A chopper is a type of custom motorcycle that originated in California during the late 1950s. Known as the most extreme of custom styles, choppers often feature radically modified steering angles and lengthened forks, giving them a distinctive stretched-out look.
These motorcycles can be created by modifying (“chopping”) an existing bike or building one from scratch.
Key characteristics of choppers include long front ends with extended forks, often paired with an increased rake angle, and hardtail frames (frames without rear suspension).
They may also have very tall “ape hanger” handlebars or very short “drag” handlebars, elongated or stretched frames, and larger-than-stock front wheels. A notable feature on many choppers is the “sissy bar,” a set of tubes connecting the rear fender to the frame, often extended several feet high.
Perhaps the best known choppers are the two customized Harley-Davidsons, the “Captain America” and “Billy Bike”, seen in the 1969 film Easy Rider.
Kickass or badass—whatever you wanna call these tough biker ladies—here’s a selection of 25 vintage photos of young women with their easy rider choppers.
