![]() ![]() Motorcycles and automobiles ran at the same meets, and bobbers were an important part of the hotrod culture that developed in this era. ![]() In California dry lake beds were used for long top speed runs. These machines were lightened to improve performance for dirt-track racing and mud racing. The large, spring-suspended saddles were also removed in order to sit as low as possible on the motorcycle's frame. In the post–World War II United States, servicemen returning home from the war started removing all parts deemed too big, heavy, ugly, or not essential to the basic function of the motorcycle, such as fenders, turn indicators, and even front brakes. The large and well-appointed bikes exemplified the "dresser" motorcycle aesthetic and providing a counterpoint to the minimalist bobber, and café racers. 60s rigid sportster chopper series#Indian Scouts and Chiefs of the time came with extravagantly large, heavily valanced fenders, nearly reaching the center of the wheel on the luxurious 1941 Indian Series 441 while racing bikes had tiny fenders or none at all. ![]() The heavily valanced fenders of the 1940 Indian 440 four.Īn early example of a bobber is the 1940 Indian Sport Scout "Bob-Job" which toured in the 1998 The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition. Two famous examples of the chopper are customised Harley-Davidsons, the " Captain America" and "Billy Bike", seen in the 1969 film Easy Rider. The " sissy bar", a set of tubes that connect the rear fender with the frame, and which are often extended several feet high, is a signature feature on many choppers. Some of the characteristic features of choppers are long front ends with extended forks often coupled with an increased rake angle, hardtail frames (frames without rear suspension), very tall "ape hanger" or very short "drag" handlebars, lengthened or stretched frames, and larger than stock front wheels. ![]() They can be built from an original motorcycle which is modified ("chopped") or built from scratch. A chopper employs radically modified steering angles and lengthened forks for a stretched-out appearance. It’s a good look, and not the first time Benny has done this: Knucklebuster has featured an earlier Boneshaker build, a lovely Zero-style panhead.Peter Fonda rides a replica of the " Captain America" bike used in Easy RiderĪ chopper is a type of custom motorcycle which emerged in the US state of California in the late 1950s. The distinctive wheels are Harley hubs laced to rims that have been powdercoated in an unusual but very apt shade of oatmeal, and fitted with chunky Firestone tires. Benny fitted a new, one-off wiring loom and electronic ignition, and restored the engine cases and chrome with Scotch-Brite, of all things. It sits in a Flyrite Choppers Smokin’ Gun rigid frame, powdercoated satin black like the tank, and hooked up to stock Sportster forks that have been lowered two inches. The motor is from a 2003 Harley Sportster, upgraded to 1200 cc with Wiseco pistons. Benny built this bike to customer order the understated, monochrome look is nicely set off by a handtooled leather seat and matching grips, and those accented wheel rims. This time it’s the work of Benny Thomas, who runs Boneshaker Choppers in the Midlands. The small but perfectly formed vintage v-twin scene in the UK has thrown up another gem. ![]()
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