All kinds of factory choppers out there from Big Dog and OCC to the Honda Fury. too many inbetween to list, but the old timers say you don't buy a chopper you build it so no factory chopper is a real chopper.
Whats your opinion? What is a real chopper?

 

I tend to agree with the people who say you have to chop it yourself, but then, in the best case they will end up looking like the big dogs anyway.

 

I say if it fits the description of a "chopper" (stripped to just the necessities) then it is a chopper. If it is done by hand, yeah i think that is cooler but not everyone has the talent, tools, time, ect.. to do it.

 

If you have the means to build it then go for it, if you have the means to buy it then go for it. Just be sure you ride it once you have it

 

Just my simple view.

In 1972 I took a 1958 Triumph Trophy 650 and chopped off the rear suspension and welded on a hardtail. I fabricated a new front axle and installed a front wheel from a Jap bike (skinny, don't remember the size) and spooled up a Harley rim onto my rear hub. I also did a bunch of other stuff.

That's a chopper.

When the factory calls their model a "Chopper", I listen politely, but my inclination is to call it a "Custom".

 

A Chopper has come to mean a raked motorcycle. Originally it meant literally chopping (cutting out) and rewelding the front end to a desired angle, length, etc.

 

That's what we considered choppers in the '70s. I consider bikes like that now customs.

 

Who cares? Let the owners/builders call it what they want.

 

Chopped and raked, that's a chopper I thought. The new stuff I think is a custom.

 

Sorta like wondering if you're a biker.