Raleigh Superbe - a set on Flickr

[Eric Norris]

I found this bike yesterday at a yard sale ... for $5. So far, I have another $40 invested to replace a few items, but this still ranks as one of my all-time great yard sale finds.

With a few exceptions--primarily the saddle and post, which had been changed out for a heinous modern setup--the bike was all original. It took an afternoon of elbow grease and a little adjusting to get it in the condition shown in the photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157627800936626/with/6204268602/

It needs another $10 or so in parts (new cotter pin and cable stop), but that's about all. The tires are in great condition ... the tubes even hold air. I plan to spend a little more time with some Simichrome to clean up a little more of the corrosion on a few of the small parts.

I plan to enjoy riding this to work and around town here in Davis.

--Eric

[islaysteve]

Nice, Eric.  Rather Rivish color, I think.  I love the fork crown and lock.  Hope you can get a key made.  Painted fenders are also very cool.  Enjoy your new bike!  Steve

[PATRICK MOORE]

I notice that it seems to have a front fork lock? Else, what is that
projection on the left side of the headtube?

It looks very like a Sport -- what makes the bike a Superbe? Is the
Superbe a dressed up Sport?

It's nice as a piece of history, but I've owned any number of
Sportses, and if this is anything like those, it's not something to
ride more than a couple of miles at sub 12 mph. At least, that is how
mine felt. My Worksman trike feels as easy to pedal.

Man, to build a bike like that with, say, aluminum tubing (for a price
point) or 531 (if not) and build it with good, aluminum parts and shod
it with good tires: now *that* would be a nice city runabout!

FWIW, the Sports is easier to ride than the old 28" wheel rod-braked roadsters.

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--
Patrick Moore
Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact
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[Steve Palincsar]

What a nice find (and what a fantastic price)! I'm not sure it's /all/
original, though: didn't those come with a Dynohub to power the
headlight? And that appears to be missing. Around town and to work,
that's exactly what this bike was made for. Lovely!

[Eric Norris]

Yes, it did have a dynohub originally. The wiring is still there.

And yes, I plan to ride it to work tomorrow. Should be fun.

--Eric N
Sent from my iPad2

[Frank Brose]

Nice find! There's not a garage bike I won't buy for $5 The nuts,bolts
and other dodads are always worth that. This is in a league of it's
own for a nickel though.

On Oct 2, 11:51 am, Eric Norris <campyonly...@me.com> wrote:
> I found this bike yesterday at a yard sale ... for $5. So far, I have another $40 invested to replace a few items, but this still ranks as one of my all-time great yard sale finds.
>
> With a few exceptions--primarily the saddle and post, which had been changed out for a heinous modern setup--the bike was all original. It took an afternoon of elbow grease and a little adjusting to get it in the condition shown in the photos.
>

> http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157627800936626/with...