Where Can I Find A Raleigh Chopper ?



Steve Dawson

Member
Sep 18, 2015
35
8
0
53
London
For those unaware of it, The Raleigh Chopper was an iconic 1970's gear-jamming death trap that was inexplicably popular at the time despite its many numerous design flaws. The most dangerous of these flaws was the center-mounted gear-shift and its tendency to jam at the most important moments. Having survived the entire decade riding one of these death-traps, I recently decided to get one to tinker with and see if I could improve it with the inclusion of more modern components, but I have been unable to find a complete one, only a few assorted parts. Has anyone seen one of these much-loved dinosaurs for sale online or offline ?
 
The local Craigslist had a guy selling two or three of them...all in pretty rusted collectible patina condition. Not sure if Raleigh or Raleigh Rampar models or if they were all the stick shift models. I think the price for the lot was something like $200. Ad is now gone.

http://www.choppertrader.com/111%20CHOPPER%20MK2%20NEW%20PAGE.htm

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/raleigh-chopper

They did build that 1-year limited production run of them a couple years ago. I 'think' those were done in China, but probably close enough to go jump off dirt piles with. They sold out quickly, IIRC.
 
 
CAMPYBOB said:
The local Craigslist had a guy selling two or three of them...all in pretty rusted collectible patina condition. Not sure if Raleigh or Raleigh Rampar models or if they were all the stick shift models. I think the price for the lot was something like $200. Ad is now gone.
 
http://www.choppertrader.com/111%20CHOPPER%20MK2%20NEW%20PAGE.htm
 
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/raleigh-chopper
 
They did build that 1-year limited production run of them a couple years ago. I 'think' those were done in China, but probably close enough to go jump off dirt piles with. They sold out quickly, IIRC.
 

Thanks Bob, I'll have to keep on looking I suppose. I remember when they were produced a while back, they did sell like hot-cakes, obviously there are more than a few people about who want to re-experience the thrill of the dangerous 1970's like I do. As for jumping on a Chopper, I'm not sure if I ever managed more than a few inches of air even when I was a kid, I'm definitely not going to leave the ground on one of those monsters if I do manage to get one, not until I've got enough life-insurance to keep the family provided for anyway.
 
Damn...it was way back in 2004 the repro was made.
http://budgetbicyclectr.com/2004-raleigh-chopper-mk3-reproduction.html$700 or so.

http://www.choppertrader.com/

Also, a 2014 run? http://www.onestopchoppershop.co.uk/

Choppers are like Schwinn Stingrays...a pretty decent cult following. And like Stingrays, they built a metric **** ton of them and they are not 'rare' by any definition of the word. You should have no difficulty finding one for sale that suits your wallet and desired condition.
 
I remember the Raleigh Chopper bicycles. They were insanely popular here in South Africa, even right through the 80's. However, they completely disappeared from the scene eventually. I don't think I've come across a Raleigh Chopper or a similar looking bicycle for at least a decade. I doubt I'll even come across these in used and vintages stores, that's how rare they are.
 
The were sold here in NZ in the 70s too. Not popular as they were expensive and there was the Dragster as competition. I would've loved one but too tall for one. A friend won one of the 2004 Choppers. I had a ride before he sold it.
 
I've seen several of the kids around the neighbourhood riding around on Choppers, or bikes that look very much like them. Whether they are reproductions or not I do not know, but I'll have to ask them if I can have a quick look at their bikes and see.
 
If a reproduction is good enough, buy one of those, or have a local frame builder build one for you. It might be cheaper than purchasing an original and paying for shipping. Plus you can fit the frame to your size exactly and use easily replaceable modern parts in the reproduction.

Bob