In the last few years, the popularity of custom made, high dollar motorcycles has skyrocketed.  Custom V-twin powered choppers where no expense is spared and money is no object have hit the main stream, thanks in part to television shows featuring the works of West Coast Choppers and Orange County Choppers.  The custom parts market is overflowing with bolt on billet and chrome like never before.  This craze, while impressive to say the least, has cast a shadow on the original idea of the chopper itself.

After World War II, surplus motorcycles were plentiful and soldiers returning from the war bought these bikes up for a few dollars.  Many of these early “bikers” customized their rides not by adding accessories and equipment, but by removing unnecessary things. Front fenders were removed altogether and rear fenders were cut, or “bobbed”, which made them shorter.  Many bikers of the day took pride in the amount of equipment that they could remove from the motorcycle and yet still make it function.  This type of customizing evolved over the next 20 years into the chopper craze of the 1960’s where extended front ends, coffin tanks and other non factory items were added to motorcycles.