Patience is a virtue and I do my best not to live by that motto. I am pretty tenacious when it comes to getting something I want, so it is often hard to wait to see what will come to market. As it turns out my English 3-speed timing worked out perfectly and I found a really nice looking green all-original Raleigh Superbe in Clearfield, PA, right off interstate 80. Since I was headed to Ohio this weekend via I-80, the 3-speed is now mine and for nearly half the cost of most of the Superbes that have been popping up in NYC and on eBay. Update: I almost forgot to mention that I added a bunch of different bicycle makers to The American List – check it out if you are interested.
Since I was riding my bike around Cleveland this weekend I took some photos of the Americana on Main Street in Willoughby, Ohio.
Michael, I spent several years living in Shaker and teaching in Mentor (college in Ashland). Growing up in L.A., these images are the kinds of things I loved to see and miss seeing in person since moving back to the coast. The industrial sights leave a great impression of an America that is sadly gone (OK, happily gone in some respects). We have been hoping for years for a “revival” of Cleveland. Let’s hope it is soon. Enjoy the trip.
Mike
Thanks for that glimpse of home.
BobbyR
Sweet ride! Love the green.
A tip on bicycle photography: Shoot the drive side.
Nice bike!
Nice bike! I have a very similar Dunelt that I have been riding around lately-These old British bicycles have such nice,deep paint that shines up well with rubbing compound, and great chrome,too. I spent all last winter with a small wire brush and chrome polish,and it looks great now.
I drive back and forth from Michigan to New Jersey now and then,and for some reason, I always make it a point to stop in Clearfield for gas and coffee.
What were you doing in Willoughby?
That is exactly where I live, drive by it daily when I am home from school. Fantastic!
Love these Americana shots. Thanks for putting these up.
Long live the Raleigh!
Andrew — I’m originally from Wickliffe / Willoughby. —ACL
I’m from New Jersey.
Man, you really scored. Needle in a haystack kind of score.
I got a red Superbe (missing the original pump) at a garage sale for 5 Canadian dollars (I live in Toronto). I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.
If anyone knows about getting a replacement pump, please post here, I’d really appreciate it.
Anj,
Old Roads can hook you up with a new old stock Raleigh frame pump. I picked one up for my ’62 Dunelt there.
http://OldRoads.com/bikepart.html
I.A.
Much appreciated.
Lake County, represent! I love Willoughby.
Great bike. I saw a guy tooling around inTribeca on one just like it last weekend, and turned green with envy.
Seriously bitchin’ green. Nice work.
kickstand’s are for pussies.
A couple of web sites for British bike fans.
http://www.abcetour.com/
http://www.3speedtour.com/
The Lake Pepin 3 speed tour is great fun. I’m riding in the ABCE on Saturday for the first time. I’ve got a 1969 Raleigh Sports 3 speed, same color as your Superbe. I was able to find a knock off pump which fit my Raleigh, not original but you can’t tell unless you look at the make.
By the way, kick stands are rather practical.
You lucky so and so! Been looking for a Raleigh and can’t find or win bids!