I picked up a Raleigh Super Course the other day, probably the best trash day find so far. But in looking up some info on it I'm left with some questions about this and another raleigh I've had for some time
The Super Course is Sn D008975, which I think is 1969? The Retro Raleighs site says it should be 4 digits, but I'm wondering if the extra zeros are always there? I'm also puzzled about some of the parts, The cranks are both Stronglight stel cottered, with an oval mark on the drive side and just "made by Stronglight" in two lines on the non-drive side. The gear system is a little confusing too, Simplex plastic levers, and Suntour Spirt Front And Honor Rear. The honor rear looks like a replacement, and I think it's too new anyway. The questions I have here are 1) which crank is original? or is this kind of mismatch common? 2) what shifting system was the original? (retro Raleighs only goes back to 1971)
The second one I've had for a long time, since about 1980 or so. It was old then, a $3 yard sale find (all apart, and brought home on a bike since I didn't drive then) It's had a home done paint job, so there are no decals etc. The sn is V1538. I cant figure out what year this is, but I'm assuming it isn't made of any particularly good tubing. But the lugs are somewhat fancy, similar to the Nervex Super Legere shown on the C.R. site. The parts seem pretty low end as well, williams crank, weineman brakes and Allvit derailers. So, 1)Any idea what model/ year this would be? 2)Did Raleigh usually use fancy lugs on cheaper bikes? 3)A bigger general question, is there a way to tell if a frame is 531 if the stickers are gone?
Steve Birmingham
Lowell, Ma