This is Hank's Raleigh Super Course. It is in from out east for restoration. Best part of the Raleigh Course is Hank is the original owner! I love the Raleigh Super Course. It is an underrated do everything bicycle. It has Reynolds 531 for the main tubes which is a nice and light ride for a steel frame!
The Raleigh Super Course is a great bike in its stock form but can also be treat as a blank canvas and be built up many ways. Hank's Raleigh Super Course will be going back to close to original with a complete restoration. New paint and decals will really bring the frame back nicely! The components will receive a total restoration along with new cables, cable housings, new tire tubes, new tires, new handlebar tape and all new bearings. The Raleigh will also receive new wheel spokes and a rebuild of the wheels.
The Super Course has some rough areas and some pretty good starting areas. One nice thing is Hank broke the Super Course almost completely down to ship so there are no stuck stems, or seat posts which is always a nice thing not to fight with. I like the Super Course a lot, I can't wait to see it restored and give it a test ride!
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Handlebars |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Brake Lever |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Stem |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Brake |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Hub |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Wheel Rim |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Stem |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Fork Crown |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Top Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Down Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Saddle |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Reynolds Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Seat Tube Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Crank |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Front Derailleur |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Brake |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Derailleur |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Bicycle Before Rear Wheel Hub |
With the Super Course easily broken down the frame is in good shape. There are some rough areas in the paint but that doesn't matter because it is going to be painted. The tubes are nice and straight and there is no crack or dents. A perfect start for new paint.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Down Tube Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug - Rough Area |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Reynolds Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Seat Tube Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Made In England Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Seat Lug |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Seat Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Chain Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Drop Outs |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork Crown |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blade |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork Blades |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork Drop Outs |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Before Fork |
The frame has been stripped and prepared but is waiting for paint. I have a very challenging frame going through paint right now and holding things up. I only have the facilities to paint one frame at a time and can't wait to get he Super Course in paint.
Today the paint on the Super Course is complete. I am thrilled with the results! Just thrilled!! The red is almost a perfect match it it is such a deep red! The clear has just the slightest bit of metallic that really gives the red more depth. Very very slight metallic, the sun will have to hit just right to see it. I love this stuff!!
I am kind of mad with the photos, they are not catching how deep the red is and I see my finger prints on the frame. All that will go away with a final polish and protectent when the bike is assembled and decals installed but I still see my finger prints.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Top Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Down Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Cable Guides & My Hand Print |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Seat Lug |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Bottom Bracket |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Seat Lug |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Seat Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Chain Stays |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Drop Outs |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Crown |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Crown |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Blade |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Drop Outs |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration - Frame Painted Fork Blades |
With the frame in the paint process I started work on the components. I found the components to be a little rougher then they look. I will be replacing a lot of hardware pieces on the components. Not an uncommon thing on Raleigh's from this era if they got some road salt on them.
First is the headset and bottom bracket through the crock pot for cleaning. They cleaned very nice. Some time on the polishing wheels and the headset and bottom bracket turned out great. I can't wait to install them on a painted frame. I am looking for a replacement bottom bracket lock ring. The original one polished nicely but a little bit of pitting that I would like to replace.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bottom Bracket & Headset Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bottom Bracket & Headset Polished |
I really really like these handlebars. They are shaped a lot like Nitto Noodle handlebars or a nice randonneur set of handlebars. The hoods area has a nice flat area. The handlebars polished very nice and will look even better when the handlebar tape is installed.
The stem handlebar bolt is very rough. I polished it but it did not come back very well. I found a replacement and it polished very nice. With the replacement bolt I polished the stem. The stem polished beautifully! I love this stuff.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Handlebars Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Handlebars Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rough Handlebar Bolt |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Handlebars Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Handlebar Bolts Polished - Replacement on left. |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem Complete |
Brake levers are next. The brake lever hoods are in okay shape, so far the hoods have not cleaned up much yet. I am going to try a few more tricks or maybe replacements. The brake elvers did polish beautifully though which I am very happy with.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Brake Levers Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Brake Levers Polished |
The crank is beautiful. The crank hardware, the nuts and bolts are very rough. The rust on the hardware is very thick. I cleaned all the pieces and then started the polishing. The crank arms polished beautifully. The hardware did not. For now I have not assembled the crank yet. I am looking into replacement hardware.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Rough Hardware |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Rough Hardware |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Arms Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Hardware Polished - Still Rough |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Hardware Polished |
I broke the derailleurs down and cleaned all the pieces. With the pieces cleaned I worked through the polishing wheels. The rear derailleur polished beautifully! The front derailleur polished pretty good, there is a little pitting here and there on the front derailleur but not bad. Assembled the derailleurs look great and the pivot points are very smooth.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Derailleurs Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Derailleur Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Derailleur Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Derailleur Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Derailleur Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Derailleur Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Derailleur Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Derailleur Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Post Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Binder Bolt Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Post Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Post Polished |
Last for now is the bar end shift levers. The famous Sun Tour bar end shift levers. I broke the levers down and started cleaning and polishing the pieces. The pieces polished very nice and assembled they look great.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Shift Levers Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Shift Levers Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Shift Levers Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Pressing Headset Cups |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset Cups Pressed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration New Bottom Bracket Bearings Packed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bottom Bracket Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Headset & Bottom Bracket Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Handlebars Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Stem & Handlebars Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Brake Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Brake Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Brakes Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Cable Guides Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Shift Levers Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Derailleur Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Derailleur Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Derailleur Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Post & Binder Bolt Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Main Body Parts Complete |
I have the front wheel broken down. The front wheel is really rough, the spokes are almost rusted through. It took me almost a wheel to get the axle pieces to break free. With the wheel hub broken down everything should polish like new. The rim will also polish like new. New spokes and spoke nipples will be laced in.
I have the wheel hub and wheel rim polished. I plan to lace the wheel while I watch my Packers Sunday night.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Rim Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Bad Spokes |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Broken Down |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Rim - Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Exploded |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Bad Skewer |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Old Grease |
The rear wheel is a replacement wheel. I think it is in pretty good starting shape so I will not replace the spokes on it.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Hub Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Rim Before |
I cleaned and polished the front wheel hub. The front wheel hub polished beautifully! The front wheel rim took a good deal of time to polish. The concave shape of the rim proved to be difficult to get the polishing wheels into. Eventually I got a very nice shine on the rim, I am thrilled with how the rim turned out.
With new bearings and grease the front wheel spin s great. I am looking for a new front wheel skewer that is like the original, the original is to far gone to use.
I laced the front wheel with new spokes and spoke nipples. The wheel just looks beautiful but I am updating this post away from home and can't find the photos of the completed front wheel. I will post the completed photos when I get home.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Axle Pieces Ready |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub & Rim Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Polished & Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Hub Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Rim Polished |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration New Spokes & Spoke Nipples |
The wheel Skewers where to far gone and unusable. The better of the two bad ones is photoed in the back of the replacements. It took a bit but I found replacements and they cleaned and polished beautifully. They look great installed.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Original to Far Gone Wheel Skewers |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Replacement Wheel Skewers |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Wheel Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Wheel Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Wheels Complete |
It took me a while to find crank bolts that fit the Raleigh crank to replace the original bolts. The original bolts here just to far gone to use. I couldn't figure out why so many crank bolts I tried did not fit the Raleigh crank, all where just a fraction to long. I found some mountain bike crank bolts that fit and it doesn't make sense to me the mountain bike bolts where shorter and fit. Either way the crank looks so much better with replacement bolts.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Hardware Unusable |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Hardware Unusable |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Replacement Nuts & Bolts |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Complete With Replacement Nuts & Bolts |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Crank Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration New Cables & Cable Housings |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Wiring Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Wiring Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Wiring Complete |
The freewheel looked and spun rough and the pie plate also looked rough. I flushed the freewheel and worked new lubricants into is. The freewheel spins great now. With careful work on the polishing wheels I got the pie plate to look so much better. With anew chain installed the freewheel works great. One of my favorite photos is always the completed rear wheel hub with a shiny freewheel and clean chain looking ready for hard use.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Freewheel Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Pie Plate Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Freewheel & Pie Plate After |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Freewheel - Pie Plate & New Chain Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Freewheel & New Chain Installed |
The decals took for ever to come. I have just resigned myself that the company that makes reproduction decals will just take way longer then expected. The decals are good quality which I like. The new decals transforms the look of the Super Course, so cool!
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration New Super Course Decals |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Top Tube Decal Applied |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Top Tube Decal Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Down Tube Decal Applied |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Fork Decal Applied |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Fork Decal Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Tube Decal Applied |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Seat Tube Decal Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Chain Stay Decal Applied |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Chain Stay Decal Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Saddle Treated & Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bike Wired - Decals Applied - Saddle Installed |
Gum wall Panaracer tires seem like the only choice for the Super Course. installed they look great and really start to finish the Raleigh off.
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration New Panaracer Tires |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Front Tire Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Tire Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Tires Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rack Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Before |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Smoothed Out |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Smoothed Out |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Smoothed Out |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Smoothed Out |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Paint Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Paint Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Paint Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Paint Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Installed |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Rear Rack Installed |
The Super Course seemed to fight me the day of the test ride but I think what it really was is the -3 degree high temp that day. Eventually I got the Super Course fine tuned and it rides great!! It rides very smooth and those Panaracer tires glide over everything but yet have great traction. The saddle started to really come around, some more riding an the body heat when its not -3 will really work the saddle out.
I couldn't take the cold anymore or the snow cover for good photos so I took them in the dining room. The bikes show so much better in good light outdoors but these will have to do. I love how the Super Course looks. The Rexford Red color is such a great match for Raleigh red. The decals and silver braided cable housings make everything come together. It doesn't stand out but if I didn't paint the rack it sure would have stood out on a bad way, I love the rack. I just love the Super Course and the classic look and great ride! I love this stuff!!
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Handlebars |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem & Handlebars |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Brake Caliper |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Hub |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Wheel Rim |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Stem |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Head Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Fork Decal |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Top Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Cable Guide |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Down Tube |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Saddle |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat Lug |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Seat Post |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Drive Train |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Front Derailleur |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Chain Stay |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Derailleur |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - REar Brake Caliper |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Rack |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete - Rear Wheel Hub |
Hank's Raleigh Super Course Restoration Bicycle Complete |
John Z.
Looking Great John. You are a master! Can't wait to see my SC complete and back on the road!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hank
Looking Great John.
ReplyDeleteRaleigh renovations