1978 Raleigh Superbe All-Chrome 'Boss Bike'

1978 Raleigh Superbe All-Chrome ‘Boss Bike’

I collect pre-1920s bicycles; I also buy and sell bicycles, mostly later ones. I try not to buy post-1920s bicycles. But certain machines are so unique, iconic and rare that if I’ve previously made any rules …I break them. This Boss Bike is such a bike.

I found this fabulous shiny beast for sale online while on holiday with my wife and daughter in Mexico in 2011. I was sciving off my daily beach duty to look on my ipad. After returning home I rode it for a while and then put it into storage. I removed it a few weeks ago and took these photos. The chrome is tarnished in places – chrome in that era was nowhere near as good as on older vintage bicycles – but it still shines nicely in the sun.