chopper bikes

The desire to make motorcycles lighter and faster helped fueled the chopper movement. It started not long after World War II. GI’s were returning from the war. Many had learned mechanical skills in the service, and had been exposed to the small, fast bikes coming out of Europe at the time. There was a surplus of big, heavy, utility-based motorcycles made for the war effort, meaning that there was a surplus of motorcycle frames, engines, and parts. The returning soldiers started stripping bikes down to the essentials. Front fenders were removed. Rear fenders were bobbed or stripped off, too. Fuel tanks shrunk, and exhaust systems were replaced for straight pipes. Smaller padded seats replaced wide leather, spring-supported seats. These ‘chopped’ up bikes were also referred to as ‘bobbers,’ and the thrill of riding these motorcycles fast supplanted the need for adrenaline many soldiers still had after returning from the war