Well, if you bought it used in 85, it might just squeek in as built in 1983, but I always thought these Japanese-built Raleighs were "mid-80's" or later. IMHO, they are definitely KOF, and in fact I really like the Superbe. Does anyone know who actually built these Japanese Raleighs? This seems a very similar story to the Schwinn World Voyageur and later the the Schwinn Volare, both in the 70's. Really good values in Japanese equipped bikes, and the workmanship on the frames was very good, although not the match of a frame from a small custom builder. Haven't seen a lot of Japanese Raleighs in person, but I'd wager the brazing was considerably more consistent than that at Nottingham, or even Worksup.
I don't know a lot about these bikes, mostly because we haven't had much discussion here due to them probably being after 1983. But the Superbe at least seems solidly KOF, with lugged steel frame and non-indexed components of models introduced before 1983.
One thing I'd like to know is how these fit in with the Huffy-built, or at least Huffy-marketed, Raleigh USA models. The licensing deal with Huffy seems to have begun about the same time. I've assumed that the Superbe and other Japanese models not specifically badged as Raleigh USA were built for Raleigh England, but I could be wrong. But are the first Japanese Raleighs earlier than the first Raleigh USA models? Did Huffy built the Raleigh USA models themselves in the USA, or did they also contract out some to Japan? Did Raleigh England have models built in Japan at the same time as Huffy was building Raleigh USA models? Were there any models that were marketed by both Raleigh England and by Huffy with just a change of decals? Like the Superbe, I think at least the earliest Raleigh USA models were pretty solidly KOF, and some pretty nice bikes IMHO. But due to lack of discussion here it is probably mostly just the CR members who actually sold these bikes who know a lot about them.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, Texas, USA
Tom Forbes <tfbike@hotmail.com> wrote:
OK guys, and gals. I am still trying to pin down the year of this bike. www
.flickr.com/photos/23018499@N03
As I think I have in the pics, I bought used in '85. It was orange but had
yellow Raleigh (block letters), and said Superbe on the top tube.
The fork steerer tube is copperish/chrome and marked "Tange". Suntour drop
outs, and chrome under the paint. Serial # MOE 19934.
??? On topic? KOF at best ?
Thanks.
Tom Forbes
Houston, Texas, USA.
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