ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CLASSIC RALEIGH CHOPPERS BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO ASK
This is a 1970 model badged as a B.S.A.
A girls' version of the Chopper was available in the U.S.A.. It was available with a crossbar conversion and gearchange kit to convert it into a 'standard' model.
The following story from Dale Cramer helps with the history of the 'Girlie'
Attached is a pic of my wife's totally original Mk1 girly Chopper. This could be purchased in either 3spd or single speed coaster models. Both single and three speed bikes were available with coaster available were white, golden yellow, metallic blue and pumpkin orange.The seat on ALL girly Choppers was white with a black strap.The three speed bikes had unique shifter that was bolted to the handlebar stem locking nut.
We had both Mk1 and Mk2 Choppers available here in the States.But only Mk 1 girlies were produced. As of the end of 1973, the Chopper was outlawed though, due to a federal mandate making the top tube mounted shifter illegal! I guess too many kids were sterilizing themselves during wipeouts. So, we had the Mk1 from 1969 to 1972, and then the Mk2 for 1973 only. Although, I have seen many original 1974 Mk2's that spent their entire lives here in the States, so some must have "slipped" through after `73.
Attached is a pic of my wife's totally original Mk1 girly Chopper. This could be purchased in either 3spd or single speed coaster models. Both single and three speed bikes were available with coaster available were white, golden yellow, metallic blue and pumpkin orange.The seat on ALL girly Choppers was white with a black strap.The three speed bikes had unique shifter that was bolted to the handlebar stem locking nut.