:)When I was 14 [in 1986] I'd saved up enough money from my paper round to buy a new 10 speed racing bike....a Raleigh Routier. Anyone remember those? It was red and white and had white handlebar tape. I remember being very proud riding it home from the cycle shop after handing over the £139 I'd saved.
Unfortunately I don't have any pics, but I thought I'd share some of my memories with you regarding the modifications I made.
I made a dasboard out of an icecream box which incorporated a speedometer, a clock, and warning lamps for the lights and indicators! It thankfully looked better than it sounds from the description!
The lights were the standard battery powered type. I added rechargeable batteries and fitted and wired up a dynamo to keep them charged while on the move. The same dynamo also charged the batteries for the indicators. The idea was to have the ability to have lights while stationary without the cost of buying batteries every week. It worked brilliantly!
At the rear of the bike was a rack and a set of panniers for luggage.
Perhaps the maddest of my modifications was the trailer! I started my apprenteship at 16 at an Austin-Rover dealer. I often used to fix peoples cars at home at the weekend and needed a way of getting my toolbox home. [Too young to drive as I was 16]. So...being the stubborn type I used to tow my wooden trailer loaded with a Snap On toolbox back and forth to work 4 miles each way with my prized Raleigh Routier!
I've always been a bit odd and eccentric, and as my fleet of old rear engined Skoda's and Bugrat proves.....I haven't got any less mad! ;D
Unfortunately I don't have any pics, but I thought I'd share some of my memories with you regarding the modifications I made.
I made a dasboard out of an icecream box which incorporated a speedometer, a clock, and warning lamps for the lights and indicators! It thankfully looked better than it sounds from the description!
The lights were the standard battery powered type. I added rechargeable batteries and fitted and wired up a dynamo to keep them charged while on the move. The same dynamo also charged the batteries for the indicators. The idea was to have the ability to have lights while stationary without the cost of buying batteries every week. It worked brilliantly!
At the rear of the bike was a rack and a set of panniers for luggage.
Perhaps the maddest of my modifications was the trailer! I started my apprenteship at 16 at an Austin-Rover dealer. I often used to fix peoples cars at home at the weekend and needed a way of getting my toolbox home. [Too young to drive as I was 16]. So...being the stubborn type I used to tow my wooden trailer loaded with a Snap On toolbox back and forth to work 4 miles each way with my prized Raleigh Routier!
I've always been a bit odd and eccentric, and as my fleet of old rear engined Skoda's and Bugrat proves.....I haven't got any less mad! ;D
