Choppers, Bobbers and Racers, Oh My

by John Stumpner

Bikers have always preferred to follow their own style. Whether it’s how they dress or how they wear their hair, bikers like to express their independence and individuality. This expression of personal style is especially shown in the motorcycles they ride. Many bikers will go to extreme lengths to modify motorcycles to fit their personal style or their desire for better performance.

Since the early 1960’s, some bikers have been building and riding a style of motorcycle referred to as a chopper. Choppers typically have a longer front fork with a skinny front tire. The rear shock absorbers are usually removed, and the passenger seat rests on and follows the shape of the rear fender. The passenger backrest is often taller than the rider or passenger and called a “sissy bar.” The handlebars can be at a normal height, or close to the frame and called “drag bars,” or high off the frame and called “ape hangers.” These changes often require the frame be cut and re-welded or “chopped,” which is where the name “chopper” comes from. Choppers are usually painted bright colors, with lots of chrome, making them really stand out and get attention. The long front forks do affect driving, making them difficult to turn corners. This leads to the saying that choppers are hard to turn, but you sure look good doing it.

Starting in the late 1940’s, some bikers wanted to get their motorcycles to go faster. To accomplish this, they removed any parts they didn’t think were absolutely necessary, to make the motorcycle as light as possible. Bikers were removing any side panels, engine covers, turn signals, front fenders and front brakes to cut weight. The rear fender would be cut or “bobbed” to the shortest possible length, so this style of motorcycle was called a “bobber.” Since the owners of bobbers were more concerned with speed and performance than looks, these motorcycles were typically painted dull gray, brown, green or black.

In the early 1960’s, some bikers in Great Britain would race each other to various popular cafes around town. This led to the development of a style of motorcycle called a “cafe racer.” Cafe racers were made for fast rides over short distances. As with the bobbers, all unnecessary parts were removed. Handlebars, called “clip ons,” were mounted as close to the frame as possible. The passenger seat was sometimes replaced by an aerodynamic cover. The rider usually used the rear passenger foot pegs and would drive a cafe racer almost lying flat to reduce wind drag. The bikers in Great Britain that ride cafe racers have a couple of myths to go with their style. One is “riding for the ton,” in which the rider tries to hit 100 miles per hour in the short distance they are riding. The other is the “record race,” in which the rider attempts to ride from the cafe to another point and back before the song on the record player ends. It must be emphasized these are only fun to talk about myths, as both these stunts will get a biker thrown in jail.

These are only three of the many styles of motorcycles. No matter what style or type of motorcycle you ride, or will ride someday, ABATE of Wisconsin works to make sure you will always be able to enjoy the freedom of the road.

John