Doghouse’s 1977 Raleigh Super Course

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Hey,

Purchased new in the fall of ’77, and only recently returned from basement exile after a few years of knee problems. We still get looks for traveling fast, and it gets a few just for looking fast. These pics were taken at the border wall of the lightly-used retail overflow parking lot, 0.8 mi in circumference, where we’re up to 15-20 miles nearly every day, with no traffic worries.

It’s been cared-for but not coddled. Was a regular twenty-mile commuter in the early days, plus pleasant ambles through what used to be farmland and now are contiguous strip malls. I have no idea how many miles are on it, but it’s all original, meaning Sun Tour Cyclone and Compe V, Raleigh alloy crankset, Weinmann 700 C alloy rims, Atom hubs and pedals, and, of course, the Weinmann 610 centerpull gradual velocity reducers. White Carlton hoods mellowed with age, and cable housings I can’t replace because I’ll never match their patina. The only thing that’s non-standard is the down-tube shifters, which I insisted the shop install instead of the bar-end shifters I couldn’t stand. They’re in a box somewhere, along with all the reflectors and chainring guard, but I figure removing a pie plate is just asking for it.

And the Brooks B17 narrow, which has been babied over the years, and which I’m pretty proud of. And I’ve always hated the color. Threatened to paint it many a time, and only held back out of concern for screwing with the Ozone out of personal whim, and because I’m cheap. Mostly the latter. The earlier 70s Raleighs were more attractive, I thought, and I’d’a rather had the gold which was the other color option, but the LBS convinced me it’d be months before they could get one. I’m not a whole lot smarter even today. But the 77s and 78s were better equipped and have a much cooler geometry.

The one concession to old age (mine, not its) was the recent choice of Panaracer Paselas for the slight increase in width, but I think we’ll be back to skinny speedsters by next season. Regards to all. Love the site.

Doghouse Riley Indianapolis, IN

Thanks Doghouse

Related posts:

  1. Paul H’s 1974 Windsor Carrera Sport
  2. Virgil F’s 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix
  3. Neil H’s 1983 Schwinn Traveler
  4. Joan’s 1975 Peugeot Mixte UO-18 via Darrell Y.
  5. Jeff V’s Raleigh Grand Prix
  • Mike

    Still looks great, nothing like rediscovering that old ride. I dug my 83 schwinn out a couple years ago and look forward to jumping on it everyday. Nice to keep it original also

  • Mark D

    Great post. Despite your misgivings, you’ve done well, though I’m not sure how you stay on that seat. 🙂

    It’s nice to see submissions from original owners. I still have the first new bike my parents ever bought me, a 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer, which I recently restored, but being a single-speed it’s not suited for OTSG. Alas.

    “Vee grow too soon olde, und too late schmart.”

  • rickshaw

    Of course everyone knows that, “red bikes go faster” and class never goes out of style. Feelin’ the love.

  • Doghouse Riley

    I know you’ve heard this before, but that seat’s still as comfortable as can be. Although “narrow” is probably no long my ideal choice.