- Joined
- Aug 19, 2023
- Messages
- 494
Since 2001 I have been involved with Raleigh Choppers as a natural progression from my interest in Raleigh Grifters.
After 19 years of involvement with the bikes as well as co-organising rideouts and helping advertising and carrying out duties at the UK National show for them, myself and a close friend were privately approached by Raleigh in 2020, to be a part of the design team for the then upcoming new model of the Raleigh Chopper, the MK-IV (Mark four). I can't go into specifics, though it did involve design work on the decals as well as other areas of the bike.
The upshot of this was that myself and my close friend were each gifted one of the brand new models at least 6 weeks prior to official launch.
Those were, are and will forever remain, the very first two ever to be in private hands, direct from Raleigh themselves. Frame numnbers have been noted in the Chopper register with those details added.
On top of that, I was offered the opportunity to purchase one of only two Paint sample R&D prototypes of the MK-IV. See below.
Used for Private PR work for the launch and real-world testing before VIP Soft launch, Official media launch or official sales launch.
Collecting the gifted bikes from Raleigh Eastwood HQ. May 2023. Ultra-Violet (Purple) one is mine, the Infra Red in the foreground belongs to my counterpart who was also working on and with the design team.
![1706757333658.png 1706757333658.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433684-d3b4812e92f9fb90ed1424970779058a.jpg)
Out on a Testing ride. Yes, that is a Concrete cow.
![1706757315227.png 1706757315227.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433683-7908715a62ae23cc4b941ea7ac667a84.jpg)
Given the opportunity to purchase this RN22 Paint Sample R&D Prototype, I leapt at it and have never looked back.
The only Infra-Red RN22 numbered Prototype MK-IV in existence. 1 of 1 colour, 1 of 2 RN22 numbered Prototypes.
Used as parts compatability test mule by the head designer.
RN22 Prototype outside "Experience Raleigh" centre in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham (Now closed. Open Dec 2022 - Dec 2023) on the day of collection.
![1706757551095.png 1706757551095.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433685-80ed3954856419441d47da5f788410a5.jpg)
RN22 Prototype sporting prototype long saddle post and sissybar extensions.
Just because it left the factory, does not mean the prototyping work is complete![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![1706757581489.png 1706757581489.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433686-1c5ed865c05c945375d0889bd3a067e8.jpg)
Being involved in this project was a privilege and one I am unlikely to forget as my own and my friends name are forever tied to the project and to the bikes themselves. Raleigh mentioned us by name in one of their (link >>>) web articles (see step 2 of that page) as well as the Wikipedia Article (<<< link) mentioning us both by name. Our involvement is played down in the Raleigh article as it was written by their blogger, not by anyone with any real knowledge on who did what within the design team.
After 19 years of involvement with the bikes as well as co-organising rideouts and helping advertising and carrying out duties at the UK National show for them, myself and a close friend were privately approached by Raleigh in 2020, to be a part of the design team for the then upcoming new model of the Raleigh Chopper, the MK-IV (Mark four). I can't go into specifics, though it did involve design work on the decals as well as other areas of the bike.
The upshot of this was that myself and my close friend were each gifted one of the brand new models at least 6 weeks prior to official launch.
Those were, are and will forever remain, the very first two ever to be in private hands, direct from Raleigh themselves. Frame numnbers have been noted in the Chopper register with those details added.
On top of that, I was offered the opportunity to purchase one of only two Paint sample R&D prototypes of the MK-IV. See below.
Used for Private PR work for the launch and real-world testing before VIP Soft launch, Official media launch or official sales launch.
Collecting the gifted bikes from Raleigh Eastwood HQ. May 2023. Ultra-Violet (Purple) one is mine, the Infra Red in the foreground belongs to my counterpart who was also working on and with the design team.
![1706757333658.png 1706757333658.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433684-d3b4812e92f9fb90ed1424970779058a.jpg)
Out on a Testing ride. Yes, that is a Concrete cow.
![1706757315227.png 1706757315227.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433683-7908715a62ae23cc4b941ea7ac667a84.jpg)
Given the opportunity to purchase this RN22 Paint Sample R&D Prototype, I leapt at it and have never looked back.
The only Infra-Red RN22 numbered Prototype MK-IV in existence. 1 of 1 colour, 1 of 2 RN22 numbered Prototypes.
Used as parts compatability test mule by the head designer.
RN22 Prototype outside "Experience Raleigh" centre in Maid Marian Way, Nottingham (Now closed. Open Dec 2022 - Dec 2023) on the day of collection.
![1706757551095.png 1706757551095.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433685-80ed3954856419441d47da5f788410a5.jpg)
RN22 Prototype sporting prototype long saddle post and sissybar extensions.
Just because it left the factory, does not mean the prototyping work is complete
![1706757581489.png 1706757581489.png](https://www.hobby-machinist.com/data/attachments/433/433686-1c5ed865c05c945375d0889bd3a067e8.jpg)
Being involved in this project was a privilege and one I am unlikely to forget as my own and my friends name are forever tied to the project and to the bikes themselves. Raleigh mentioned us by name in one of their (link >>>) web articles (see step 2 of that page) as well as the Wikipedia Article (<<< link) mentioning us both by name. Our involvement is played down in the Raleigh article as it was written by their blogger, not by anyone with any real knowledge on who did what within the design team.