Raleigh bomber klunkeresque

[was8v]

This place is weird

All the snobbery

Sometimes people on here with Kleins shoot down the midrange bikes and Saracens as not worthy

Now a bunch of people with mid range collections are shooting down an arguably more culturally important bike.

This has been dragged out of a shed, of course its rusty, of course its bodged together because teenagers had no money back then.

It's not catalogue correct or gleaming because bikes aren't as soon as they've seen some use. The catalogue correct thing obsession on here is just weird too.

I'd happily have this alongside a mint yo eddy. It's just as, if not more culturally important. I'd probably never properly ride either because all retro bikes are crap in some way compared to modern bikes.

 

[Shaznaz786]

This place is weird

All the snobbery

Sometimes people on here with Kleins shoot down the midrange bikes and Saracens as not worthy

Now a bunch of people with mid range collections are shooting down an arguably more culturally important bike.

This has been dragged out of a shed, of course its rusty, of course its bodged together because teenagers had no money back then.

It's not catalogue correct or gleaming because bikes aren't as soon as they've seen some use. The catalogue correct thing obsession on here is just weird too.

I'd happily have this alongside a mint yo eddy. It's just as, if not more culturally important. I'd probably never properly ride either because all retro bikes are crap in some way compared to modern bikes.

Agree wholeheartedly.
Wallhanger. Art piece.. for me.

 

[yakboy]

I reckon it needs all the moving bits replacing , new cables, tyres and a rear brake . Leave the patina and bring it along to...

Reyt-pack September 2022 (Downhill vintage rigid race Yorkshire style)

Now then... 'appen a few of thee might 'ave seen what our @yakboy is up to with his thread; https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/a-very-british-klunker.435203/ @yakboy Well my winter project is now incoming and it's a 1967 Triumph; @Peachy! "What's tha t'do with them like?" you may well...

www.retrobike.co.uk

And see what happens

 

[Synthiaks]

I'm already bidding on it.....

 

[yakboy]

I'm already bidding on it.....

Great stuff

 

[Synthiaks]

I'm already bidding on it.....

Definitely needs a rear brake.
I have a TA triple that would make it more USA clunkery...but actually its just art as it is....maybe in person its a POS and just a nice pic..

 

[was8v]

It does have a rear brake!

Does one not simply jamb their right foot against the tyre behind the seatstays to slow down on this kind of machine?

TBH I would just grease the BB and headset, the wheels are probably past it so swap those and the seat out, fit some brake pads and a rear brake and ride to the shop on it.

 

[greencat]

It's an oddity to me. There can't have been many kids with the ability or wherewith-all to make these conspicuously klunker style modifications back in the 80s, or get the inspiration to do so. Pre-internet you are probably talking some fairly specialist cycling mags/catalogues/books - obtained from where? The fork brace is particularly strange - I never saw one of these on a UK bike back then, never mind one that could be cannibalised to fit on another bike.

I'm thinking it's either a more recent hipster bodge or an adult who knew exactly what they were doing back then.

I knew a few kids with bombers back in the day and the level of customisation tended to be no more than stickers and cardboard/peg klackers.

 

[amoto65]

I was building full sized bikes with extended forks back in the 70s 26" back wheel with 20" front, banana seat, ape hangers and don't forget the handlebar tassels, There was always some back street lockup that would weld some forks or do frame mods.

 

[was8v]

It's an oddity to me. There can't have been many kids with the ability or wherewith-all to make these conspicuously klunker style modifications back in the 80s, or get the inspiration to do so. Pre-internet you are probably talking some fairly specialist cycling mags/catalogues/books - obtained from where? The fork brace is particularly strange - I never saw one of these on a UK bike back then, never mind one that could be cannibalised to fit on another bike.

I'm thinking it's either a more recent hipster bodge or an adult who knew exactly what they were doing back then.

I knew a few kids with bombers back in the day and the level of customisation tended to be no more than stickers and cardboard/peg klackers.

The only mods I'm seeing are:

It has an old seat on it
Its missing a rear brake and gear shifter and bomber bits like the spoke protector, chainring guard reflector etc.
It has a different fork and the brace
The headtube has a plate welded round it

Otherwise it's just missing bits.

I'll hypothesise and say it was ridden into a wall, which totalled the fork and made the headtube loose in the lug. The "gusset" plate was wrapped round and welded on and the fork replaced from whatever was laying around.

Its already been bid to far more than its worth, but I don't have a problem with that as a nostalgia trip for someone