Chopper Central

NEXT! 😂🤣 Chris’ next restoration has arrived with us and is going to test us a little. We do love a challenge though.
ChopperCentral.co.uk “They’re only original twice!” 😉

Paul’s bike arrived with us in boxes, as the restoration was planned over 5 years ago. As with most restorations we undertake, Paul had made the decision to make sure that it was restored once and restored properly. Our chrome is always triple-plate and produces the desired finish that Paul was looking for. We also swapped a set of reproduction handlebars for originals and even found a set of the correct, mint, short-reflector pedals, for the crowning the glory. Thank you for trusting us with your project Paul.
ChopperCentral.co.uk - “They’re only original twice!” 😉

Chris’s bike arrived with us early in June, so this has been a quick restoration. The 1970 MK1 has been returned to its original Golden Yellow, which looks stunning in the sunshine. Most of the original parts have been restored and the chrome parts re-chromed to perfection. The seat was too far gone to save (upholstery prongs heavily corroded and snapped off), so we treated the bike to one of our own Premium Seats, with cover supplied by Niven. We found a set of original slide-in brake blocks, to fit in to the re-chromed carries and also used NOS ribbed brake cables and fittings. Thank you for trusting us with your Chopper Chris - a very satisfying restoration!
ChopperCentral.co.uk - “They’re only original twice!” 😉

It’s not just show restorations, here at Chopper Central - we help were we can! Matthew’s RSW arrived with us with the top inch of fork thread snapped-off and with the uniquely-strange original Raleigh Factory handlebar locking system, that meant that the bike was un-rideable. We replaced the top section of the fork tube, with new threads and now it’s as good as new. We also took the opportunity to replace the MK2 front rim that was on it, with a newly-restored original. Thanks for trusting us with your bike Matthew.
ChopperCentral.co.uk

Mark’s Raleigh Chopper SE has been his from new, so it was only right that we returned it to ‘as-new’ condition, so it can be enjoyed for another 50 years. Launched to celebrate the 750,000 sales of the Raleigh Chopper, the SE was launched in 1976. Some refer to it as the silver jubilee, but it did come a year earlier than the Queens 25th year on the throne. All original parts have been restored and the seat repaired in a few very minor areas. The main frame itself was in pretty poor state, so 4 new tubes were used, plus the seat bracket re-done, as well as the stand fitting end re-shaped. It’s great to save the iconic bikes. Thank you for trusting us with your project Mark.
ChopperCentral.co.uk
- “They’re only original twice!” 😉

Somewhere in the world, there is a set of Miss-matched left-hand, long reflector MK2pedals, as I have the set of right-hand ones. Some chump sold me them as a pair and I didn’t unwrap them. Does anybody have a nice left-hand pedal that thecould sell me, or swap for a right-hand? Thanks in advance. Paul

Like his MK2 5-Speed Pinky, Mitchelle brought to us, his MK2 UV had also need treated to a similar level of restoration, which didn’t match Mitchelle’s desire. So again, we striped and restored every part that was sub-standard, which has resulted in another great one saved. Thanks again for trusting us with your projects Mitchelle.
ChopperCentral.co.uk - “They’re only original twice!” 😉

Paul’s and Mark’s SE frame sets looking much more presentable now. We find silver the hardest colour to pull-off, on a 50 year-old frame set, as they always seem to be more pitted. Maybe it’s something to do with the original paint application? Paul is building his bike himself, but Marks is a full build here and I will post some completed shots over the next few days. Thanks for trusting us with your projects guys.
ChopperCentral.co.uk - “They’re only original twice!” 😉

Mitchelle’s MK2 5-Speed Pinky came to us previously restored, but wasn’t to his liking or standard. The colour was a little off and not that well executed, but some re-chromed parts were OK. The frame set itself was really corroded and pitted, so went back and forwards to the paint shop for more and more high-build primer, until we were satisfied with the preparation. A new old stock derailleur was sourced from over the pond, as the original one was too far gone to save. All parts that needed it were re-chromed, with the finished bike ready for its next chapter. Thank’s trusting us with you bike Mitchelle. A very satifying build.
ChopperCentral.co.uk - “They’re only original twice!” 😉

A ‘Pinky’ and a ‘Blacky’. Laurence was never enamoured with the only factory paint option of the 5-Speed Raleigh Chopper MK2, so we have gone in a different direction. It will wear standard factory prismatic decals, on the jet black paint. Mitchelle is sticking with the original colour, so it will be nice to see these side-by-side, later this week.
ChopperCentral.co.uk “They’re only original twice!” 😉