The History of Custom Choppers

A chopper is an essential machine. Remove any unnecessary components like a windshield, front fenders, crash bars, etc., and get a lighted, streamlined bike. Today the business and culture of custom choppers and bobbers is thriving. But where did it begin?

After World War II, returning soldiers were unhappy with the mass-produced motorcycles that were available in the United States. While stationed in Europe, they had seen bikes that were lighter and faster. These veterans spent time with like-minded friends, and the idea of chopping was born.

First came, the bobbers, where the fenders were removed or shortened to reduce the weight and improve the appearance from a chopper’s perspective. Although changes and improvements were being made continuously, the biggest change came after the movie Easy Rider catapulted choppers to fame in 1969. Suddenly, talented designers replaced backyard mechanics as the chopper craze grew. Rather than have the mechanical prowess to do the work themselves, bikers could express their ideas to a designer and his team, who would create a custom chopper.

Following the rise of the chopper, customizing and the Kustom culture also became popular. Artists began creating designs on bikes to display the rider’s personal life philosophy. Choppers and customized bikes have been streamlined into one product, as riders seek minimalist simplicity of a chopper with the personal expression of customized design details.