Nottingham's Raleigh bicycles have inspired generations of children to cycle, helped no doubt by a series of smash hit designs that became the playground style icons of their day. News that 1983's Tuff Burner model is going back on the market has put Raleigh back in the spotlight.
It wasn't just Nottingham's little ones tearing it up on their Choppers either. Millions across the country and the world have had a go on these legendary bikes, or seen their distinctive silhouettes racing down the streets.
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![Is there a more iconic bike design? A 1970 Chopper on the streets of Birmingham, being modelled as a competition prize.]()
Is there a more iconic bike design? A 1970 Chopper, being modelled as a competition prize.
![Little Dominic pumps up his Chopper's tyres for a school day in Birmingham, 1973.]()
Little Dominic pumps up his Chopper's tyres for a school day in Birmingham, 1973.
![The Raleigh Grifter that was the bridge between the Chopper and the Burner, on show in Brighton in the 80s.]()
The Raleigh Grifter that was the bridge between the Chopper and the Burner, on show in Brighton in the 80s.
![The RSW series of the 60s - "Raleigh Small Wheel".]()
The RSW series of the 60s - "Raleigh Small Wheel".
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![A Basford man cycles in on his Triumph to see the demolition of the factory where his bike was made.]()
A Basford man cycles in on his Triumph to see the demolition of the factory where his bike was made.
![The limited edition remake of the MK1 Super Tuff Burner, available for pre-order.]()
The limited edition remake of the MK1 Super Tuff Burner, available for pre-order
![The Raleigh Twenty, which outsold the little RSWs and was a Raleigh mainstay in the late 80s.]()
The Raleigh Twenty, which outsold the little RSWs and was a Raleigh mainstay in the late 80s.
![A young lady tries out a Chopper in the 70s.]()
A young lady tries out a Chopper in the 70s.
![Where the magic happened - Nottingham's Raleigh factory in 1960.]()
Where the magic happened - Nottingham's Raleigh factory in 1960.
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![A boy in Sunderland rides over a bridge on his Raleigh bike, 1975.]()
A boy in Sunderland rides over a bridge on his Raleigh bike, 1975.
![Actress Sheila Ruskin with one of the early Choppers, pictured in 1974.]()
Actress Sheila Ruskin with one of the early Choppers, pictured in 1974.
![Everyone wanted a go - 1970s.]()
Everyone wanted a go - 1970s.
![Slap a tiny engine on a RSW, and you get the Wisp - ever own one of these lightweight mopeds? London, 1967.]()
Slap a tiny engine on a RSW, and you get the Wisp - ever own one of these lightweight mopeds? London, 1967.
![12 year-old Robert Roylance tries out a Raleigh Mustang at a show in London, 1966.]()
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