(MBBO #5 Class 1) 1970 Raleigh Chopper

[Jake B]

I picked this bike up on Sunday, it's one spec frame I've been looking for 16 years to add to my collection!

Anyway here it is

I've started to strip it down, will get some pics uploaded in a bit of the challenges I've faced with the sissy bar extraction!

 

[rfeagleye]

Cool bike Jake! I have a question for you...why did it take you 16 years to find it? What is different about the frame?

I am not well versed in Raleigh Choppers, thought it would be cool to know why!

 

[OneHorsePower]

These bikes are so cool!

 

[KJV]

 

[Green Dragon]

Not sure what we're missing either, regarding the specialness - looks like a late crossover bike tome, but otherwise, got me stumped as well.

 

[ADVHOG]

That's very cool! I've been looking for a 70 myself. My birth year!

 

[Jake B]

This particular model is what we call a tall seat tube, was the Autumn 70 model, not necessarily that rare, but in all the years of collecting I've only got one more of these spec frames but it's been painted over. Although this frame is broken, with some light repairs it will be a good bike

 

[Jake B]

Sissy bar removal, a bit different to my normal way of removing them, because the frame is broken at the top there's no strength in the tube, so had to clamp them tight to stop them moving

After plenty of twisting...

 

[Jake B]

Handlebars came out easily, first time I've ever seen a restrictor like this on a chopper

In the pic you can see the tall seat tube

 

[LukeTheJoker]

That is a series one with the straight rear bars? From memory they curved them forward and moved the seat forward on the later versions to prevent wheelies?

Welcome aboard, that is a cool bike!

Luke.

 

[Jake B]

Cotter pins next

Now just a frameset, gonna have to see who's gonna repair it

 

[Jake B]

I was so in the mood yesterday after getting the sissy bar out I started to clean parts

 

[Jake B]

And after

 

[Jake B]

Chainwheel

 

[Jake B]

It got dark at around 8pm but I kept at it - Front wheel

And now ready for polishing

 

[Jake B]

These are next on the to do list

So far all is going well! Trying to clean everything and put it back together as I know I will end up putting the parts somewhere else and forget where I put them lol

 

[Jake B]

That is a series one with the straight rear bars? From memory they curved them forward and moved the seat forward on the later versions to prevent wheelies?

Welcome aboard, that is a cool bike!

Luke.

Thanks, yeah this is the mk1, the mk2 was the safer model that came out in 72 and was in production till about 82/3

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Safer muscle bike...

Luke.

 

[Jake B]

Yeah I got a mk2 with the mk1, lucky as the original wheel for the yellow bike was in it!

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Score!

Luke.