St.eve

I am looking for a shop that would be interested in servicing a 1971 Raleigh Super
Course. I live in the Palm Springs, California area. Thanks, Steve

repechage

You might have a drive.
to many current shops this is equal to an alien spaceship landing. Depending on what was changed or not, cottered cranks, maybe even Simplex plastic bodied derailleurs.

I would go to The Bicycle Stand in Long Beach.
might ask for Evan.

might try The Cyclesmiths in Ranchita Ca - San Diego county- as the crow flies probably closer but have not referenced travel time. Jim Allen is the proprietor.

these are rebuildable but take longer than a top tier bike of the era. Bottom line, if for yourself and has deep sentimental value, GO, if the goal is resale and recoup the investment. NO!

St.eve

Thanks for the reply. I want to keep the bike. I am the only owner, and it has been inside and unridden since the 80's. It is all original except the rear rim, chain, gear cluster, tubes and tires. I don't work on bikes so I want to find someone with an interest in vintage Raleigh bikes. Probably could use new cables. I will check out the places you mentioned. Thanks again, Steve

gugie 

"I don't work on bikes" - why not? Most of the regulars on this thread service their own bike. For more major work, many have developed a network of friends who have specialized tools and/or skills. I recommend learning how to do basic maintenance. It ain't rocket science.

Here in Portland, Oregon we have lots of bike shops that could work on your bike. Note, however that a "standard tune-up" is over $100 + parts. You can get a basic tool kit for $40 on Amazon that is enough to nearly strip the bike down to individual components and reassemble it. Cable kits can be had for cheap. You can find all sorts of videos on working on older bikes - which are much simpler than new ones! I was 15 when I bought Super Course and did all the work myself, even then. Back then we had these things called "books" which you could find in the local library.

If that's more than you want to take on, and just want to ride the bike, a quick check shows you have over a dozen bike shops in Palm Springs. I'm sure most of them would be happy to service your bike, just call around.

Bicycle co-ops often have repair classes, and will provide all the tools and hints you'd need, as well as having the spare parts you might need. I didn't see any bicycle co-ops in Palm Springs, but you could extend your search in the Inland Empire. Since you posted here, I'm sure someone not too far from you can help out with other suggestions.

merziac

Paging @Robvolz

RiddleOfSteel

+1 on the encouragement to get some tools to work on it, take a look at Sheldon Brown's website (among others, but it's where I started), and get a feel for things. As for shop suggestions, call around, or visit the shops in person. To me, the facts of the bike bought new in 1971, and you living in the Palm Springs area, says 'retired' or nearly so (or rather, not a working stiff like others of us here--certainly me), so my educated guess is that you may have some time available to go to some of these shops in person and talk to the mechanics or managers that will either at least take a look at your bike or, if asked if there's a shop that takes more of a shining to older rides, point you in the direction of another shop.

Your bike may just need some cables and the chain lubed, maybe brake pads replaced. Or it may need more. I'd like to think that a dry climate like Palm Springs, will not have subjected a bike to temperature+moisture swings like they would up here in the Pacific Northwest. I think errant golf balls are more of an existential threat to a bicycle in your area.

rccardr 

I would start at Palm Springs Cyclery in the Sun Center on South Palm Canyon Drive. We stay in PS for a couple weeks each February and the few times I’ve needed a part or something they have been very helpful. From looking around over the years, it comes closest to an old timey shop. Look for and approach the oldest guy in the store.

While you’re there check out Peninsula Pastry, same shopping center. Amazing French baked goods.

SurferRosa

But what if you can't turn a nut on a threaded bolt?

Or far worse, you don't have the time to turn a nut on a threaded bolt?

gugie 

When trouble strikes, at any time, at any place...

John E

Thank you. For a number of years, my nickname at home has been "bicycle repairman." I would return from work to hear my wife tell me about a car, appliance, or piece of plumbing or electrical on the blink and preface her remarks with "We have a job for Bicycle Repairman."

I got started with construction toys (Erector set, Legos, etc.), then wrenching on bicycles in high school, then appliances and automotive repairs, and finally plumbing ,electrical, carpentry, drywall, etc. when we bought our first house, which was a 50-year-old fixer in almost tear-down condition. (One does what one must to gain a toehold in the Los Angeles housing market.) I raised my boys to work on bikes, cars, et al. with me, and both are pretty adept with tools today.

kunsunoke 

In addition to new cables, it will need new grease, new bar tape, possibly new bearings as well. Once you get your minimum of posts in, you should be able to post some pictures so that we can see what you have and what we think it needs.

All of the maintenance can be done in your own garage or basement, assuming you have the proper tools. You're better off doing it yourself, IMO. We can help.

xiaoman1 

OP,
If you have the time and the inclination, I would recommend doing the work yourself. The cost to have someone else do the work will offset some of the cost of the tools necessary outsource the job at hand AND you might find it very enjoyable. There are a lot of members here that can/will offer you advice as well as many videos on youtube to help guide you on you quest. I find the videos helpful much more than reading a manual because you can replay a scene over and over to actually see how things are done.
If you don't want to do the work, I would call around to see who can do the work for you....visit the shop with your bike to get a feel if the shop wants/can actually do the work. The shop mentioned in Long Beach can be very
expensive.....Try Helens Cycle in Santa Monica and ask for Gilbert.
Thanks for joining us!
Good Luck, Best, Ben

Robvolz 

man o man. I’m home now. And I had my bag of park tools w me.

from Palm Springs I drove to Velo in Pasadena. They sell new and vintage and there is no part they won’t have as needed.

congrats on the find. I suspected there should be a fine selection of classic bikes there due to the aging populous. But all I saw were balloon tired cruisers.

good luck.

Murray Missile 

You made it! (Glenn from your FB post). Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Schweinhund

my sister goes to Gypsy Cycles in Yucca Valley, but she lives in Yucca too.
7475 Warren Vista Avenue, Yucca Valley, CA
I've never personally been there.