Steve -
The best information I've been able to come with is that the Raleigh Superbes like mine (seen in the pix you referenced) were built only in 1980 and '81. From what I've been able to determine, the first year frames were built with Reynolds 531 tubes and then later made with Champion tubes. I have seen both versions, but can't really be sure if it was an even year switch. As far as I know, other than the difference in frame material the two year models were identical. Both built with complete SunTour Superbe groups and both built in Japan. I think I've seen maybe two others besides mine, so they are fairly uncommon.
Wayne -- Wayne Bingham Velo Classique PO Box 2069 Purcellville, VA 20134 USA 540-338-8376 http://www.veloclassique.com
From: steve rossano <s-rossano@rocketmail.com> Date: Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM Subject: [CR] Late 70's or early 80's Raleigh Superbe Indentification Help To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Hi, I have recently purchased a Raleigh Superbe, but it doesn't seem to match the online info I have found so far. I believe it to be a Japanese built (Bridgestone), which is almost identical to the one posted here:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
The difference that I have been able to spot are different pedals, (mine has a modern looking version), a matching Superbe sticker on the top tube, and the big difference, Mine has the "GUARANTEED BUILT WITH SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT Reynolds 531 BUTTED FRAME TUBES FORK BLADES & STAYS" decal.
Which is more likely, that this was an English built version, perhaps prototype, or that they shipped the tubing set to Japan to have it built there?
The Serial number is NOP 9098. I have not found anything on Japanese built serial numbers, so any help here would be very appreciated.
If it were English built, my best speculation would go something like this. Nottingham Built Oct/Nov 1979 98th frame built that time period
If anyone has any light to shed, I would love to hear it.
Thanks,
Steve Rossano