nlerner

I think you got that reversed. Most ‘73 models had a Capella lugs. The one shown has Nervex lugs, but it’s not a ‘74 because of the cursive Raleigh font on the downtube. I’m going with ‘72!

daka

I'll second the motion for '72 due to the combination of "early" decals and "Nottingham" headbadge with Simplex derailleurs. Surprised to see "chicken levers" on the brakes though, I would have expected the white Carlton hoods.

rossiny

Okay I'll post the picture if and an wwhen I get mine.. I had one years ago , just a frame and the guy that spray-painted it for me kind of botched it up , I built up, so I ended up just giving the frame away . Now I've been wanting to buy super course cuz I really like the ride on it even though it had a botched paint job ,, so I'm looking for a more original 1 . Three are available locally but nobody's responding to my offers. One is a super course, one is the mk 2, the other a grant sport , agreed to price but no response

jackbombay

Ahhh, yes, I did get mixed up, the Nervex lugs are 72!

noglider 

@JacobLee, that's outstanding.

I am so in love with my re-re-rebuilt Super Course that it's all I'm riding now, leaving my beloved McLean neglected. I inadvertently learned that having my bars higher and closer and having them turned back a bit make a huge difference to my comfort, so I'll be doing the same to my other bikes.

The bike gained weight in this iteration. I added a dynamo light system, brifters, and a heavier crankset. But these tires make it all worth it.

JacobLee 

Yeah, it seems like such a perfect bike to make a mongrel out of! I’m hoping not to re-re-build mine for some time, though! It’s a nice feeling to have one of these old steeds sorted-out.

Dylansbob 

JacobLee 

You’re not kidding! I’ve got a set in orange, and a set in brown.

Dylansbob 

My local co-op had a bunch of the rims for $5/pc. Coupled with Bens having 1.8/1.5/1.8 spokes in the right length for $0.60, meant that I couldn't *not* build up a set.

albrt 

Here is a Supercourse that spent a couple of decades in somebody's back yard in Phoenix, Arizona. The components cleaned up surprisingly well, but most of the original red paint job did not survive the desert sun. Ugly but rides like a thoroughbred.

Mogens

I’m in love with the colors of these. I feel like I need to choose one and then patiently bide my time until a 54cm pops up someplace.

schwinnbikebob

I got this one probably 5 years or so ago and it always seems to get bumped back on getting finished. (or started!) Seeing all you guys nice ones will hopefully bump it up.

As bought

daka

Wow, except for that license/sticker on the seat tube that bike looks completely unmolested - that could even be the original bar tape. A great candidate to clean up and enjoy. Capella lugs too!

jackbombay

I'm just about positive that is the original bar tape!

Cycle Tourist

I bought two for $50. This one was poorly spray painted brown over the line green. Not a fan of the green so after taking it down to metal, I went with red.

OldsCOOL

I will be getting a Super Course this Saturday if all goes well. Is there a method to dating a frame by the serial number on the dropout? It’s a 70’s bike with the Brooks saddle and cottered crankset. I’ll post pics soon enough.

rossiny

ok, I'm jealous now seems like the sellers I've been trying to buy from ,keep flaking out .. one guy offered 250 and I guess he wanted to 275 and it just hasn't responded??
I wanted with cappella lugs , possibly I have a lead on an mk2 ,, no cappella lugs .
Any preferences ? Suggestions

rossiny

ok, I'm jealous now seems like the sellers I've been trying to buy from ,keep flaking out .. one guy I offered 250 and I guess he wanted to 275 and just hasn't responded??
I wanted with cappella lugs , possibly I have a lead on an mk2 ,, no cappella lugs .
Any preferences ? Suggestions

noglider 

The 1971 and 1972 Super Course had the Raleigh name on the down tube in a thin script. 1971 came with Huret derailleurs and 1972 with Simplex. The 1973 and 1974 Super Course had the logo in big block italic letters.

nlerner

Here’s a Flickr album of Super Course catalog pages: https://www.flickr.com/gp/8858391@N04/80v5Qj

daka

If you want Capella lugs, your only choice is a 1973. From a distance (or a small ad photo) you can recognize a '73 because it will be in the "old" coffee or bronze green color but will have the bolder white graphics on the downtube and will say "Raleigh" on the chainstays. There were also some red Super Course TTs built in 1973, the only difference is that they were originally sold with sew-ups - but these are pretty rare. While the Capella lugs add interest, the fabrication quality of the frames was likely more variable in 1973 than any other year, so have a good look at the brazing before laying down your cash.

Most Mk IIs were built with Prugnat lugs, occasionally with Bocamas. Those lugs are not ugly but they are not as elegant as either the Nervex or Capellas. Super Course Mk IIs are easy to recognize due to the white panels on both the red & emerald green frames.

After the Mk II, the paintwork became solid again and would be red or gold. Some are labelled Super Course 12 when they began shipping with 6 spd freewheels.

Good luck in your search!

OldsCOOL

This is my first but I hope you do well this year in finding a bargain!

OldsCOOL

Here is a pic with lugs showing. Any ideas? (You guys are great. Love this place)

BFisher

One for sale here. Posting is 28 days old, though.
https://cnj.craigslist.org/bik/d/rin...236636406.html

nlerner

Nervex lugs, cursive downtube font = ‘71 or ‘72 (and shifters are replacements).