of any value to search for Simplex Prestige stuff close to 1973. I did not read many good things about Simplex Prestige.
Thanks for your advices.
01-29-19, 04:40 PM
#2
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IMO, that would be a downgrade. In 1975 I did exactly the opposite when I bought my Super Course new, swapping out the Simplex derailleurs for Suntour.
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01-29-19, 05:41 PM
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"Value" would seem to be the key word here.
It's your bike, but maybe you are planning to sell it?
I like the quick shifting response of Simplex derailers myself, but the front ones are very problematic, seems that one of mine breaks every year, even though I don't tighten them onto the seat tube with any real torque.
Maybe the most practical thing would be to look for a matching VX rear derailer(?).
It's your bike, but maybe you are planning to sell it?
I like the quick shifting response of Simplex derailers myself, but the front ones are very problematic, seems that one of mine breaks every year, even though I don't tighten them onto the seat tube with any real torque.
Maybe the most practical thing would be to look for a matching VX rear derailer(?).
01-29-19, 07:08 PM
#4
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Super Courses are great bones of a bike, I have 4 and none are stock. the first one came as a rusty green junker throw-out from a local Co-op and it is now black and a single speed, the next 2 were a pair of gold frames, a 77 and 78, one is now red and black and the other is awaiting a rebuild.
Originality with these mid level bikes is not the top of my list, they are not worth alot.
IMG_20180608_161515266_HDR by Bwilli88, on Flickr
Originality with these mid level bikes is not the top of my list, they are not worth alot.
IMG_20180608_161515266_HDR by Bwilli88, on Flickr
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
01-29-19, 08:45 PM
#5
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Heres my '73 Super Course with Sugino AT triple crank, Suntour VGT Luxe RD, Suntour Cyclone II FD, Suntour bar end shifters, Shimano Megarange 6 sp freewheel. I also have a Peugeot with Simplex RD, actually its second Simplex RD, trying to stay close to original. On the Peugeot, I gave up on the broken Simplex FD, and went with a Shimano Exage. The Suntour is a much better set-up, on the Raleigh, I wouldn't ever go back to Simplex. My Raleigh was built from a found bare frame, sort of a blank canvas. Researching the smart guys here on BF led me in the Suntour drivetrain direction. Good choice.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 01-29-19 at 08:50 PM.
01-29-19, 10:43 PM
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I've kept my original derailers, crank and most parts, but honestly I didn't care for the five-speed freewheel, the original handlebar, or the steel seatpost.
Then there was the opportunity to go with clipless pedals and a lighter, softer saddle, so mine really isn't close to stock anymore. But it's close enough for me!
I'd looked for a clean example in my size for many years, finally found one and it's a bike I enjoy riding.
Then there was the opportunity to go with clipless pedals and a lighter, softer saddle, so mine really isn't close to stock anymore. But it's close enough for me!
I'd looked for a clean example in my size for many years, finally found one and it's a bike I enjoy riding.
01-30-19, 11:21 PM
#7
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Thanks for your ideas and pictures. My Super Course is an ongoing project and I will post pictures as soon as I pass the 10-post-newbie restriction.
02-01-19, 11:54 AM
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I was wondering if it would be of any value to search for Simplex Prestige stuff close to 1973
Make no mistake about it, if you run a Simplex front from the early seventies, expect to see something like...
or this...
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02-01-19, 12:13 PM
#10
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Excellent photo depictions randyjawa!
02-07-19, 03:57 PM
#11
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02-07-19, 03:59 PM
#12
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Very convincing Randyjawa!
Last edited by fraba; 02-07-19 at 04:01 PM. Reason: Refer to the person
02-07-19, 04:10 PM
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Looks like a rider to me!
Consider better quality tires at some point, they'll make a difference in the ride.
Consider better quality tires at some point, they'll make a difference in the ride.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
02-07-19, 04:17 PM
#14
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02-07-19, 05:20 PM
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My 1971 American Eagle Semi-Pro (Nishiki Competition) came with those white-capped downtube levers, which I saved when the frame broke 20 years later. A prior owner had scraped off the Simplex shifter bosses on the Peugeot PKN-10 and installed a Campag. band-mounted set of shift levers, which I replaced with the SunTours, which worked superbly well with the Cyclone II rear derailleur I installed. I have always been a big fan of SunTour derailleurs and shift levers, but I would suggest upgrading from that boat anchor Honor to a Cyclone, or at least a VGT.
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Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
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02-08-19, 11:14 AM
#16
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That bike is a very god specimen, looks like about 1973 to me with the Carlton/Capella lugset.
The derailers look ok on this bike. Tires appear to be original Michelin Hi-Speed gumwalls. UltraSport II tires and modern tubes would really improve the ride and performance imo, especially if there are thorn-resistant tubes in there now.
The bottom bracket can be lubed by dripping oil in along the spindle and allowing it to settle in. Takes a while in cold weather though!
The Normandy hubs must have some bit of freeplay adjusted into the axles, else the bearings bind and self-destruct when the quick-release levers are tightened. They were commonly set up rather tight at the factory so the bearing condition is fingers crossed at this point.
The derailers look ok on this bike. Tires appear to be original Michelin Hi-Speed gumwalls. UltraSport II tires and modern tubes would really improve the ride and performance imo, especially if there are thorn-resistant tubes in there now.
The bottom bracket can be lubed by dripping oil in along the spindle and allowing it to settle in. Takes a while in cold weather though!
The Normandy hubs must have some bit of freeplay adjusted into the axles, else the bearings bind and self-destruct when the quick-release levers are tightened. They were commonly set up rather tight at the factory so the bearing condition is fingers crossed at this point.
02-08-19, 11:49 AM
#17
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That bike is a very god specimen, looks like about 1973 to me with the Carlton/Capella lugset.
The derailers look ok on this bike. Tires appear to be original Michelin Hi-Speed gumwalls. UltraSport II tires and modern tubes would really improve the ride and performance imo, especially if there are thorn-resistant tubes in there now.
The bottom bracket can be lubed by dripping oil in along the spindle and allowing it to settle in. Takes a while in cold weather though!
The Normandy hubs must have some bit of freeplay adjusted into the axles, else the bearings bind and self-destruct when the quick-release levers are tightened. They were commonly set up rather tight at the factory so the bearing condition is fingers crossed at this point.
The derailers look ok on this bike. Tires appear to be original Michelin Hi-Speed gumwalls. UltraSport II tires and modern tubes would really improve the ride and performance imo, especially if there are thorn-resistant tubes in there now.
The bottom bracket can be lubed by dripping oil in along the spindle and allowing it to settle in. Takes a while in cold weather though!
The Normandy hubs must have some bit of freeplay adjusted into the axles, else the bearings bind and self-destruct when the quick-release levers are tightened. They were commonly set up rather tight at the factory so the bearing condition is fingers crossed at this point.
02-08-19, 12:01 PM
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Hello,
I recently bought a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. It is all original except for the RD, FD and shift levers. The Simplex Prestige was replaced by Suntour Honor RD (1983), Suntour Vx (FD 1980) and Suntour ??? shift levers (white plastic tips). Everything works fine but I was wondering if it would be of any value to search for Simplex Prestige stuff close to 1973. I did not read many good things about Simplex Prestige.
Thanks for your advices.
I recently bought a 1973 Raleigh Super Course. It is all original except for the RD, FD and shift levers. The Simplex Prestige was replaced by Suntour Honor RD (1983), Suntour Vx (FD 1980) and Suntour ??? shift levers (white plastic tips). Everything works fine but I was wondering if it would be of any value to search for Simplex Prestige stuff close to 1973. I did not read many good things about Simplex Prestige.
Thanks for your advices.
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