Show me your chopper??

[ChopperGav]

Show me your old Raleigh choppers

Two more. Fizzy Lemon is mine Quick silver is a mates now converted to 5 speed.

 

[ChopperGav]

Frame is fine but a polo seat conversion is available so I beleive for the 'Chopper purist'!

Your quite right, my mate has a purple Mk3 with Mk2 style seat with skyway wheels too & looks pretty good I must say.

 

[Spokesmann]

No when you look where the bottom bracket they have put an extra piece of metal to make it more stronger but I think it destroys the cool look of the chopper also the shaping of the tubes is bad.

I have seen the seat conversion and it does look acceptable. In pure technical terms the Mk3 is far supieror to the Mk1 and 2, even if it does not look so cool.

 

[Paulwho100]

I have seen the seat conversion and it does look acceptable. In pure technical terms the Mk3 is far supieror to the Mk1 and 2, even if it does not look so cool.

Why??

 

[Spokesmann]

Why??

Better brakes, lighter stiffer frame, better standard of finish... As Ive said it's not to everyone taste - they do ride more responsivley too. A much safer bike in most respects too. I like all styles of the Chopper, maybe barring the Sprint.

 

[Paulwho100]

if its stuck in the frame, as they did, plenty of penetrating oil some lights taps and a bit of twisting and swearing!

If the oil getsinto the joint then it should eventually shift - you could try a little heat on the tubes as well, these can be a real swine to move. Persistence pays off.

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now and have just applied a little bit of heat and it is still stuck are you sure this is the only way to get it out??

 

[ChopperGav]

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now and have just applied a little bit of heat and it is still stuck are you sure this is the only way to get it out??

My Mk1 was so badly rusted in I had to cut the sissy bar off & while using plenty of heat clamped the stub off the bar in a vice & with a bit of back & forwards motion it came out. Tubes were full of rust & in the end I had to cut out & replace the rear tubes, not for the faint hearted.

 

[ChopperGav]

Better brakes, lighter stiffer frame, better standard of finish... As Ive said it's not to everyone taste - they do ride more responsivley too. A much safer bike in most respects too. I like all styles of the Chopper, maybe barring the Sprint.

Standard of finish. not so sure but you do see an awful lot of Mk3's with the rear sissy clamps broken which is good as it means cheap frames for all.I wouldn't mind one for my daily commute to work, as you say better brakes, lighter, etc.I would have to modify it though, seat bars & gears. As for the sprint yes please, well frame anyway, Mk2 tall frame oh yes.

 

[ChopperGav]

Love It. 5 speeds!!!!!!! wow.

Oh yes, 5 speed just count them. I am going 5 speed with my Mk1 also a genuine 3+2!

 

[Spokesmann]

Love to see pictures of them.

 

[Paulwho100]

My Mk1 was so badly rusted in I had to cut the sissy bar off & while using plenty of heat clamped the stub off the bar in a vice & with a bit of back & forwards motion it came out. Tubes were full of rust & in the end I had to cut out & replace the rear tubes, not for the faint hearted.

Love to see pictures of them.

 

[Paulwho100]

Its not quite finished yet still need to get lots of things re-chromed

 

[ChopperGav]

Its not quite finished yet still need to get lots of things re-chromed

It's looking good thus far, how old is it?

 

[Paulwho100]

40 years old I think

 

[ChopperGav]

40 years old I think

Could you tell me the first three digits & I can date it, not the whole number though, just like to know that's all.