The Evolution of the Chopper

Ah...the turbulent time of the 60's and 70's. They brought us many cultural changes. Those of us who went through it remember so many different things about those times. One thing I remember is seeing a Chopper for the first time in the film Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda. Though the chopper came into being in the1960's and 1970's the idea started much earlier.

As American soldiers returned home from World War II those who were riders began to strip down their bikes to make them lighter. While they remained loyal to the Harley Davidson company, riders that had served oversees just weren't quite satisfied with the machines the company was producing.

Many of those GI's were trained to work on motorcycles and automobiles while in the service so it was only natural for them to want to make improvements. As they began to talk with each other about the changes an new kind of bike began to take form. Those bikes that were changed were called the "bobber". The bike designs were patterned after the bike they had seen in Europe that was more lightweight and more exciting.

One of the first things that were changed on the bike was the fender. They were shortened or even removed from the bike altogether. The front fender was usually removed completely, while the back fender was made short enough to just protect the passenger from mud and water thrown up by the rear tire. This is where the term bobber came from. Riders continued to make changes and customizing their bikes and eventually the "chopper" was born. Their original purpose was for dirt track racing.

The term chopper comes from the process of chopping. Riders began chopping off any part they felt was unnecessary. This included windshields, front fenders, big headlights, crash bars and big seats. The standard large footrests were replaced with forward-mounted foot pegs. The fuel tank was made smaller. This made the bike lighter.

But design changes didn't stop at just chopping. Riders began to change the angle of the front forks to its relationship to the ground thus increasing the wheelbase. Next thing they raised the handlebars calling them ape hangers. This changed the whole riding experience with the rider being able to lean back as it were on his chopper. Something that could not even be conceived of before that.

As the changes continued riders would get rid of anything they thought was too big or unnecessary or they made a smaller version of it. They made the front tire smaller while they made the rear tire fat. Exchanging ideas each rider created what he felt was the "perfect" ride.

It wasn't to long that this rage caught on. And not long after that enterprising individuals began designing and creating custom bikes to sell to other riders so they didn't have to do the work themselves. Then Harley Davidson began to design and build Choppers to sell to the general public. Even though trends ebb and flow over the years this one seems to have made a comeback in recent years. And now custom built choppers created by top designers are greatly prized and sought after.

The Shovelhead FX Super Glide was one such Harley Davidson model to come out of the chopper evolution. I am sure that today there is a "perfect" ride for every Harley rider out there. If you are one of those people I wish you happy riding.