My uncle was looking to get rid of an old Raleigh that he had in his garage. I told him to bring it into work so I could have a look at it. It's an early 70's era Super Course. I stripped off all the old stuff and had my down the street LBS put in a new BB and mount a set of mismatched crank arms they had in the shop. Put a set of wheels (700's vs the 27's that came off) i had in the basement on it. Used an old stem I had with some old bars that I flipped and cut and ordered a set of levers from ebay. I had to use the original brakes because I needed the reach (they work, but not well.) I did also order a spacer kit for the rear wheel for simplicity. All in all it came out well with minimal investment. I ride it to work a couple of days a week.

Dave

Pics
<img src=http://homepage.mac.com/dbcurtis/.Pictures/Raleigh1.jpg> <img src=http://homepage.mac.com/dbcurtis/.Pictures/Raleigh3.jpg>
<img src=http://homepage.mac.com/dbcurtis/.Pictures/Raleigh2.jpg> <img src=http://homepage.mac.com/dbcurtis/.Pictures/Raleigh4.jpg>

Sweet job.
I think I have a line on a cheap 70s beater bike this weekend, and hoping to do something similar. It'll be my change of pace from my geared bike for commuting, and eventually will get left at my folks place at the beach (read: flat) so I don't have to lug my bikes to and fro when I go visit.

How did you cut the bars? Hacksaw or pipe cutter?

Where did you order the spacer kit from?

How did you cut the bars? Hacksaw or pipe cutter?

Where did you order the spacer kit from?

I used a hacksaw to cut the bars and then filed the rough edges smooth.

I got the spacer kit here: http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13456-220_GUS1C4-3-Parts-664-Single-Speed-Parts/Gusset-1-ER-Single-Speed-Conversion-Kit.htm

The chainline with the above kit worked out great for me, but there isn't any adjustability to it so it may not work for everyone.

Dave

I had to use the original brakes because I needed the reach (they work, but not well.)

Those centerpulls will work great if you put on some Koolstop salmon pads. You can get them from Harris Cyclery.

Those centerpulls will work great if you put on some Koolstop salmon pads. You can get them from Harris Cyclery.

I put some old DuraAce 7400 pads on mine and they work very well. Koolstops would probably be even better.

If you can do without the back brake, you can move it to the front. The Weinmann/DiaCompe's they used on those old Raleighs had a longer reach for the back brake. The longer bolt from the front will hold the caliper. I've got 700c's on my Supercourse and room to spare for reach on the front brake. Check out the picture on "First ride on the Fixed Raleigh.":thumbsup: