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Category Archives: Uncategorized
A World Distance Record Attempt (For Me)
Well, as anyone who has read my previous posts I have been trying to increase the mileage (with limited success) to at least give me a feel of how difficult my challenge will be. My previous attempts had been to … Continue reading
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Tagged leather saddle, mechanical failure, paris roubaix, transportation, trek madone
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Plan B for the troublesome gears (only cycle geeks should read)
Well after the last couple of rides ended in exactly the same problem meaning a recovery mission from my wife I thought I’d better address the issue. The problem is/was: Originally the setup on the rear hub was spoke saver, … Continue reading
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Dates and riders finalised, accommodation booked
Well after talking about it for a long time we have made progress on organising our ride. Dates 22-24 june 2013 The riders will be: John Bell – Completed C2C a few time now – lazy trainer and built for … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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First outing of 2013 and cycling with a saxophonist – try saying that after a couple
I’ve been itching to get the Chopper out all this year but every weekend seemed to at least be wet and ‘she’ doesn’t do wet!! Forecast for this weekend was good though so I was determined to go out and … Continue reading
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Tagged chopper, MKII, Penrith, purple, Raleigh, saxophonist, Stuart Johnson
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Happy 2013 Everyone
To all readers I wish you a very special 2013, may all your expectations be exceeded 🙂 It’s safe to say the Chopper is tucked up for the winter but I have done a couple of jobs on it. It’s … Continue reading
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Shouldn’t I be wrapped up for winter?
I have been fearing the onset of winter and the decision to wrap the Chopper in cotton wool only to be reintroduced in the spring so I can continue my training for Coast to Coast 😦 1st November seemed a … Continue reading
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I received a tweet from none other than…
Today was a day to push the mileage even further to nearly 17miles (steady as I go). It was after all my birthday weekend (thanks for all the birthday wishes) so I decided on the Sunday to go out on … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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I wish I had £1 for…
every time just seeing the bike (and realising it’s an original) puts a huge grin on people’s faces every time somebody wants to take a photo every time somebody tells me “they used to own one” – maybe, but where … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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New Domain Name
As I am getting quite a few hits on the site now I thought I’d make it easier for people to remember the domain name. I am proud to announce the purchase of http://www.purplechopper.co.uk It doesn’t get much easier than … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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An extended run out and a surprise to me
I thought I’d extend my ride out today so ventured out on a 12 miler but still not venturing too far from home in case of any major mechanical issues ( you’d think I wasn’t confident). Headed west past the … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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3 Speed Chopper is Now 6 Speed Chopper – checkout the conversion…
Well as most people who know anything about Raleigh Choppers will be aware the majority of them came as 3 speed using internal Sturmey Archer (AW) gears. They were notorious at slipping in 1st which will cause most men to … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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(3)Trial runs and next steps
Well I’ve now had the chopper ready for a couple of weeks and in total I’ve done 24 miles on it. It may not have been far but it’s been eventful. I’ve done 2 trips to The Hub ( a … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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First ride along the street to make sure it works (which it does)
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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Photos now uploaded
You’ll find them on the Big rebuild page within the restoration section at top of this page
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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It’s taken a while but…
the restoration is complete – hoorah 🙂 Once the chopper was returned with the paint on I claimed the glory of putting on the stickers  to then go back to the paintshop to have its final coats of protective lacquer … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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The frame has colour and …. Stickers
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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Alan Oakley, the designer of the Raleigh Chopper dies – RIP
Alan Oakley from Nottingham, designer of the iconic Raleigh Chopper, has died aged 85 after a battle with cancer. He famously sketched the design on an envelope on a return trip from USA where he’d been inspired.
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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Stripping Progress
Well, this weekend I have been stripping all the paint off the frame. Mainly using a wire brush attachment on the drill but for all the awkward areas and there were plenty) it was good old Wet or Dry or … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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Progress up to Easter 2012
Well, some parts of the bike were in a sorrier state than I originally thought. But on the bright side some bits were better – hoorah I had originally intended to make the bike a runner and not take time … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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The Raleigh Chopper Purchase
Well, after watching every MKI or II Raleigh Chopper for weeks that went through Ebay I  discovered they were fetching £200 (for wrecks) to £2800 (for concourse show bikes). I was after a bargain bike that I might need … Continue reading
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Tagged 1974, 3 speed, 6 speed, C2C, challenge, jogle, lejog, MK2, MKII, nigel bradley, purple, Raleigh Chopper, restoration, ultra violet
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