Custom Chopper Motorcycles...

Popular Custom Choppers

Custom choppers motorcycles have been an on-road craze since they first came to light after World War II. Custom chopper motorcycles are a particular type of motorcycle that was radically customized to meet the owner's design needs and desires.

 
 

The History of Custom Chopper Motorcycles

What exactly is a custom chopper motorcycle? The term "chopper" originated from the practice of removing “chopping off” parts of a motorcycle that were deemed unnecessary or superfluous. This practice was started by Americans returning from World War II who were dissatisfied with the traditional look of American motorcycles produced by Harley Davidson or Indian.

In order to pare down the size and look of their American bikes, people began removing all parts deemed too big, heavy, ugly or not absolutely essential to the basic function of the motorcycle, like front fenders, a windshield, crash bars, and get a lighted, streamlined motorcycle. Other custom parts that you couldn't do without, such as seats, gas tanks and headlights, were deemed to be too large and were rebuilt to be as small as possible. These veterans spent time with like-minded friends, and the idea of chopping and the first choppers were born.

 

The Evolution of Custom Choppers

First home done customizations led to the rise of the "bobber". Motorcyclists bought up surplus military bikes and removed all the unnecessary motorcycle parts like windshields and saddlebags to minimise weight. Rear fenders were "bobbed" or shortened to reduce the weight and improve the appearance from a chopper’s perspective and front fenders were removed completely.

The biggest event in the history of chopper motorcycles was the release of the film "Easy Rider" in 1969, which catapulted choppers to fame. People saw these chopper bikes and decided they had to have them. These machines were no longer restricted to just chopping parts. People began creating their own choppers from scratch to suit their own individual attitude, style and taste. Custom chopper building became a serious industry and talented designers replaced backyard mechanics as the chopper craze grew.

Custom chopper motorcycles enjoyed a large resurgence in popularity in the late 1990s with companies like Jesse James West Coast Choppers and Orange County Choppers, producing extremely expensive chopper bikes and a wide range of chopper themed brands merchandise such as apparel, accessories and stickers. These custom chopper builders were inspired by the bikes in the film Easy Riders, and nowadays build some of the most beautiful motorcycles in existence. The effort and emphasis on design and style, and the combination between mechanics with beautiful artistry make custom choppers different from regular motorcycles.

A distinction should be noted between chopper-style motorcycles, and custom motorcycles. Despite the name, Orange County Choppers and West Coast Mini Choppers are better described as 'custom' and not chopper motorcycles.

 

Custom Mini Chopper Bikes

During the past few years, the custom mini chopper has become extremely popular. As some people found regular chopper motorcycles too expensive, they developed miniaturized replicas of these cool bikes. The love of custom chopper motorcycles combined with the new obsession for mini chopper bikes gave rise to the mini choppers trend, which are much more affordable than full size choppers.

When you see pictures of these custom mini chopper bikes it's difficult to tell that they're not full-size motorcycles without a reference, as they look like the full-size chopper motorcycles. Everything, in these mini choppers is designed to look exactly like a real chopper.

These last years mini bikes manufacturers have begun to produce “factory built” mini choppers, while some custom chopper builders have begun making mini choppers from scratch. These mini chopper bikes can be built in a small garage by anyone with some basic skills and specific instructions. By far the easiest way to build a custom mini chopper bike is from a mini bike kit. Like the full size custom choppers, creating a custom mini bike (from scratch or from a custom mini chopper kit) is not only a display of mechanics, but of your artistic talents.

Check this information on how to build your own custom mini chopper from a mini chopper bike kit.

 

More On Polular Custom Chopper Motorcycles...

Orange County Choppers - OCC Choppers are the most popular custom build choppers. Learn why everybody love them

Jesse James West Coast Choppers - Learn why West Coast Choppers (WCC), owned by Jesse James is one of the most popular Custom Chopper brands worldwide.

Mini Harley Choppers - A Tale of tradition

Custom Mini Chopper Kits
If you are interested in building a custom chopper, then you should consider shopping for custom chopper kits.

Custom Mini Chopper Frames
Free online guide with helpful information and tips on building custom mini choppers from mini bike parts.