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No one knows who exactly built the first choppers, but it is generally agreed upon that they were built by soldiers returning home from WWII. Soldiers who had ridden bikes in Europe found that the Harleys being produced in the US were slow and bulky, something that is still true today. In an effort to lighten these bikes up the riders started to remove unnecessary parts and “bob” the fenders. Had the European motorcycles been readily available in America I believe that these bikers might have abandoned Harley right then and we would have a completely different biker scene than what we have today.

These early modified bikes were called Bobbers and the term Choppers actually didn’t get popular until the sixties and early seventies. Most sources reference the movie Easy Rider as the start of the cultural phenomena, but national news about the antics of the Hells Angels certainly had the image of the biker outlaw already fixed in the public’s eye, a much badder version than we saw in the movie The Wild One from 1953. Continue reading ‘History Of Choppers As I See It’ »

No one knows who exactly built the first choppers, but it is generally agreed upon that they were built by soldiers returning home from WWII. Soldiers who had ridden bikes in Europe found that the Harleys being produced in the US were slow and bulky, something that is still true today. In an effort to lighten these bikes up the riders started to remove unnecessary parts and “bob” the fenders. Had the European motorcycles been readily available in America I believe that these bikers might have abandoned Harley right then and we would have a completely different biker scene than what we have today.

These early modified bikes were called Bobbers and the term Choppers actually didn’t get popular until the sixties and early seventies. Most sources reference the movie Easy Rider as the start of the cultural phenomena, but national news about the antics of the Hells Angels certainly had the image of the biker outlaw already fixed in the public’s eye, a much badder version than we saw in the movie The Wild One from 1953. Continue reading ‘History Of Choppers As I See It’ »

Today the streets are full of imported bikes that come equipped with many advanced mechanisms and accessories. The seasoned bikers are spoilt for choice in the segment for cool mini choppers. The passion and thirst for them can be seen as more people wish to own them. With continuous research and feedback from buyers one can now hit the streets legally with mini choppers. They are available in the global market. To look at they are an eclectic mix of aesthetics and functionality. These are similar to the gas powered scooter where the driver doesn’t need a license for bikes below 50cc. They come in two and four stroke with engines ranging from 50cc to 250 cc delivering a top speed of 70 mph. These figures are almost similar to that of a normal bike. Street legal scooters are gaining good recognition from the public. They have become a preferable two wheeler choice in many countries. Currently the scooters sold are street legal mini choppers and are popular in almost all states of the U.S.

If a buyer exercises caution one can make a good investment and a proper street legal mini chopper will last for longer time. While buying a bike or a scooter, be sure that it has complied with the requisites of the DOT and it has been approved by the EPA. That is the first legal step that you take. A street legal scooter can be used in small lanes and highways for daily transportation. It can be used only in a few states without the driving license. The legal scooter must also have an original certificate and should be registered correctly, particularly after it is bought from the showroom. However, it also needs to be insured from a recognized against accidents and robbery. Such bikes can be utilized when the fuel prices rise higher. Instead of using the car, one can ride the street legal bike and save costs.

Continue reading ‘Street Legal Mini Choppers – Hit the Streets legally!’ »

Yes, a custom chopper motorcycle can cost you but the end result — the speed, grace, form and beauty of the bike — more than make up for all your troubles. Why throw it all to waste and let wear and tear set in? After all, prevention is still better than cure, particularly when it comes to mechanical systems. Learn the basics of proper maintenance for your custom chopper motorcycle with these tips:

Perform regular checkups
Some of the most common problems on custom chopper motorcycles that cost money to fix involve the body of the bike. On regular intervals, check parts such as tires, brakes, cables, chain case, seals, drive belt, hydraulic lines, fittings, lights, spark plugs, battery and brakes. The earliest signs of damage and wear and tear can be noted through simple visual and tactile observation.

Continue reading ‘Maintenance Tips for Your Custom Chopper Motorcycle’ »

A motorcycle is not only a cool, sporty ride, it can also be a very convenient and fast way of commuting. If you’re in the market for a motorcyle, chances are you will find yourself faced with at least a dozen choices. Most major manufacturers of motorbikes come out with at least one new model of their popular series each year and as consumer choices widen, so does confusion on your part. How to choose what type of motorcycle is right for you? Here are four types of motorcyles to choose from:

Know your motorcyle
There are several types of motorcycles you can choose from. These are:

The Scooter
The scooter is an excellent choice for the inexperienced or younger rider. They are built smaller and have lighter engines. They are the most convenient type of motorcyle you can buy, quite portable and practical. Maintenance-wise, they are also the least complicated — very ideal for the novice driver or someone who doesn’t want a high-maintenance unit.

Continue reading ‘Buying a Motorcyle? Which Type is Right for You?’ »