Full Description
FOR SALE
A boxed Raleigh Chopper Black and Gold JPS Limited Edition, 1 of 400 made worldwide.
EQUIPMENT
• Frame: Aluminium alloy tubing frame.
• Frame design: Sleek Black and Gold leaf detailing.
• Handlebars: High rise ‘ape hanger’ handlebars.
• Gears: 6-speed Shimano Revoshift derailleur gears.
• Brakes: Aluminium V-brakes with aluminium/resin brake levers.
• Wheels: Aluminium black rims with bobbed cruiser style mudguards
• Tyres: Classic 16″ front, 20″ rear motorbike styled Chopper tyres
• Tyre specification: Red 16 x 2.125 front and Black 20 x 2.125 rear.
• Seat: Demin fabric two-piece saddle with JPS logo and rear hoop ‘sissy bar’.
• Seat Post: Aluminium micro adjust seat post in satin black.
• Accessories: Derailleur guard, chain guard, bell, aluminium kickstand.
HISTORY
The Raleigh Chopper, although an icon of the 1970’s and where it saw the majority of its phenomenal success, was first launched in 1969 by the Raleigh Bicycle Company in Nottingham, England. The bikes design was influenced by dragsters, chopped motorcycles and beach buggies and it quickly became a cultural icon, especially among young people. Throughout the evolution of the Chopper from the Mark 1 to the Mark 4, the essence of the design has changed very little, but certain safety flaws linked to the Mark 1 and 2 had to be overcome following negative press in the 1970’s where it was in some cases labelled as a dangerous toy! These included the tendency for the bike to perform involuntary ‘wheelies’ particularly when giving a friend a ‘backie’ on the long padded high-back seat and also the groin catching T-Bar frame mounted gear lever. Thankfully after an absence of over 20 years saw the Mark 3 relaunch with a more conventional seat to deter the offering of ‘backies’ and re-siting of the gear lever to the handlebar, a more personal equipment friendly location! Whilst the original Choppers have gained highly collectable status and soaring prices, the limited-edition releases are extremely sought after among collectors.
RALEIGH CHOPPER BLACK AND GOLD LIMITED EDITION
Released in 2015 to pay homage to the golden age of British motor racing, the Raleigh Chopper Black and Gold Limited Edition launch consisted of only 400 units. The livery consists of Sleek Black and Gold leaf detailing, a tribute to the iconic Lotus Formula 1 motor racing John Player Special cars. Known as ‘Players’ or ‘JPS’, the instantly recognisable livery and gold pinstriping has also been applied to other British legends such as the JPS Ford Capri. Supplied by a limited number of Raleigh stockists, these bikes are highly collectable.
DESCRIPTION
Literally box-fresh, this very rare official UK Raleigh Chopper Black and Gold Limited Edition a perfect collector’s item for Chopper fans all over the world. The bike has never been unboxed and is of course unassembled. The box has a few light storage marks and even the plastic strapping has not been removed.
FUNCTIONALITY
Modern specification separates this Chopper from its earlier Mark 1 and 2 brethren with 6-speed Shimano Revoshift derailleur gears controlled by a grip shift, aluminium V-brakes
and aluminium rims. The handbook, owners guide, instructions and assembly tools will be present in the unopened box.
Celebrating the famous Chopper phenomenon that singlehandedly saved a struggling Raleigh in the 1970’s, this Black and Gold Limited Edition is one of only 1 of 400 made and is highly collectable.
