Just finished my latest Raleigh chopper
This 1 is a 1971 Mk1 , & I wanted to do a little different , so presented it in Subaru 02c , think it looks very good & the paint ‘pops ‘ against the white . Just waiting on the rear mudguard coming back from chroming then it’s done .
Any comments good or bad welcome lol

 

I had a black/orange chopper back in days loved it then went on to a diamond back one which had more trick bits on

 

Cool , yea it’s just a little side hobby , I have 3 ,
1971 Mk1 blue
1972 first month production Mk2 ultra violet
& a 1969 girly in green , wich is next to build then I’m done . Started off with the Mk2 as that’s what I had as a kid , how it got to 3 bikes I’ll never know ha ha
Thanks for the comment zany

 

They are awesome. Talk about a blast from the past. One of my first big boy bikes from when i was a kid.

 

Kind words thanks jon

 

Here’s the girly I’m building next
Very very rare , only ever produced in small numbers for the north & South American market . I got this one from a barn in Ohio been sitting there since late 60’s , was pumpkin orange , but flamboyant green ( or wizard of Oz ) it just had to be , it’s also a 3 speed coaster so having the original hub is a major +
Hope you like

 

Very cool hobby

 

Brings back memories! Very nicely done.

 

Thanks guys much appreciated

 

Good one, I had the orange with black lettering as well, Zany. The chrome rusted really easily, but I probably left it out too much. Shows my age, but I rode it wearing a parka, and, sad to admit, singing Gary Glitter songs, aged 7; he would have loved me!

 

I had those plastic bead things that went on the spokes. Im sure they were called spokies.

 

Yea . Chroming isn’t cheap . / finding new old stock parts is getting thinner as everyone seems to be jumping on the band wagon & prices are soaring ./

 

How much is one worth, all renovated ? I expect I'll be shocked!

 

Depends on standard of built
Re chrome or Nos parts
Mine are concourse builds & will never be ridden
The girly will be a 3K bike no sweat
The 02c the purists won’t touch as I’ve done it in a non original colour , I’d say Ł1500-2
The ultra violet is exceptional standard & as it’s a December 1972 matching I’d say 2.5k
They will only ever increase tho . In 10 years time that girly will be 60 years old , something to think about , think that’s why the daughter wants it ha ha
Ov course you can find cheaper bikes around / but any concourse bike will be good money . A friend recently sold his very rare tall frame 10 speed for 5K

 

Hindsight eh !!!!
By 1975 you could go into your local department store & buy a ultra violet , flame red, or fizzy lemon MK2 for

Ł37

 

Quality! Great work 👍🏻

 

In today's money, that'd be equivalent to Ł290 in the summer of '75.

God, inflation makes me feel old.

 

awesome work m8! never had a chopper my younger brother had one tho an ultraviolet. i had a boxer then later a grifter which i converted to a 5 speed.

 

Excellent work..

 

Gary glitter go on then

Them were definetley the days
when kids were kids and actually played outside properly
and non of this social internet malarkey existed

 

They look brilliant. If you can get a few more pictures of them.....

I didn't have a Chopper, instead my parents bought me a BSA Panther. When I replaced it with a racer in my teens, it sat in the garden shed for 30 years before my Dad dumped it at the tip.

 

Thanks for all the kind comments lol

 

I had an Enfield facsimile. Which was a 'Chopper' in all but name.

I too then moved onto my first racer.

 

Nice bikes and a 70/80s phone.

 

“Retro love “

 

So the “girly “ is making progress at last , it’s been a ball ache trying to source the correct stem & handlebars for this build , also the cover cap for the gear lever. Anyway got the bars back from chroming & they look superb .
I have made a subtle change to the front as it’s a USA bike I’ve sourced a “philips Raleigh “ from the South American market ( not UK Raleigh ) this has less holes & couples it with a CNC early 80’s California rim or ( coaster ) as they are called. Looks the bomb & def adds panache. Have built the back wheel up so once tru will set that up , it’s taking shape tho .
Few pics .

 

never had a chopper.... but wish I still had my original yellow & blue Raliegh Burner BMX with spokes.

 

Cool you should restore one for nostalgia
You can hang it on your man cave wall
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F263771721079