what is a chopper to you?
- Thread starter zoo-mon
- Start date
Mainah
Junior Member
I beg to differ, IMHO that's like saying that if it's not a deuce roadster with a flathead mill it's not a hot rod. But to your point Harleys were really the only bikes that needed to have lots and lots of extraneous parts chopped off and we all know that's where the term originated. When the WWII soldiers came home they started chopping up the old surplus bikes to race and ride. The chopper scene didn't go mainstream until 1969 whit the release of Easy Rider. That's what got a lot of us interested. The Brits and Japs were pretty clean to start with while the Harleys of the day had as much sheet metal as a small car. In the movie, The Wild One, Brando rode a chopper that just happened to be a Triumph.
Conolon Kid
Member
This is a chopper to me.
oakland river rat
Member
I think Easy Rider is the perfect example of what a chopper and a bobber is.
revok1200
Active Member
To me; A chopper is a bare bones sled. It has just what you need to get down the road and it may or may not have new parts, may be ridden daily or just when you want to show off.
The first one I built was in a 10x10 shed, and I cut the engine mounts from steel stock with a hacksaw and ground them to the proper shape by file and wheel. (not that this makes a chopper) Just an example that a good bike doesn't have to be bought, and can be made, even on a low budget.
The first one I built was in a 10x10 shed, and I cut the engine mounts from steel stock with a hacksaw and ground them to the proper shape by file and wheel. (not that this makes a chopper) Just an example that a good bike doesn't have to be bought, and can be made, even on a low budget.
I disagree with you. Back in the day a chopper is what ya chopped in your garage or in my case in the back yard, with what ya had. But the main choppers that stood out back then were Harleys and Triumphs.
Even though I took my chops further than just stripping the scoot of what it had. I made stuff or reused things from another to make it different. The gas caps on the triumph above. Are the center hub sections of old Buick hub caps. The tail-lite is the bottom section of a 1978 Plymouth tail-lite that I mounted up-side-down. It was as close as I could get to the tombstone tail-lite. The rear fender is a harley dresser front fender.
glyd-n
Junior Member
What he said.
globetrotter
New Member
The Easy Rider movie was the start of a lifelong yearning to own a 'real' chopper.And of course it had to be a Harley,nothing else would have cut the mustard as we Brits say!
It wasn't until last year that my dream from the 70's came true with the purchase of a custom built hardtail chopper,not built by me,but built in a guy's garage over a period of 2-3 years.
I agree it's not that practical for everyday riding and the hardtail is murder on my back on these Belgian roads,and you need those forty acres just to turn it around!
But it's gorgeous,upside down forks,21" front wheel,260 wide rear,low seat,high neck and..............chrome everywhere
.............and loud!
It wasn't until last year that my dream from the 70's came true with the purchase of a custom built hardtail chopper,not built by me,but built in a guy's garage over a period of 2-3 years.
I agree it's not that practical for everyday riding and the hardtail is murder on my back on these Belgian roads,and you need those forty acres just to turn it around!
But it's gorgeous,upside down forks,21" front wheel,260 wide rear,low seat,high neck and..............chrome everywhere
.............and loud!
trike lady
Junior Member
In my opinion a waste of a perfectly good antique motorcycle.
Cafe racers are another.
Pristine vintage bikes are hard to find and collectors usually scoop them up.
Cafe racers are another.
Pristine vintage bikes are hard to find and collectors usually scoop them up.