{"id":50824,"date":"2023-06-20T13:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T11:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=734947"},"modified":"2023-06-20T13:35:43","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T11:35:43","slug":"how-the-raleigh-chopper-became-a-1970s-icon","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-the-raleigh-chopper-became-a-1970s-icon\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Raleigh Chopper became a 1970s icon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Raleigh\u2019s resurrection aims to build on a colourful and mysterious past that has made the Chopper one of the most iconic bikes of all time <\/p>

By James Witts\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 20 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Ask any child of the 70s or 80s which bike they\u2019d like to ride dressed in their flares, a tank top and oversized-collared shirt and the reply would be unanimous: the Raleigh Chopper.<\/p>\n

Its unique design was dripping with Californian cool and saw more than 1.5 million Choppers manufactured.<\/p>\n

And then\u2026 nothing. Sales dwindled, production stopped and thousands of devotees mourned.<\/p>\n

Well, the black armbands can now be removed because the Raleigh Chopper is back<\/a>, announced last month to widespread media coverage here in the UK, and going on sale today. Here, we look back at its rich and varied past, and reveal what features are seen in the present\u2026<\/p>\n

Mysterious beginnings<\/h2>\n
\""Raleigh\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Chopper helped cement Raleigh as one of the leading bike brands of the 1970s.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cThe Chopper has an interesting early history,\u201d says Raleigh\u2019s managing director, Lee Kidger. \u201cIt was two years in development with the patent registered in the US in 1967, eventually launching in the US market in 1969.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bike was originally produced to go up against the beach cruisers and dragster-style bikes such as the Schwinn Stingray, which were very popular at the time. The Chopper launched in the UK six months later after a disappointing start to sales in the US. By contrast, it took off in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was the MKI and was designed by\u2026 well, good question. \u201cWe don\u2019t really say because there\u2019s a hell of a conflict around that answer, with six or seven people laying claim,\u201d says Kidger.<\/p>\n

Many Raleigh employees or consultants worked directly on the Chopper so, says Kidger, it\u2019s hard to unpick.<\/p>\n

One version of events is that the late Alan Oakley of Raleigh came up with the design after watching Easy Rider<\/em> while in America. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper and is famous for its Harley-Davidsons.<\/p>\n

The apocryphal, or not, story says that Oakley sketched out his idea on the plane back home to the UK, drawing what would become the MKI on the back of an airmail envelope.<\/p>\n

\""Easy\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Was the Raleigh Chopper inspired by Easy Rider<\/em>?<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

John Lees, author of Raleigh Chopper MKI and MKII: A Guide to Restoration<\/em> was convinced, referencing Oakley as the man who introduced the Chopper to the world in the foreword.<\/p>\n

Still, Kidger plays a straight bat and you can\u2019t argue that this creator anonymity adds an air of intriguing mystery to the story. What we know for certain is that John Gordon, Harry Letherland and Tom Karen are listed on the original US patent.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re also clear that its name catalysed a series of design nuances specific to the Chopper. \u201cThe name came from chopper or \u2018chopped\u2019 motorcycles that were very popular in the US at the time,\u201d Kidger explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe long saddle and back bar, or \u2018sissy bar\u2019 as it is more commonly known, were designs that took inspiration from drag cars and the roll bar that sits behind the driver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis also accounts for the large rear wheel and small front wheel. The arrow frame design, high handlebars and long saddle were typical of cruiser bikes that were popular in the US during the 70s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\""Man\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Back for 2023 \u2013 the Raleigh Chopper. This is the new Chopper, released today.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Safety evolution<\/h2>\n

The MKI proved popular but, as would become a theme for the Chopper, it demanded a MKII to overcome safety issues.<\/p>\n

The original seatstay design rose 90 degrees to the saddle and was entirely straight, resulting in a rather unstable ride.<\/p>\n

A slight seatstay kink in the MKII improved the situation. The designers also shortened the saddle slightly in an effort to deter youths doubling up on the Chopper, which had made it even more unstable and dangerous.<\/p>\n

Raleigh also narrowed the handlebars slightly, again for safety reasons. The iconic gear shifter became a little less bulbous to limit the chances of teenage boys never having children if they fell off. It was released in 1972.<\/p>\n

\""Raleigh\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Chopper MKII was released in 1972.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

All of these alterations paid off and brought Raleigh an even more fanatical and significant fanbase, the Chopper\u2019s culturally relevant status heightened by appearances in 80s movie classics such as The Goonies<\/em> and Back to the Future<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Britpop band Supergrass rode Choppers in their UK chart No.2 single Alright<\/em> and Lily Allen rode a Chopper in her biggest hit LDN<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It seemed the Chopper was here to stay\u2026 and then came the MKIII. YouTube channel Iconic Brands called it \u201ca horror of health and safety gone mad\u2026 They split the saddle and added protection to the back to break a fall. They also used aluminium so it was lighter and replaced the gear stick\u201d.<\/p>\n

Arguably, it was this last design tweak that proved the most heretical as Raleigh employed a throttle shifter instead. \u201cMany thought the gear shifter was replaced because of safety standards,\u201d Kidger clarifies. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t the case. That was just the decision made in 2004.\u201d<\/p>\n

A bad one. The MKIII ceased production. But now the Chopper is back with what we would presume is the MKIV, but Raleigh terms the \u2018New Chopper\u2019.<\/p>\n

]Whatever its moniker, the new bike is based on what many feel is the engineering and aesthetic masterpiece that is the MKII.<\/p>\n

\""Man\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new Chopper (pictured) is inspired by the MKII.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cAt first glance, it looks like an original MKII,\u201d says Kidger. \u201cIn fact, many thought the first picture we put up was of a restored MKII, not the new Chopper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an iconic product, so we wanted to keep changes minimal,\u201d he continues. \u201cWe\u2019ve used aluminium in some parts rather than steel just because of modern manufacturing standards. We\u2019ve also had to use a slightly shorter and lower saddle because of safety standards.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s pretty much it; that said, it\u2019s taken nearly five years of development. Covid held things up slightly, but there\u2019s a lot of engineering and craftmanship involved, including forging new moulds. It\u2019s designed in the UK and mostly manufactured outside the UK, albeit two or three parts were made here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Satisfying the fanbase<\/h2>\n
\n
\""Raleigh\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Will the new Chopper get the seal of approval from aficionados of the original bike?<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Raleigh knows the new Chopper will undergo a scrutiny reserved for the most iconic of bikes, especially because the fanbase is so significant and so loyal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of brand fans who love our bikes,\u201d says Kidger. \u201cThe success of the rebirth of the Burner [relaunched in 2022 to celebrate 40 years since its creation] showed us that we can continue to make bikes for our fans. Of course, we\u2019re looking for new markets, too, but we know we have passionate followers.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of whom is Colin Hewitt of Worle in North Somerset. \u201cI have three-and-a-half Choppers,\u201d he says. \u201cI have three complete bikes and a frame that I\u2019ve stripped and hung on the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hewitt, like many a Chopper enthusiast, will seek out rusty bargains online and restore them back home. \u201cI\u2019ll clean up the chrome, though I\u2019ll create a patina effect where it actually looks old.\u201d<\/p>\n

\""Raleigh\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Original Choppers have become much sought after collectors\u2019 items.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

He\u2019s renovated and sold Choppers in the past, but is happy to hold onto his current models, and not just for ornamental interest.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy partner and I often head to the nearby Weston-super-Mare seafront, where people will shout out, \u2018There\u2019s a Raleigh Chopper. I had one of those when I was a kid\u2019. They\u2019ll take photographs and seem to enjoy the sentimentality of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hewitt\u2019s a relatively newbie when it comes to Chopper collecting. He had one as a child, but it\u2019s only in the last couple years that he\u2019s rekindled his Chopper love.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s now a bonafide convert, recently attending the Raleigh Chopper Show in Emberton Park, Milton Keynes. There, Hewitt and several hundred enthusiasts talked, ogled and rode Choppers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was also a competition for the best patina, best Chopper at the show, best MKIII\u2026 probably nine or 10 categories to enter,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was great fun and I\u2019ll be back, though I\u2019ll still attend with far fewer Choppers than Harry Potter.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Chopper\u2019s number-one fan<\/h2>\n
\""Man\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new Raleigh Chopper is limited to 2,000 bikes,<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Harry Potter \u2013 yes, that is his real name \u2013 runs a Raleigh Chopper owners\u2019 group, whose membership numbers over 4,000 and stretches as far afield as China and Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

Potter also works in his family\u2019s lifestyle and surf shop in Barmouth, North Wales, called First Impressions \u2013 employment that\u2019s needed to fuel Potter\u2019s Chopper love-in.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have around 60 or 70 Raleigh Choppers at my place and at my parents\u2019,\u201d he tells us in-between serving customers. \u201cI tell people that they\u2019ve cost me 50 grand, so I\u2019ll stick with that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Whatever 27-year-old Potter\u2019s outlay, he could recoup that many times over if he\u2019d ever sell \u2013 which he never would. \u201cI\u2019ve been collecting them for around 13 years,\u201d he says. \u201cMy parents bought me one for Christmas and I really enjoyed riding it and messing around with it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI then wanted a project, so bought two more. From then on, my mum and dad drove me around the country seeking Choppers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember one purchase involved a seven-hour round trip to Lytham St Annes. It was an absolute rust bucket and I didn\u2019t touch it for three years. It was an interesting talking point, though!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOne day it\u2019d be great to open a Chopper museum,\u201d he adds. \u201cUs collectors are very passionate about them and it\u2019s why I\u2019m very careful when people tap me up online seeking my advice. I don\u2019t want to act as the middleman for people buying and selling them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\""Woman\"<\/picture><\/div>
The new Chopper is available in two colours: Ultraviolet\u2026<\/span> <\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\""Raleigh\"<\/picture><\/div>
\u2026and Infrared.<\/span> <\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i> <\/span>\n<\/div> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Like choosing your favourite child, Potter\u2019s reticent to pick a favourite but pitches for a rare 10-speed MKII, which were made in very small numbers for the American market.<\/p>\n

Conversely, the MKIII nestles some way down his Chopper roll of honour. \u201cFrom the way they talk about it, Raleigh are quite embarrassed about that model, too,\u201d Potter says.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s why they\u2019ve gone to town with the new one \u2013 they know they can\u2019t make the same mistakes again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Potter seemingly has a direct line to the upper echelons at Raleigh and has become a poster boy for the Chopper. Since news of its return hit the headlines, he\u2019s been on BBC Wales and the BBC Breakfast Show, on numerous newspapers and the Jeremy Vine Show.<\/p>\n

That media attention reveals the affection many hold for the Chopper, and it\u2019s an affection that sees the growing Chopper club undertaking regular ride-outs around the county, with upcoming events in Warwick and Rhyl.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s a Chopper aficionado and will be first in line at the Raleigh Exhibition Centre in Nottingham to collect his new Chopper at launch today.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen this comes out, I don\u2019t think Raleigh are prepared for it,\u201d he says. \u201cWhen I talk to them, they just think they\u2019re bringing out a new Chopper and they hope people will like it. They don\u2019t realise how big this is going to be. There are thousands of people interested and I think it\u2019s a limited run of no more than 2,000.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it\u2019s \u00a3950 [the previous model would have been around \u00a3350 to \u00a3400 in today\u2019s money], but bikes cost more these days. This will be huge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raleigh certainly hopes so.<\/p>\n

The limited-edition Chopper will be launched in the two original colours: infrared and ultraviolet. They\u2019ll be available to buy from Tuesday 20 June at 12pm, online at raleigh.co.uk and at the Raleigh Bikes Nottingham store. The online sale will have a virtual queuing system in place and at Raleigh Bikes Nottingham there will be a queueing system outside the store. In both cases, Choppers will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.<\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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