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Chopper refers to a motorcycle that was radically customized, especially the Harley-Davidsons as seen in the 1969 movie Easy Rider. In California and Florida of the 1950s and 1960s, some motorcycle enthusiasts removed (chopped, stripped) all parts which were big, heavy, ugly or not essential to riding, like fenders and even front brakes.
Especially the large, suspended saddle was removed in order to sit as low as possible on the frame, which in most cases was a rigid "hard tail", as Harley introduced rear suspension in 1958. In Easy Rider, four former Police bikes were purchased at an auction, all of them early Harley-Davidson FLH 1200 Hydra Glide Big Twins, with the telescopic fork which was introduced in 1949.
Forward mounted foot pegs replaced the large foot rests. Also, the standard big front wheel, head light and fuel tank were replaced with tiny ones. Choppers were painted either in all black, or in shiny metallic colors, with many chromed parts. According to the taste and purse of the owner, high handle bars, stretched and raked front forks, aftermarket exhaust pipes were added. The law required a holder for the passenger, so vertical sissy bars were installed, often reaching above the head of the rider.
While the lower weight and lower seat position improved handling and performance, the main reason to build a hard and tough Chopper was to show off and provoke others by riding a machine that was stripped and almost nude compared to the soft full dresser standard Harleys, yet alone the oversized automobiles of that time. Unlike suggested in Easy Rider, a Chopper was hardly suitable for long distance travelling (without the support of a movie crew), due to the short range and total lack of comfort.
Modern versions of Choppers based on high powered Japanese sports bikes are called naked bikes or street fighters. Here, the plastic fairing and the passenger seat get removed, and the very low handles get replaced by a somewhat higher handle bar that allows a more upright sitting position for drag races within cities.
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