Go to the Archive indexI have recently rebuilt several Raleigh RM machines and excellent machines they have all proved to be. I even took an RM6 to Montlhéry for use as a paddock bike. The RM8 & RM9 with the sprung forks are certainly the most comfortable, especially when fitted with the clamp arrangement for the handlebars, ie: you can alter their position by rotation.
You do not have this facility on the RM6 as you have push bike forks with the centre stem for the handlebars. Now, I am only 6ft tall (and perhaps a little overweight!) but I find the frame a little on the small side, especially when on full lock and manoeuvring in traffic. The handlebar ends are pulled back and constantly seem to be in contact with my knees. So on this restoration project I decided to make some alterations, and my problem was virtually resolved for me.
When on my weekly visit to a relative, I spied in a gateway, fly tipped, several old Raleigh bicycle frames and handlebars, etc, from the seventies, I think. I relieved the countryside of this refuse and on reaching home dismantled the frames. The chrome was in excellent condition and with a bit of cutting and shutting, I have what you see in the photographs. Maybe if Raleigh had kept going this could have been the Raleigh ‘Easy Rider Runabout’ no more knee knocking and it’s a lot more comfortable—and all for free!
First published, April 2004