| Motorcycles have been in vogue for a long time. | | | | Harley-Davidson and chop off all the bulky parts and |
| They are heavy machines which are rugged and | | | | remove, fit and weld lighter parts. This made the bike |
| heavy. Men have always liked riding motorcycles. | | | | lighter, faster and more maneuverable. These |
| Choppers - a type of motorcycle, has have been in | | | | choppers are now being made by big companies also. |
| existence since the end of the Second World War. | | | | This was initially the work of small motor bike shops |
| Why did the choppers come into existence? Soldiers | | | | which put together the various parts that the |
| who fought in the Second World War were used to | | | | customer wanted. So, it was custom made. Now |
| light motorcycles in Britain. They were fun to ride. | | | | many varieties of choppers are made by companies |
| They were dissatisfied Harley-Davidson, the company | | | | that are the big manufacturers. |
| which manufactured heavy motorbikes. They wanted | | | | These bikes also have to be built according to a set |
| something different. They made changes by | | | | of rules. They should be roadworthy and should be |
| removing certain parts that were heavy and which | | | | such that though the choppers are not heavy, they |
| made it look big and ugly. Fenders, front brakes, | | | | should be strong enough for using on roads. In the |
| windshields and turn indicators were removed. The | | | | United States the custom made choppers are given |
| saddle was originally large and was made small. The | | | | license to be used on the highway. Not many |
| whole bike was made convenient for dirt racing. The | | | | countries give them this license. |
| handle bars were higher than before. The front tire | | | | Choppers are now used the world over. Some prefer |
| was thinner and the back fatter. The large foot rest, | | | | using British or Japanese engines. These bikes are not |
| petrol tank and head light were made much smaller. | | | | restricted to be used by the big, burly, hefty guys. |
| They were generally made of black or shiny metal. | | | | Although war veterans and others were involved in |
| Their seats were low but the pillion seat was much | | | | its making, these bikes are used by anyone who |
| higher than that of the driver's. Some even removed | | | | loves bikes. The different shape and the size makes |
| the batteries and had a magneto to reduce the | | | | it great fun to drive these bikes. Since choppers are |
| weight of the bike. | | | | manufactured the world over, all types of people, big |
| The bike was transformed from the original. Not | | | | and small, use these custom made choppers. |
| everyone had the same type of bike. It could be | | | | The choppers are mainly for their shape, size and |
| custom made by the small shops that had sprung up, | | | | speed. Its shape can be custom made to suit |
| to satisfy each person's needs. They did not want to | | | | anyone's needs. So, it is not necessary that only big |
| leave the Harley-Davidson model. They changed the | | | | guys can ride it. Although the ride can be risky, the |
| original in such a way that it was a much lighter and | | | | high speeds definitely thrill the youngsters who love |
| fun bike to ride. These bikes are the choppers. | | | | their choppers. Anyone interested in riding the |
| The main aim was to get a rugged bike like | | | | chopper can do so. |