chopper bicycles why were they called choppers?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ajmustee
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ajmustee

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Back in the old days, guys would just take stock bikes and 'chop' them up and make them into the custom machines that they wanted. Nowadays, so called "choppers" are actually purpose built from the ground up to resemble an actual "chopper".
 
It started in the fifties with motorcycles, chopping is the act of modifying the frame, front end and removing parts to make a bike as "stripped down" as possible to affect handling and reduce weight to improve response. These days most people think that if you change the color or add chrome it's a chopper/bobber or a "custom", it just shows how ignorant the uninformed really are. I know, I have a 1948 Harley Panhead chopper, it has 8 inches added to the backbone, 4 inches added to the lower legs, rigid frame that's lowered, 38 degrees in the gooseneck and 12 inches over on the springer, strictly kick-start, no battery, a Joe Hunt magneto with just enough wiring to handle the engine and front and rear lights, no signal lights, no speedometer or tach, no mufflers and no front brake or front fender, that's a chopper. Get the idea ? I hope this helps you buddy !
 
Because you have to "chop" the frame , and either add to or remove part of the frame .
At least that is the way you make one .
Manufacturers make chopper style bikes , but they are not true choppers because they have not been modified .
 
I believe it is because of the length of the saddle, a phallic reference to the male genitals.
 
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