I was an A.F.B. BRAT and we always moved. In 1973 we moved to Germany for a year. Then to Greece for 5 years, that is when my 2 brothers and I got Raleigh Choppers for Christmas. Coolest bikes they ever made, ours had the 2 shifters. Probably the best Christmas I can remember as a kid.
Awesome collection bro, I had a white 3 speed one while schooling and used it right up to when the Army called me up for service in 1979, it had a narrower handle bar with a cross bar from brand new, well my brother started using it against my will and it went missing, he prolly sold it for a quick buck I'm betting though he would never tell me what happened to it, I was told mine was super rare and only found in South Africa where I'm at, I don't see one like I had in your collection or anywhere els for that matter proving just how rare it was, even back in the day I seen many wide handle bar versions but never one like mine, I absolutely loved my chopper and realy miss it lol, peace from South Africa ✌
What a lovely collection. As a child in the late ‘70s, I remember thinking these bikes were the epitome of cool, especially because of the car-style gear stick which was a unique feature (at least I had never seen another bike like that). When I tried one out though, I remember thinking it was rather uncomfortable to ride. I suppose it was a triumph of form over function.
Harrys a top guy & happy to help He dated the year of my mk1 chopper Which was sold in los angeles in march 1971 then brought back over to the uk so its a rarity due to that plus its in the rare flamboyant green Its totally original with all the correct parts & still in amazing condition for a 53 yr old bike Harrys knowledge is second to non like his collection
Hi I’ve got the rearest chopper in the world it’s a one off special made by Raleigh it’s a mk 4 in horizon blue with blue gear knob & silver Raleigh badge at the front there’s not another one like it anywhere else !!!
Hey man, Very nice collection. My first bike was a 1972 Red Chopper. The only thing I could never figure out was, my friends got 2 purple ones in 1974 but theirs were Raleigh and mine was a Hercules! The plate at the forks said Hercules on mine and maybe you have some history on that. Please share. My dad sold it when I was 12 and Ive been looking for a replacement ever since! Thanks in advance.
I had a second hand one back in 1980, lowered the front bars to the ground and thought I was on a dragster, come off the fucker and smashed my nose in, binned it.
My Dad bought me one in Malaysia in about 1972 - blue metallic and it had two gear levers - close together so not a separate gate - never worked out what the left hand lever did - right hand one did the 3 speeds. Never seen another with this set up - if anyone knows what it was I would love to know. Was stolen in Nigeria when we moved there - miss it now! Not the fastest bike but had street cred!
Raleigh's most dangerous bicycle....EVER. My brother had one of the first ones in deep metalic green. Awesome looking. Can't understand why they were so popular; I suppose this was my generations exposure to fashion culture. As soon as you got one and rode it, you knew you'd been 'had'. Form before function.
The price of them is so high coz people hoard them, many people want to actually ride them but can't afford one 🥺 it's a bike not an ornament, never mind how old it is
I think you need to have owned one back in the day and REALLY liked it to even consider paying what they fetch now. I first saw one in '69. A neighbour got one in '73 and I was jealous to death and wanted one!...........until I had a ride on it. I just remember thinking, "this is crap!"🤮😂 It was the same colour as my Sister's Spacehopper,..Hmmmmmm... Slow with handling/cornering to match and maybe it was just me but I felt a right knob riding it. I had a 5 speed BSA Sportsman at the time, itself not exactly the pinnacle of bicycles but leagues ahead of the Chopper IMO. A bit of an icon now though.
These things should be out on the streets. Not hoarded in some dudes shed just for him to look at. They’re not a on demand item so a lot of people will never have one, yet he got like 50 just to look at smh
Had 2 red ones and blue I battered them as a kid doing jumps ect then got a grifter which was a tougher better ride but never see any around anymore, be nice to see a grifter collection somewhere 🚲
That is one sick impressive collection. Greatest bikes ever invented, thanks for sharing it.
I was an A.F.B. BRAT and we always moved. In 1973 we moved to Germany for a year. Then to Greece for 5 years, that is when my 2 brothers and I got Raleigh Choppers for Christmas. Coolest bikes they ever made, ours had the 2 shifters. Probably the best Christmas I can remember as a kid.
What a great collection and hobby. Good for you
Mid 70’s , one Christmas I got a beautiful Purple Chopper!
What I’d do to have it back!
Great bike, great memories!
Awesome collection my friend 👏🏼
I could spend hours looking at this collection. Nice job!
This yougfella has preserved my 80s childhood the memories I have of my red chopper with gear shift and nut buster gear 🤣🍀🇮🇪🍀
Fantastic collection, I've never owned one but one day 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
He's a lovely fella, i've bought some parts off him for my collection. Top man.
My 1977 birthday - a red chopper with yellow letters. I loved that bike - special memories!
Awesome collection bro, I had a white 3 speed one while schooling and used it right up to when the Army called me up for service in 1979, it had a narrower handle bar with a cross bar from brand new, well my brother started using it against my will and it went missing, he prolly sold it for a quick buck I'm betting though he would never tell me what happened to it, I was told mine was super rare and only found in South Africa where I'm at, I don't see one like I had in your collection or anywhere els for that matter proving just how rare it was, even back in the day I seen many wide handle bar versions but never one like mine, I absolutely loved my chopper and realy miss it lol, peace from South Africa ✌
What a lovely collection.
As a child in the late ‘70s, I remember thinking these bikes were the epitome of cool, especially because of the car-style gear stick which was a unique feature (at least I had never seen another bike like that).
When I tried one out though, I remember thinking it was rather uncomfortable to ride. I suppose it was a triumph of form over function.
Harrys a top guy & happy to help
He dated the year of my mk1 chopper
Which was sold in los angeles in march 1971 then brought back over to the uk so its a rarity due to that plus its in the rare flamboyant green
Its totally original with all the correct parts & still in amazing condition for a 53 yr old bike
Harrys knowledge is second to non like his collection
I got a mk1 for a Christmas present back in 1972 it was a mustard color with black decals wish i still had it.
i had the black chopper with flame design.. best bike ever❤
Would anyone know who the best restoration company is and their contact details in the UK to bring a bike up to show standard please?
Many thanks!
Gotta be the most extreme combover I have ever seen!
Jeez .. I only want one! lol ..amazing collection!
Brilliant collection my friend bought back happy memories. 👍
I had a mark one when I was a kid , would like to get one again , any ideas where to go to get one now ?
Weally Wery nice Waleigh chopper collection woom!
Hi I’ve got the rearest chopper in the world it’s a one off special made by Raleigh it’s a mk 4 in horizon blue with blue gear knob & silver Raleigh badge at the front there’s not another one like it anywhere else !!!
His name is Harry Potter! ... now that's magic! 😂
Harri a great collection you got there 10 out of 10 m8 :)
Hey man,
Very nice collection.
My first bike was a 1972 Red Chopper. The only thing I could never figure out was, my friends got 2 purple ones in 1974 but theirs were Raleigh and mine was a Hercules!
The plate at the forks said Hercules on mine and maybe you have some history on that. Please share. My dad sold it when I was 12 and Ive been looking for a replacement ever since!
Thanks in advance.
How many mk1s do you have?
Hi have you got any idea how to deal with very heavy rust on a mk2
Elbow grease.
I had a second hand one back in 1980, lowered the front bars to the ground and thought I was on a dragster, come off the fucker and smashed my nose in, binned it.
Lovely Collection.👍👍👌👌
Hi mate ..great bikes to start with …how much would you say a export 5 speed mk1 is worth please …
Awesome!
I guess it beats "Get your coat - you've pulled" as a chat up line....
My Dad bought me one in Malaysia in about 1972 - blue metallic and it had two gear levers - close together so not a separate gate - never worked out what the left hand lever did - right hand one did the 3 speeds. Never seen another with this set up - if anyone knows what it was I would love to know. Was stolen in Nigeria when we moved there - miss it now! Not the fastest bike but had street cred!
hi mate i love the bikes you ar one lucky man to have such amazing collection
I own Alan Oakley's sketch, the one that launched the chopper...
beautiful collection most of mine are apollo 5 speeds would love too trade ,,,
I have a 3 speed
Wow... Cool..!!
Are they not a small to ride? How do you get round that? Nice collection ❤
in the 70s one night my dad brought home a brand new 10 gear chopper it was pink by the next day it was gone sold to someone
Amazing ...
Brilliant !
What a good news story...
Que bonitas bicicletas seguro deben rodar bien suave, las únicas que he tenido eran de carreras y excelente calidad Raleigh.
I would be happy if I could get just one 🤣👍
Raleigh's most dangerous bicycle....EVER. My brother had one of the first ones in deep metalic green. Awesome looking. Can't understand why they were so popular; I suppose this was my generations exposure to fashion culture. As soon as you got one and rode it, you knew you'd been 'had'. Form before function.
I agree with your fashion aproach. But I still enjoy to ride it
As a child of the 70s I can honestly say the worst bike I ever rode
Yep I agree..500 weight and 1970s brakes dont mix..especially down hill
Yes true.....but what a looker 😍
I had one in early 80s, went everywhere on it, I loved it, but they weighed a ton compared with newer bikes coming out. 😂
The price of them is so high coz people hoard them, many people want to actually ride them but can't afford one 🥺
it's a bike not an ornament, never mind how old it is
I think you need to have owned one back in the day and REALLY liked it to even consider paying what they fetch now. I first saw one in '69. A neighbour got one in '73 and I was jealous to death and wanted one!...........until I had a ride on it. I just remember thinking, "this is crap!"🤮😂 It was the same colour as my Sister's Spacehopper,..Hmmmmmm... Slow with handling/cornering to match and maybe it was just me but I felt a right knob riding it. I had a 5 speed BSA Sportsman at the time, itself not exactly the pinnacle of bicycles but leagues ahead of the Chopper IMO. A bit of an icon now though.
These things should be out on the streets. Not hoarded in some dudes shed just for him to look at. They’re not a on demand item so a lot of people will never have one, yet he got like 50 just to look at smh
Es lo mismo que digo yo como poder hacer para que me vendan una porfavor amo esa bicicleta Raleigh
Had 2 red ones and blue I battered them as a kid doing jumps ect then got a grifter which was a tougher better ride but never see any around anymore, be nice to see a grifter collection somewhere 🚲
Nothing worse than seeing an adult riding a child’s bike.
We re still childs
Necesito un tapa cadena
Cómo quisiera que me vendan una Choper Raileght
Escríbame
Sick as fuck love them all.
Sorry on the wheels
Autosol polish and use screwed up silver foil to work it in
they were dreadful in the day - anyone with an ounce of sense had a "racer" - gawd knows what pleasure you get from owning 40 of them ?
New chopper £999 what a ripoff massively overpriced
Cool bikes. Whats with the hair..? Cut your wig mate..