Overview
This is an unserviced, all-original "warehouse find" 1981 Raleigh Superbe road bicycle. This specimen represents a fascinating era of Raleigh's high-end production: it features a precision-built frame manufactured in Japan paired with final factory assembly and quality control at the legendary Raleigh facility in Nottingham, England.
The bike is in untouched, "as-found" condition and retains its original dealer foil decal from Kozy’s Lakeshore Cyclery (Chicago, IL) on the seat tube. It features the factory Metallic Gold finish, a complete, period-correct 1st-generation SunTour Superbe groupset, and an original Brooks leather saddle.
Specifications
Frame / Fork: Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing (main tubes, fork blades, and stays). Lugged steel construction. Frame manufactured in Japan; final bicycle assembly completed in Nottingham, England. Forged dropouts with integrated adjuster screws. Internal rear brake cable routing through the top tube.
Size: 22.5 inches (center-to-top), approx. 57 cm.
Component Group: Full SunTour Superbe (1st Generation).
Crankset: SunTour Superbe alloy, 170mm arms, 42/52T chainrings (Sugino OEM).
Derailleurs: SunTour Superbe front (clamp-on) and rear derailleurs.
Shifters: SunTour Superbe downtube friction levers.
Brakeset: SunTour Superbe side-pull calipers with drilled/slotted Superbe levers. Original brown rubber brake hoods are intact.
Pedals: SunTour Superbe alloy road pedals with original toe clips/straps.
Wheelset: SunTour Superbe low-flange hubs with original quick-release skewers. 700c alloy clincher rims with dork disc intact.
Tires: IRC Hp 90 Skinwall (original factory specification).
Cockpit: Sakae Custom / SR alloy anatomical handlebars and SR forged alloy stem.
Saddle & Post: Vintage Brooks leather saddle (Made in England) mounted on an SR Custom alloy micro-adjust seatpost.
Accessories: Period-correct black rear luggage rack and frame-mounted water bottle cage.
Cosmetic Condition:
Paint & Decals: The factory Gold paint is fully original and shows brilliant, jewelry-like reflections under light. It shows excellent gloss with minimal signs of storage wear, light scuffs, or oxidation. All original Raleigh frame transfers, head badge, and tubing decals are intact and legible.
Chrome & Polished Alloy: The brightwork on the fork crown, fork ends, hubs, and component surfaces shows minimal pitting. It presents with light storage patina that should respond well to a gentle detailing.
Mechanical / Service Notes (Preservation Status
Rubber Components: Unlike many storage finds, the original rubber brake hoods are still present and structurally intact. The tires are the 45-year-old original IRC factory rubber; while they hold air, they are dried out and are strictly for display purposes.
Bearings & Lubrication: The bicycle has been in long-term dry storage and remains unserviced to preserve its historical state. The grease in the bottom bracket, headset, and hub bearings is original, dried out, and must be flushed/re-packed before any road use.
Wheels: The wheels are structurally sound but require standard tensioning and truing due to decades of sitting.
Asking Price: $800
Reflecting the rare, top-of-range 1981 Raleigh Superbe specification, entirely original factory-correct components throughout, a complete 1st-generation SunTour Superbe groupset, original IRC Hp 90 Skinwall tires, a premium vintage Brooks leather saddle, and documented single-era Chicago provenance.
Cash or electronic transfer (Zelle/Venmo). Local collection preferred, Chicago. Shipping possible at buyer's expense and risk
This is an unserviced, all-original "warehouse find" 1981 Raleigh Superbe road bicycle. This specimen represents a fascinating era of Raleigh's high-end production: it features a precision-built frame manufactured in Japan paired with final factory assembly and quality control at the legendary Raleigh facility in Nottingham, England.
The bike is in untouched, "as-found" condition and retains its original dealer foil decal from Kozy’s Lakeshore Cyclery (Chicago, IL) on the seat tube. It features the factory Metallic Gold finish, a complete, period-correct 1st-generation SunTour Superbe groupset, and an original Brooks leather saddle.
Specifications
Frame / Fork: Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing (main tubes, fork blades, and stays). Lugged steel construction. Frame manufactured in Japan; final bicycle assembly completed in Nottingham, England. Forged dropouts with integrated adjuster screws. Internal rear brake cable routing through the top tube.
Size: 22.5 inches (center-to-top), approx. 57 cm.
Component Group: Full SunTour Superbe (1st Generation).
Crankset: SunTour Superbe alloy, 170mm arms, 42/52T chainrings (Sugino OEM).
Derailleurs: SunTour Superbe front (clamp-on) and rear derailleurs.
Shifters: SunTour Superbe downtube friction levers.
Brakeset: SunTour Superbe side-pull calipers with drilled/slotted Superbe levers. Original brown rubber brake hoods are intact.
Pedals: SunTour Superbe alloy road pedals with original toe clips/straps.
Wheelset: SunTour Superbe low-flange hubs with original quick-release skewers. 700c alloy clincher rims with dork disc intact.
Tires: IRC Hp 90 Skinwall (original factory specification).
Cockpit: Sakae Custom / SR alloy anatomical handlebars and SR forged alloy stem.
Saddle & Post: Vintage Brooks leather saddle (Made in England) mounted on an SR Custom alloy micro-adjust seatpost.
Accessories: Period-correct black rear luggage rack and frame-mounted water bottle cage.
Cosmetic Condition:
Paint & Decals: The factory Gold paint is fully original and shows brilliant, jewelry-like reflections under light. It shows excellent gloss with minimal signs of storage wear, light scuffs, or oxidation. All original Raleigh frame transfers, head badge, and tubing decals are intact and legible.
Chrome & Polished Alloy: The brightwork on the fork crown, fork ends, hubs, and component surfaces shows minimal pitting. It presents with light storage patina that should respond well to a gentle detailing.
Mechanical / Service Notes (Preservation Status
Rubber Components: Unlike many storage finds, the original rubber brake hoods are still present and structurally intact. The tires are the 45-year-old original IRC factory rubber; while they hold air, they are dried out and are strictly for display purposes.
Bearings & Lubrication: The bicycle has been in long-term dry storage and remains unserviced to preserve its historical state. The grease in the bottom bracket, headset, and hub bearings is original, dried out, and must be flushed/re-packed before any road use.
Wheels: The wheels are structurally sound but require standard tensioning and truing due to decades of sitting.
Asking Price: $800
Reflecting the rare, top-of-range 1981 Raleigh Superbe specification, entirely original factory-correct components throughout, a complete 1st-generation SunTour Superbe groupset, original IRC Hp 90 Skinwall tires, a premium vintage Brooks leather saddle, and documented single-era Chicago provenance.
Cash or electronic transfer (Zelle/Venmo). Local collection preferred, Chicago. Shipping possible at buyer's expense and risk
