Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254

kingfish254

Posts: 15

Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 24, 2017 23:26:32 GMT blueboy likes this

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Post by kingfish254 on Jun 24, 2017 23:26:32 GMT

Hello all,

This is my first time on this forum. I'm kingfish254 on RatRodBikes and the CABE. I've been collecting, flipping, restoring, and building bikes for about 8 or 10 years now. I'm based in Savannah, GA.

The reason that I am here is that I got a call from a local salvage friend of mine and I now own this Raleigh Chopper. On the way home I had to stop, pull the bike out, and take advantage of this photo op.

He found this under a stack of trash.

Someone told me this is a MK1. I haven't had a chance to check out the serial number or anything yet.

Any info and insight you can provide is greatly appreciated.

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Last Edit: Jun 24, 2017 23:38:28 GMT by kingfish254

davydomes

Posts: 189

Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 25, 2017 0:27:54 GMT

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Post by davydomes on Jun 25, 2017 0:27:54 GMT

Welcome aboard. To my limited knowledge, it looks like an early 1970 because of the upturn cleat bracket that attaches the seat post tube to the two small crossbar tubes. The spoke guard looks wrong but I don't know if they were different on some US bikes. I would expect it to be chromed steel. May be the back wheel has been changed. Check the hub as it should have a year and month stamped on it i.e. 70. 2 which would be February 1970. There are experts on this site who will no doubt be able to give you a more comprehensive review. The tyres have been changed. Perhaps the pedals are US spec but others will know better. It's a start anyway.

Nice find!

Last Edit: Jun 25, 2017 0:30:22 GMT by davydomes

kingfish254 Posts: 15	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 25, 2017 0:55:13 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kingfish254 on Jun 25, 2017 0:55:13 GMT Thanks for the info. I'll get more details and pics tomorrow.

Mick B Posts: 2,215	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 25, 2017 4:01:38 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by Mick B on Jun 25, 2017 4:01:38 GMT That's a great bike and a great photo too

theginger1 Posts: 668	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 25, 2017 6:44:29 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by theginger1 on Jun 25, 2017 6:44:29 GMT What a find 👍.... never happens to me 😆

davydomes Posts: 189	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 25, 2017 12:47:06 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by davydomes on Jun 25, 2017 12:47:06 GMT So busy looking the Chopper, I didn't clock the car! Is that a Chevy Camaro? Nice ride! Is it yours?

kingfish254 Posts: 15	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 26, 2017 1:40:48 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 1:40:48 GMT 1969 Chevy Camaro that I passed by on my way home. I checked the SA hub and it has a 1969 date on it.

kingfish254 Posts: 15	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 26, 2017 1:41:41 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 1:41:41 GMT What was the first year that they had the Choppers here in the US? My SA hub has a date of 1969

Jake B

Posts: 2,141

Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 26, 2017 6:30:32 GMT via mobile

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Post by Jake B on Jun 26, 2017 6:30:32 GMT

Hey first made choppers in 69 but they were what we call tall frames, yours is the first of the short frames, there should be a serial number on the left hand dropout, starting either 06 or 07

kingfish254 Posts: 15	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 26, 2017 22:58:00 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 22:58:00 GMT The serial is 0692380

davydomes Posts: 189	Raleigh Chopper MK1 salvaged in Savannah by kingfish254 Jun 27, 2017 21:10:20 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by davydomes on Jun 27, 2017 21:10:20 GMT I'm soon to start a mild restoration on a upturned cleat with hub date January 1970 and frame number 0766980

Post by kingfish254 on Jun 24, 2017 23:26:32 GMT

Post by davydomes on Jun 25, 2017 0:27:54 GMT

Post by kingfish254 on Jun 25, 2017 0:55:13 GMT

Post by Mick B on Jun 25, 2017 4:01:38 GMT

Post by theginger1 on Jun 25, 2017 6:44:29 GMT

Post by davydomes on Jun 25, 2017 12:47:06 GMT

Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 1:40:48 GMT

Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 1:41:41 GMT

Post by Jake B on Jun 26, 2017 6:30:32 GMT

Post by kingfish254 on Jun 26, 2017 22:58:00 GMT

Post by davydomes on Jun 27, 2017 21:10:20 GMT