Old and Rusted Bicycle Restoration - Vintage Raleigh Chopper
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Old and Rusted Bicycle Restoration - Vintage Raleigh Chopper
Helping out a friend to restore this old and rusted bicycle - a 1970s Vintage Raleigh Chopper. The iconic design has became the cultural icon and a 'must have' toy for every cool kids who grew up in that period. I have learnt a lot throughout the restoration process, not only the technical skills, but the history of Raleigh Chopper. Let me brief about the learning outcome in two parts: History and Technical..
History:
If you have noticed for this Chopper, besides the general iconic design (ape hanger handlebars, bobbed mudguards, long padded sprung seat, etc), it featured a SHIMANO gear hub instead of Sturmey Archer which is synonym with Raleigh Chopper bicycle. Based on the research that I did on online forum, it seems to be a model made in Taiwan instead of UK. So I guess maybe Raleigh has a manufacturing branch in Taiwan for Asia market? Leave a comment if you have any idea.
Technical:
Since this bike has collectible value, so I need to be very careful not to deal any damage. Restoring collectible item is different from the previous projects that I have done. Previously, I can remove the rust with power tools, but I can never do that on chrome surface. To restore a chrome surface, the best way without scratching the chrome surface is to scrub with aluminium foil or fine steel wool with water. It sounds easy, and yes it is for light rusty area, it is so satisfying to wipe off the rust layer covering the shiny chrome. However, I almost used up my elbow grease in this restoration :) nonetheless, I am SUPER DUPER SATISFYING with the final outcome.
Another tricky part is to fabricate the broken bracket for the gear to work again. I have fabricated a few pieces until I get it right. The aesthetic of the replacement is not perfect, but it works fine :)
I have tried to shift gear while riding, and it works perfect.
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I am not professional mechanic/handyman/restorer, nor I own a workshop. But I believe, If Y can dream it, Y can do it!
I hope you guys enjoy the video. Let me know what do you think. Please leave me a comment to give feedback and share your thoughts :)
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Additional Music by Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*
Thanks 😊
Loved watching this video. I had a bike like this and it actually made me get a little emotional. Seeing an old beat up bike get restored to some of its former glory through your care and patience was beautiful. At risk of sounding like old fogey...kids today don't realize what bikes meant to my generation growing up. They were lifelines for every kid. If we wanted to see our friends, we rode our bikes to see them. If we needed to get anywhere, we rode there. Thanks so much.
Thanks! Hope that the bike can continue to serve for more decades.. 😊
a trick: you can watch series at Kaldrostream. I've been using it for watching all kinds of movies these days.
@Branson Kingston yup, I've been watching on flixzone} for months myself :D
@Branson Kingston Yup, I have been using flixzone} for years myself =)
I'm impressed, well done that girl.
Thanks! 😊
Awesome! We love choppers, great to find someone else doing these
Thanks 😊
Amazing job as always, you do such wonderful work. I cant believe the state of the seat on a 40+ year old bike. I'm amazed it wasn't cracked and torn as usually happens. Also the state of the paint work, amazing, great to see that you didn't have to strip it, match the paint and get the logo stickers remade.
My only issue from a riding perspective is I would have liked to see the chain, all the bearings and cables replaced, I think this could have been done without affecting the aesthetics.
Thanks! I'm lucky to get a 'not very bad' condition bike. However, restoring the chrome is the hardest and tiring part. It requires loadssss of patience and elbow grease. This project is both physically and mentally challenging! The reason not replacing the chain is due to the owner's perspective on collectible value, so try to keep everything as original as possible. A friend who is an antique collector told me that the brown colour of the rust is where the value comes from. But you are right, from a riding perspective, over 40+ years of moving mechanical parts should be replaced :)
Excellent! I had one in the same colour for christmas 1974. Wish i still had it now. Still a very cool bike. Well done!
Thanks! 😊
Very nice done enjoy your beautiful bicycle . Bye bye John Bee
BEST Christmas present I ever had, 1972 💙
@K Thomas I remember the minute I got it and every ride.
Magical 👍
Awesome restoration. I'm glad you kept it complete and original. A lot of bikes get over restored and lose their caricature.
Thanks! 😊
La bici con la que todo niño de antes soñaba y que no muchos lograron tenerla. Quedó hermosa!!
Awsome job in restoring a cool vintage bike back to its original condition I had a scwinn stingray krate pea picker back bout 76 or 77
Thanks 😊
That brought back memories for sure. My late father bought me one for my 14th birthday in 1973. What made it special was that we were poor and I was in a childrens' home at the time. My Dad was only allowed to visit me every second weekend too. He had saved a whole year to get it for me. This was the biggest gift I ever received. R.I.P. Dad.
My dad used to have a functional Releigh Chopper but given away to a foreign worker. Now that you have restored this similar bike, I really appreciate its vintage value and time piece. A classic of its time and restorable ! You really done a great job on restore the bike !
Thanks 😊 i hope that the worker who received that will take care of it and continue to appreciate that
I’ve always wanted a original chopper and a few days ago I finally got one I braught all mk3 parts and just waiting for it to arrive can’t wait it’s a dream come true I got the parts for really cheap and the total only ended up being around £200 can’t wait dream came true ha
Yes you can do it! 😁
She done her best with what she had. 🌹👍
Haha you know me well! 😆
🚴🌹
This was super useful! Have looked at a tonne of raleigh videos, and this is the only one that had the details I actually needed - thanks so much! :) (also just beautifully filmed)
Thanks! 😉😊
I also had this bike, left desperately in my back yard. As soon as i finished watching your video, i feel so sorry for my bike. I will restore it as you did. What a great bike, stunning video, and die-hard effort to bring her alive after 40 years! Big thank to you.
Thanks! Enjoy your restoration too 😊
Outstanding. I have a 1972 Chopper I got when I was 9. Horrendous condition but I’ve brought it with me to each house I’ve owned. Loved this video. It has inspired me to start the long restoration process that may take me several years. Just hope I don’t die before it is done.
Thanks! I believe you can do it, and please share us your experience once you have done it 😉😉
A labour of love, great video, thank you 👍🏻
Thanks! 😊
Nice job. Im a total restoration fan to be honest, Im involved with restoring jukeboxes I like them looking like new others want to preserve the wear on them
Looks lovely, you have given it another 50 years life. Well done.
Thanks 😊
Hi...This is A REAL restoration.. Congratulations...
Thanks 😊
A few friends of mine had that bike. I remember them vividly
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Yes, incredible end result, well done for having the patience!
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I am impressed by how clean and organized you keep your work space.
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A talented girl. She knows how to do everything herself.
Thanks 😊
Wow, the foil trick is great.
I had a yellow one.It was an evil thing,would wheelie no problem,but the tiny front wheel would wash out from under you easily....And those handlebars gave you pain in your tender parts if you werent careful....God I miss that bike😉Youve done a super job bringing this one back👏👏👏
Thanks 😊
Great job, with the broken gear changer. Many years ago, when my dad worked in Iran, I had gone there for a few months and was given a similar 3 speed bike, basically an imitation chopper made in Taiwan. I would have also serviced the wheel bearings and headset.
Thanks 😊
Great video. I'm actually going to clean up my old MK2 for my Grandson, starting this week.
I hope my hardware comes apart as easily as yours did. Luckily I have zero rust, but some minor pitting that I will deal with. What an incredible little piece of history, great job.
Outstanding well done 🏴👍
The Best of the best engels work ....wonderfull......,
Thanks 😊
you really shined those parts up nice
😁
Might be worth buying a cheap grinder and putting a polishing attachment on, you'd do all those screw heads etc in no time, also you done really well to find one of these without a ripped seat .. Great job tho 👍👍👏
Thanks!
I had one of these when they first were produced. They were the coolest thing when I was a kid. This was a wonderful renovation to clean and renovate too useable condition rather than a restoration to as new condition. I think keeping it true to its age and use is the better way as it’s such an old bike. Really well done, there was so much hard work by hand. Excellent
Thanks very much! 😉😊
I had one of these bikes,back in the 70s thanks for posting , great vid, keep up the good work ,
Thanks 😊
Magic job ,,well done !
Thanks 😊
Very good attempt at restoration. It could’ve gone two ways - full restore to factory new condition or keeping most of the old patina as an object that has aged well.
I always desired one of these Raleigh Choppers as a young boy growing up in the 1970’s - they were the epitome of coolness then and now.
I restore bikes too!! I like keeping the patina instead of making it new to! Super cool and GREAT job! The current project im working on is a huffy rail.
Thanks! Wish you luck with your resto 😊
Excellent subtle restoration.
Just a fantastic restoration on your part. Not over done. I love the fact that you kept the history of the bike with this restoration. You were not going for perfection. I know you put in a ton of time and effort to get the final result. Well done.
Thanks 😊 heartfelt compliment!
Nice job. Try Nev-R-dull cotton wadding to polish chrome. It will clean up all but the deep pits and heavy rust.
Thanks for the tip! Does that cleans off light rust well? So that I can skip the aluminium foil or steel wool part?
I wish you had a small sand blasting unit. Would make the rust so much quicker to get rid of. I love to watch your work.
Thanks my friend! Saving budget for a sand blaster 🤭
I like the fact that she's done a sympathetic restoration and not a complete renewal ,I've got an original 1979 marked this still works great now I was going to restore it but I think keeping it original is better? Just One criticism you should always smile when you ride a chopper🤣👍
Haha will keep my smile off video 😆
Job well done!
Always enjoy your projects.
i wish i had one like this,3 speeds had a good bit of hill climbing power
Wonderful job . Greetings from UK.
Thanks! 😊
These are quite valuable. I believe you made the correct choice to maintain patina and remove rust. I’ve seen these on eBay from 800-1500 usd. Some in pretty rough shape. Great job!
Thanks! 😊
Polishing is hard work, but you did it very well !!!!
Thanks nice video !!!
Thanks my friend!
Excellent, thanks for the video.
Thanks! 😊
Well done, patience & skill turned the Chopper around :)
Thanks 😊
Great job!
Thanks 😊
Great Job!👍👍👍👍
Thanks 😊
Impressive stuff. You deserve an Oscar ! 🏆 🥇
Thanks! But way too far too Oscar 😆
This is the best Raleigh Chopper restoration video :)
Real time budget restoration 👍 amazing triks with foil nd water patience should be ultra level high to work with polishing buffing with bare hands kinda epic ❤️❤️ enjoyed each moment in video 👍👍 girl u rock love love & blessings
Thanks 😊
Excellent job , I live in Nottingham and I've had 3 chopper's when I was young . I wished i keap them . X
Thanks 😊 where have they gone??
Nice work ,like how you didn’t go full resto and strip paint and kept the patina....👍
Thanks 😊
it was until the end of the video that i realized, you are fellow Malaysian!!!
Hey ya! Anak Malaysia 🇲🇾
@@theymaker125 got myself a MK2 and MK1... Your vid will be a useful guide for me on the restoration.
So satisfying to watch! When I was a kid, I would have given ANYTHING...to find a distributor near me in Connecticut to buy a Raleigh Chopper back in the 70s! I HAD the money from my paper routes and shoveling snow but no one sold them anywhere I could find and I DID try, believe it! lol *Liked & Subscribed
Thanks! I love your childhood experience! Because the kids nowadays play games on phone and meet virtual friends.. Wait, you couldn't get a Chopper? I thought its very popular so i assume you can get anywhere easily? Sorry, i can only imagine things happened in the 70s.. because I'm a 90s 😊
That gear shift was so dope! Awesome you fixed that!
Thanks my friend! 😊
Not really a "restoration", but a really nice clean up and repair.
Thanks! 😊
P
Done justice for the word RESTORATION
For chrome plated parts as tyre (wings) ,handlebars,rims,and others,you can clean from rust grinding with wd 40 or petroleum and extremely thin (steelwool for inox kitchen pots,the grey who can cut by your hands as cotton.)After you polish with inox polish cream and a soft cloth. If the chrome are damaged paint it. Good work,greetings from Greece.
Thanks! 😊
Looks great!
not really a restore but a cleanup.
Amazing job! Very talented
Thank you so much!
Nice restoration. Ifvyouvckean rust off pitted chrome work you can apply some rust converter liquid then rub off once any small rust has converted. I then spray a light cost of UV acrylic clear coat. Should protect from further rust.
Thanks for the great idea!
People ( kids ) in 1970-1990 painted their bike parts ( rims, fenders, part of the frame and other) with black oil paint with a brush. This ,,trend” was very popular in Bulgaria too this years😂
The best is that the chrome under the paint is like a new now😂
Great work & dedication; looks very therapeutic. Was relaxing to watch :)
Thanks 😊
Nice restoration.
...Fantastic!👑
Thanks
Well done
By this time the Mark ll was being put together in Asia and was the start of Raleigh and its decline 2 years after this was built my uncle that worked at Raleigh Nottingham lost his job. The site where Raleigh once stood is now part of Nottingham Uni which has many Asian students its a funny old world we live in.
Wow good to know the story and the way it linked all together.. interesting to know! 👍
Very nice
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Excellent work!
Thanks 😊
Hey, a job well done. One tip, never lubricate the chain with oil or Vaseline. It will deposit dust over time and is difficult to clean. Usually the chain is lubricated with graphite. When I was little, I took a piece of pencil lead (the drawing one, type B, not HB, used by those who make portraits) and rubbed it well with a chain. It does not attract dust, plus it repels water. Greetings from Romania.
Hi, thanks for the great tips.. will try that 😊😉
Wow!!! What an amazing job!!!💯💯
You are so pretty and talented!!!!💗
Thanks 😊
Very nice. How old is this bike ? It reminds me of the 5 speed Mustang bikes that was produced in the 1970's here in America. I really like that you left the original paint on it, it looks wonderful 👍😊
Great job, well done 👍🏼
Thanks 😊
I'm the first to like and reply! Fantastic rejuvenation of that classic bike! I remember them from when I was a kid and they were very coveted! So glad you just rejuvinated and didn't try to replace/re-chrome and re-paint. And your hand carving that bushing in teflon was incredible! Cheers from you #1 fan theos_resto!
Hey Ted! Thanks very much for the compliment!
And glad to have helped in your nostalgic memory, but is the bike really that 'iconic'? Everyone who saw this bike gave me a 'wow' kinda expression, saying that owning it is a synonym to coolness around the 70s. Is that so?
@@theymaker125 it was the ultimate cool bike in the 70s!
Ok.. now i have absolute confident in my thumbnail title.. Cool Kids Bike
Great job. Suggest you get correct tyres for this bike
Thanks for suggesting! 😊
I watched all the video's and I noticed in almost every single video it rains! :-D Looks like the UK or NL. Also always raining!
Hi! Ya, rains a lot in Malaysia 😊
@@theymaker125 Here too in NL, although it now winter here and last week we had snow and frozen lakes, now its 18-20 degrees, almost spring/summer. Really weird weather now.
Ya, same here in Malaysia.. the hot season is getting hotter year by year.. now is the hot season, and its extremely hot now 😁
Amazing work yuhn
Thanks Ruby!!
RIDE ON GIRL !
steel wool pads like brillo with soap in them work great with chrome and chrome cleaner with steel wool
Thanks for the suggestion!
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Quad Zero (0000) ultra-fine steel wool is much faster, less abrasive and less destructive than foil or sandpaper at removing surface rust. Give it a try ! :) LOL! I wrote that seconds before I saw you switch.
自然に治してる所が良い
Very well done. So impressive to see you undertake this project and all down to your own hard work. In the Uk Mark 2 Choppers will sell for £1000 plus. So you have saved something and have a bike that will continue to increase in value/ I have liked and now subscribed! Cool,,,,,,
Many thanks! 😊
My situation is I am quite old and over the years I have collected and used many hand tools and machines. I look at my children and grandchildren and non of them have the interest or even the skills to use and appreciate this equipment after my lifetime of collecting. Amazing to see someone so young who has an interest and ability. Amazing and well done.
I see.. dont worry.. one day you'll find someone who would appreciate that.. or maybe one day your kids or grandkids will be inspired by your craftmanship and will start to appreciate the value. 😊
I sometimes use foil Coca-Cola, the phosphorus in the soda helps !
Wow
nice and smoot, greath work in your bike, is a prety ones like it >,< ...!
Thanks 😊
Well done👏🏻🇨🇦
Thanks! 😊
You have amazing skills. Where did you learn?
Thanks to other UA-camrs 😆
Nice restoration without spending $$$’s on re-chroming etc. 👍
And how! The thing with the aluminum foil & it's properties (aided with H²O) of reinvigorating chrome? I'm'a try that fo' sho'! I guess Raliegh Choppers are a bit less common in the States, as compared with Schwinn Krates & Sting Rays... I'll get at you when I've various & sundry examples of all of them. May the Force Be With You.
I also got one of this during my primary school, still remember the front bird badge. Always racing with bmx after school, the winning point is all inside the gear box.
One thing weird about this bicycle's colour, some of my friends say it is orange colour, some say red. For me it just like 45% orange mix with 55% red(I am not colourblind). Untill now all my motorbikes and cars are red colour, probably influenced by this bicycle. :)
*Thank you for the sweet memories, thank you.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy it while mesmerising the old time memories of yours 😉
Now is time to 2.0 restorations. Sandblasting, air compresor painting, print decals, chrome parts, etc.
😁
Only trouble leave it a year be all rusted again !
Appreciate your work, Great job. But please fast-forward unscrewing and fastening scenes a bit faster so that video can be chrisp and interesting. Long way to go.. All the best champ 🎉
Thanks! Noted on the feedback 😊