terryc
Forum Accommodation Specialist
I'll put you up ,plenty of room in my box
Posts: 5,307
mini-profile background: {"image":"","color":"29908d"}
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Post by terryc on Sept 5, 2018 7:50:18 GMT
Even a drum would be an improvement
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Post by buster on Sept 5, 2018 11:31:15 GMT
wonderful thing, I’ll be forever wondering if the chopper gear lever is rigged to the engine like an old suicide shifter I was thinking may be it does the choke what u reckon good call, I mean the gear lever is the iconic bit of these bikes, it sticks in your mind and if you brake too hard sticks in other more uncomfortable places too, but you’d have to utilise it for something
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Post by mansell on Sept 5, 2018 18:48:01 GMT
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Post by mansell on Sept 5, 2018 20:25:11 GMT
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Post by Somersetdreamer on Sept 6, 2018 5:39:35 GMT
That is going to be stunning when all built up
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Post by mansell on Sept 6, 2018 6:29:45 GMT
That is going to be stunning when all built up It will be very shiny, that’s for sure! I’ve learned so much about the ubiquitous Raleigh Chopper, the MK1, MK1 crossover, Mk2 etc that I’ll share when finished. Many of us on this forum are of an age where we have great memories of this 1970’s icon but just like the Super Dream if anyone thinking of restoring or buying one there’s much to consider. Even down to the seat back plate that houses the iconic reflector, is it the two screw version or the one, is it the Pie reflector or the half and half, does it have the correct decal? It’s a minefield so do your research. As I say I’ll share what I know when completed. One things for sure, the SD and the Chopper parked up alongside one another will look awesome!
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Post by mansell on Apr 7, 2019 20:47:13 GMT
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Post by BritPete on Apr 7, 2019 21:22:06 GMT
Love it
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Post by buster on Apr 7, 2019 21:58:43 GMT
really nice, top work
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Post by Somersetdreamer on Apr 8, 2019 5:36:36 GMT
Looks fantastic:) It's getting expensive to do these now the best bits are crazy prices
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Post by stevie on Apr 8, 2019 5:50:13 GMT
Fantastic job mansell, mine was in yellow, I was the first kid in our road to get one 1970-71.
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Post by earlystock on Apr 8, 2019 14:03:41 GMT
I remember my first go on one of these when I was a kid - I had always wanted one, but we could not afford it. The anticipation was high, but my overpowering memory was how disappointing it was....slow, heavy and horrible to ride....my home made bitsa was WAY better....possibly one of the biggest examples of style over substance - but unquestionably a design icon!
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terryc
Forum Accommodation Specialist
I'll put you up ,plenty of room in my box
Posts: 5,307
mini-profile background: {"image":"","color":"29908d"}
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Post by terryc on Apr 9, 2019 19:18:49 GMT
Early stock that's exactly what I thought when I had my first go huge disappointment ,not a patch on my bike ,but that seat was lovely
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Post by mansell on Apr 10, 2019 6:14:57 GMT
My memories of the Chopper are somewhat different, I recall Christmas morning circa 1972 when me and my brothers woke at around 4:00 am and crept downstairs so as not to wake mum and dad, the Christmas tree lights were on and we got a sense of what it must have been like to discover Tutankhamen in the valley of the kings, there was treasure everywhere, having opened our presents we eventually decided to wade through the acres of wrapping paper to get a drink from the kitchen. So we made our way from the front room to the back room where the kitchen was. We weren’t prepared for what came next, it was like Christmas with extra Christmas as two (orange and blue)Raleigh Choppers we’re standing there, our youngest brother was too young for a bike and didn’t really appreciate them but if you bear in mind that the Chopper was “the “ bike to have back then, we were properly blown away, my bro baggsied the orange one (big bro and all that) and we were away. We had a lot of great times on those bikes and tbh the Chopper was my first bike so I knew no different, it was like a motorbike especially when you kicked out the side stand, it rode fine as far as I can remember, these days it’s an icon of the 70’s and brings back memories of a golden age, I’m sure my parents would disagree ( three day week, power cuts, constant strikes etc) but if you were a kid back then it was an awesome time to grow up. So I want to celebrate the little Raleigh Chopper for its contribution to my awesome childhood. It played a big part and is right up there with Action man, Captain Scarlet, the Banana Splits, endless summer holidays, playing out with yer mates ‘til it got dark when you made your way home and no one was worried I’d been abducted, walking up the street with my air rifle slung over my shoulder and no one batting an eyelid, ( thinking about it that’s probably why I wasn’t abducted!) great times and so glad I was part of it....
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