Iconic designer dies.

It was the BMX that I had - nobody wanted a chopper when the BMX came out. My brother and I got them for Christmas one year, and were the envy of the street. Unusual considering my parents were usually too skint to match the neighbours presents, as our house was a little bit beyond what they really should have got.

I'm pretty sure there was a Raleigh shop in Hamilton as well back then. I'm certain I was in the shop looking at bikes a few times, but I can't be sure if it was an actual Raleigh shop or if that's what they sold.

Also, for some reason I read the thread title as "Ironic Designer Ties" and I thought it'd be someone looking to buy some.
 
I got my Chopper for xmas and it was silver and my parents told me it was a rare colour. I went out on it and the within 5 mins met some other kid on a silver one. Bloody lying parents.

Also the strap across the seat saying it wasn't suitable for giving backers. Oh yes, that was a good way to ensure we didn't :D
 
Chopper said:
Handling and Safety Issues

The original Chopper is fondly remembered, though it was not without problems — it was less stable than a conventional bike, and trickier to ride. It was slow and heavy, the wide tyres creating significant rolling resistance; the Chopper was not suitable for long distances. At moderate speeds it suffered speed wobbles. After several reported accidents, it was attacked in the press as a dangerous toy. The long seat lent itself to giving lifts to others and accidents were not uncommon. It could perform involuntary wheelies readily, again a frequent cause of accidents. The position of the gear lever could also contribute to injuries sustained in a crash..
Click to expand...

this was at least half the fun. Kids are wrapped up in far too much bubble wrap nowadays.
 
Wasn't old enough for a chopper, i had the smaller brother, the Budgie:(

Had no idea raleigh were in the trouble they were, allways thought they were a solid institution in the city.

Credit to the man then, rest his good soul, a man of our great city.
 
How many people create/do something that brings back fond memories from 35 years ago? That's a nice legacy for Alan Oakley to leave behind.
 
damn how many times did we fall of them when trying to take them offroad with that silly small wheel at the front classic designer
 
The Halk said:
It was the BMX that I had - nobody wanted a chopper when the BMX came out. My brother and I got them for Christmas one year, and were the envy of the street. Unusual considering my parents were usually too skint to match the neighbours presents, as our house was a little bit beyond what they really should have got.

I'm pretty sure there was a Raleigh shop in Hamilton as well back then. I'm certain I was in the shop looking at bikes a few times, but I can't be sure if it was an actual Raleigh shop or if that's what they sold.

Also, for some reason I read the thread title as "Ironic Designer Ties" and I thought it'd be someone looking to buy some.
Click to expand...

Was this the shop that used to be next to the old halifax bank near Argos? I remember being a kid in a shop there.

Hamilton used to actually have a frame builder where M+S/the car park sit now back 60 years ago.
 
The Chopper was the bike for rich kids, only one of my friends had one.

It was nothing special design wise, but it did create a fashion fad on the back of Easy Rider and Starsky and Hutch
 
Jonny ///M said:
Was this the shop that used to be next to the old halifax bank near Argos? I remember being a kid in a shop there.

Hamilton used to actually have a frame builder where M+S/the car park sit now back 60 years ago.
Click to expand...

I didn't know either of those places, the place I knew of was I think here in Avon street (didn't know the street name until I googled it!) near where Azad video and Stepek and Frank B Craig used to be.
 
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