Choppers

• Choppers are modified motorcycles. The name derives from the idea that the biker chops off the excess parts of the bike to modify it for speed and style. The most noticeable components of choppers are their long frames, low seats, and large rear tires. The frame extends from the neck to the rear wheel. To reduce the weight of the bike, front fenders, crash bars and other parts are chopped off. Also, the headlights, gas tanks and blinkers are made smaller.
  
  

War Veterans

• During World War II, motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons were mass produced to help in the war effort. Soldiers were selected and taught the mechanical skills to repair and operate the bikes that they would take home with them after the war. After returning home, the skills were used to customize American bikes like those they had seen overseas. In "Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers and Customs" Billy Lane writes, "These were the sports bikes—the crotch rockets—of the day, ridden by racers, stunt riders, and badass bikers alike."
  
  

Rise of the Bikers

• The term "bikers" also emerged with the return of war veterans who would congregate with fellow soldiers they had befriended during the war. According to Choppers.com, "Upon returning from World War II, soldiers seemed dissatisfied with the motorcycles that were being built by Harley-Davidson and Indian." These early versions were called "bobbers." Even though there were no parts shops, there was plenty of excess from overbuilding during the war to experiment on to get the faster, lighter and sleeker appeal of those European bikes.
  
  

An Industry is Born

• The surplus of motorcycles that could be stripped for parts inspired creativity and a new brand of motorcycle mechanics. Choppers continued to evolve over the next two decades. The 1969 Dennis Hopper movie helped popularize customization. In response, according to Harley-Davidson, it introduced its first cruiser, "the FX 1200 Super Glide®, which combined a sporty front end (similar to that of the XL series) with the frame and powertrain of the FL series." More Chop shops sprang up.
  
  

Resurgence

• In a Motorcycle USA article, "History of Chopper Motorcycles," Bryan Harley writes, "The term 'choppers' saw resurgence in the 1990s, albeit with a different interpretation." He says younger customizers were pushing the back wheels further out and rear fenders were added for unique paint jobs. In the 2000s, reality television introduced the phenomenon to the mainstream public again through shows like "American Chopper" and "Orange County Chopper" depicting motorcycle customization shops from both coasts.