Header

Header
Showing posts with label sprint GT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sprint GT. Show all posts

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Ugly Duckling


1971 Raleigh Chopper Sprint GT


A rare bird, she is. Purchased by a fellow collector from an old man, who stubbornly held his price knowing her rarity, this Sprint GT is only one of a handful left in Singapore.

I took a year to complete this refurbishment project. She now has mostly new-old-stock parts - seat, shifter, pedals, crankset, redline tires, front rim, brakes set, re-chromed mudguards and about 25 coats of automotive wax on her frame. A money pit, but it gives me such a kick to know how rare this baby is!

Like in the UK, far fewer Sprint GTs were sold in Singapore compared to the regular Mk1 and Mk2 Choppers. Many had their handlebars swopped out for ape hangers to make them more palatable to buyer. I am lucky the original owners had the good sense to keep the 'rams horn' drop bars!