Chopper
A Chopper is a type of modified motorcycle (Chopped), to
have a greater, with fork launch angle more long, which gives it a battle and
advance larger than the other types of motorcycles. Usually has a longer handle
to the top, which gives it a position with the hands higher than the shoulders
of the pilot. It can be based on a production motorcycle or be created from
scratch. With respect to traditional motorcycles, the Chopper tend to be
lighter, have smaller fuel tanks, and its windshield, lights, fenders and seats
are smaller or were directly removed.
History
After the second world war, some motorcyclists from the
United States which had fought in Europe were unhappy with motorcycles in your
country (mostly Harley-Davidson and Indian), since the European were lighter
and fun driving. To improve its capabilities, and in the absence of any kind of
enhancement of motor kit, the former soldiers opted for the basics: cut and
remove ("to chop" or "to bob" in English) all the
unnecessary to the proper functioning of the bike to lose so weight and gain
speed. Thus was born the "Bobbers", naked motorcycle, no windshield,
backups, auxiliary headlamps, fenders, with minimal seating, trimmed fender and
often without front brake. The heavy and powerful little Harleys and Indians
thus became light and fun, motorcycle, which came to be used in racing. Some
Indian arrived at 200 km/h, which was a record for the time. (Burt Munro holds
the record for less than 1,000 cc in an Indian Scout 1920 300 km/hour).
At the end of the 60 are the "Choppers", which
differ from the "Bobbers" basically by a pitch from the fork
desmesurado and the bobbers with small seats and fewer unnecessary elements.
The high handlebars, called "cuelgamonos" (ape hangers) made its
appearance. Kilometric backups consist of a simple steel bar attached to the
rigid chassis were another feature of the "Choppers". The front tire
became thinner and the rear widest, adapting car tires. This made a motorcycle
style unique and adapted to each pilot, since each one decided just what I
needed to do to create your desired bike, most of the time experimenting with
colleagues in garages. Most "Bobbers" and "Choppers" of the
time had no battery; ignition was done with a magnet, and clutch was on foot,
while rates were passed by hand. This system was called clutch suicide (Suicide
Shift). Coupled with the absence of front brake, driving was by the less risky,
but fun, which was essential.
The business of the construction and modification of Harleys
appeared at the end of the 1980s. Talented designers began to build Choppers
and his work began to be most wanted. An individual no longer needed to do the
job by itself, only to express what he wanted a designer and he to the rest.
Arlen Ness was one of the first and more recognized, joining him a retinue of
companies that today inhabit the international scene of transformation and
customization. Appearing regularly on television and be stars
ultramediatizadas, we find Jesse James and his "West Coast Choppers"
company and the family with Orange County Choppers Teutul. Today the idea of a
"Chopper" has completely changed. The "do it yourself", has
given way to thousands of companies that provide parts and services to realize
the dream of the owner. Given the avalanche of empowerment of engine kits (a
Harley Davidson ready motor or a motor industry like in form and function, but
not in power, auxiliary, can reach figures up to 180 HP to displacements that
van up to the 2500cc), cut and remove parts to lighten the weight already is
more an aesthetic standard that a utility to gain speed.
A Chopper is a type of modified motorcycle (Chopped), to
have a greater, with fork launch angle more long, which gives it a battle and
advance larger than the other types of motorcycles. Usually has a longer handle
to the top, which gives it a position with the hands higher than the shoulders
of the pilot. It can be based on a production motorcycle or be created from
scratch. With respect to traditional motorcycles, the Chopper tend to be
lighter, have smaller fuel tanks, and its windshield, lights, fenders and seats
are smaller or were directly removed.
