hippo girl 1,995 Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Alan Oakley died last week.....he was the local ( Bramcote ) designer of the iconic Raleigh chopper bike.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 RIP Alan. Thanks to his design I was kept in chips fags and booze for a few years! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OLDACE 196 Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I was sad to hear of Alan's death, I worked in the Cycle Design dept at Raleigh 1969-73 when the Choppers were going out the door in their tens of thousands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jackson 301 Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 I remember when Chopper bikes first came in; quite revolutionary. Everybody, that is kids - perhaps even adults - wanted one! RIP Alan, you gave joy to lots with your unique design. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Didnt the brake cables go through drilled holes in the frame? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dgbrit 258 Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 I thinkhe designed the Bond Bug also Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Didnt the brake cables go through drilled holes in the frame? No, it went along the crossbar under the gear shift. Incedentally he was born in Netherfield ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Oakley_(designer) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 The more I think about this I think there was a bike where the cables were inside the frame. Maybe someone can correct me. (Too many chips, fags and booze I think!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 I remember it to. And I dont smoke or drink. But I do like the odd chip now and again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beefsteak 305 Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 "The Grifter" (One of the first 'BMX' type bikes) had the rear break cable through the frame as the 'crossbar' was two thick (For strength) to attatch a cable to (Although the drilling of any hole in the frame would surely weaken the structural integrity !). I can't find a good picture of a 'Chopper' to see if that too went through the frame. I'm pretty sure it didn't as it had a thin cross bar to which the cable was easily attatched. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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