A Chopper Is Born

Everyone loves choppers. They specifically became popular after World War II. Motorcycles are assembled with an array of parts, including the rather conservative fender. After World War II, veterans came home and decided to strip down their bikes to make them easier to ride. Aping their military motorcycles, the vets were quick to make their civilian bikes capable of racing in rough terrain. A typical civilian bike was laden with unneeded parts and accessories.

The veterans modified fenders, turn indicators, front breaks, and spring suspended saddles. The tires, headlights, and fuel tanks were all replaced with smaller and lighter options to reduce the weight of their bikes. The resultant bike was referred to as a chopped up motorcycle, that is, a chopper. These choppers became so fashionable; motorcycle manufacturers began to build chopper versions of popular models.

They were initially designed for riders looking for excitement on rough terrain. The modern versions, however, have been equipped with the very parts that the vets were eager to chop off. The emphasis on weight also seems to be a thing of the past as modern choppers seldom, if ever, ride on anything other than asphalt. From the rough and tumble to the corporate poser.

A proper chopper had its rake and trail, the axis where the forks and the wheel join, modified; creating that long, slanted look that is distinctive to the chopper. That look can also be a major cause for a number of accidents. The chopper is renowned as a difficult bike to ride, as most new riders are unaccustomed to the change of the rake and trail. Any riders who are not experienced could hurt themselves.

Before you have the misfortune of getting into a motorcycle accident, make sure your insurance is up to date. Insurance companies, even companies that insure typical motorcycles, do not always cover a tailored bike, like a chopper. You’ve got to know all the current motorcycle laws that pertain to your kind of bike. If your chopper takes a tumble, make sure you consult qualified motorcycle accident lawyers who will work with you to get results. Until then, get your motor running!

Brush up on your motorcycle law codes before cruising the open road. You never know when a little motorcycle law can go a long way.