Hunting Harleys chopper bars, the why it happened

[@Junior-fd8ux]

This is why i love your channel. Im 34 and had no idea that's how they derived and prob never would have if you hadn't enlighten me. Thanks Todd

[@HuntingHarleys]

I'd of never known either if my buddy who lived it hadn't of clued me in. By the time I started riding, these bikes were long out of style. Even long fork chops were a rarity

[@rorykamryn3923]

i know I am kinda off topic but do anybody know of a good site to watch new tv shows online?

[@darrenalexis3488]

@Rory Kamryn ehh I watch on flixportal. You can find it on google=) -darren

[@benmiller5015]

Good piece of history thanks for taking the time to educate everyone

[@oscarornelas6619]

Badass man keep bringing the old school stories we need to keep the flame lit and the younger guys like myself schooled. Gracias 🙏

[@MidwestCoupe]

Thank you Todd for the education. Love hearing about the history

[@robertrodriguez2412]

Todd thanks for sharing all your knowledge. Love to hear stories like that. You can hear your passion through your voice. You should seriously consider writing a book.

[@calvinhobbes7504]

Geez, Todd .... getting old sucks .... In 1979, I thought the law (in Virginia) was 2" above the risers but I must be mistaken .... I had an FXE in those days and it had installed pullbacks that were in compliance, but I would tilt them forward because it was more comfortable ... but it was just outside the 2" mark. Never got a ticket (knock on wood) (for the handlebars, that is) :-) Man, I miss those old days .... your videos are quite a comfort for this old man. Thanks, sir!

[@HuntingHarleys]

A way to remember for many

[@billvandyne4685]

I began ring a chopper back in 1967 in NY and the original style for most chops was ape hangers. Then they passed a law stating that the handlebars could not be higher than 15" when measured from the lowest point on the seat. The style then shifted from apes to drag bars or low Z bars with varying length risers. The first year I rode that bike, I was stopped about 22 times!

[@spencerisom4541]

Thank you sir for the knowledge. Much appreciated If information like this is not passed down it will be lost.

[@BeardOperator]

Thanks for taking the simple time to explain that, I’ve wondered about that for years.

[@tylerofviolence]

Thank you as always for the education and your wisdom into the culture and the outlaw underworld for general motorcycle guru. Hope you are strong and doing well Todd. MLLH&R old friend.

[@dinkeredwards5187]

Thanks Todd...i love this frickin channel.....always educating me with Real life knowledge,,,Thanks man

[@greggmc2]

I remember those choppers. My neighbor had a panhead in the early 70s stretched and raked. Interesting about the bars. I can see where Harley got the idea for the buckhorn bars. I like the stories from the 80s since I'm from that era too. I couldn't afford a Harley back then but those guys would let me ride with them. Good times

[@TibMoth7701]

Thank you @Todd. Love your youtube channel. 😄

[@seanangelo1288]

Fantastic explanation! And I learned something! And besides the fact that I have 16" Apes on my 07 Softail, that bike there gives me inspiration. I love those old school choppers that I'm trying to do a modern rendition on my bike. Thank you again!

[@sheamatheson560]

I love you're history lessons man. I always thought that style was for comfort on long rides.

[@rowlinstoned3715]

Thats a cool tid bit! I like hearing stories like why, how and all that when it comes to choppers and bikers from the day

[@thebuffbeatnik8848]

28 years old here, love this channel 😎👍

[@davidsnow2420]

Got a ticket in '89 from New Jersey State Police for "improper height of handlebars"-- 12" apes on 4" risers. It was Memorial Day weekend, rode from Brooklyn to North Georgia, 950 miles in one day. 93" 1982 Shovel with Morris mag in a 1951 wishbone frame (that I bought the year before for $450!)--- ran the pogo seat and could ride all day. Another 950 mile day back to Brooklyn. Got searched by the NJ troopers for an hour before they decided to give me a ticket for the apes.

[@602VL]

I started riding Harley choppers in Phoenix in 68. I was 18. Constantly stopped, harassed, and ticketed. Had so many tickets that I ended up doing time on a City work farm to pay off my fines at 6 dollars a day for labor. Still ride and things are a whole hell of a lot better now.

[@CM-ut3wy]

Hey Todd thanx sharing your tale; down here in Costa Rica have many issues with my chopper style t-bar

[@wilburross9709]

I agree with your explanation. The only reason cops became concerned about high handlebars was because of the people that enjoyed running them. It was something that was easy to spot, they could claim it was a "safety issue" (to convince the law-makers) and then go fishing for anything else they could find after they had you pulled over. Think about it: when else have cops been so concerned about our safety when riding a motorcycle? Only when it comes to protecting ourselves from our high handlebars!

[@calvinhobbes7504]

I don't remember seeing too many bikes running buckhorns where the bar down-tubes are exactly in line with the fork. When I rode, usually guys would move them up. Nice to see this bike with handlebars that line up. I always ran that way ... maybe because I have a short reach .... it just seemed more comfortable to me and I thought it looked better.

[@RockpileRanter]

Thank you for answering a question I didn't know the answer to and didn't want to ask and look stupid. Digg'n your channel brother!!

[@johncallison5262]

i love your vids and history

[@davidduner9562]

Thanks for taking the time to put the video up.

[@jefferythomas4414]

They did the same around Philly in the 90's when my time came. You couldn't ride through certain towns without being pulled over. Shit, I remember one 4th of July a buddy and myself being pulled over by PA State police twice. The bitch is it was the same guy!!! He got us headed South then headed North on the same road going home. Got me for no baffles and no inspection headed South. Got me for Unapproved eye protection and a non DOT helmet headed North,,LOL.

[@jonnysl6560]

Great to See You again Todd , Nice Bike , Best Wishes from Scotland

[@Brandflake]

Absolutely love rabbit ear bars. Have them on my evo chop.

[@aaronsalinas518]

I had my guy make custom buckhorn bars that have some bunny ears pullback like these. Cool to know the history.

[@eddiebolt5781]

Check out the life magazine article when they rode with the H.A. from San Bernardino to Bakersfield. You’ll see those cops pulling them over and shaking them down. And you’ll see some bikes of the era.

[@garythorsell5061]

Thanks great information a blast from the past

[@chopperchopster]

My uncle is retired Sons Of Silence MC and used to have a shop in Branson Missouri . He lives here in Phx now and has a garage full of stuff. I keep eyeballing these crazy 6 bend handlebars that are hanging up. They seem to have the same purpose as what you describe in the video. Now I know .

[@chopperchopster]

@Marshall Taylor OH another internet warrior My uncle did two tours of duty in Vietnam was a helicopter door gunner and was shot down 3 times. He aint no punk but you are dude. Ya got a lot to say about club guys when your using a key board . I bet you never say a thing to anyones face though. Im just a regular guy who builds and rides ol skool chops and restores stuff too. Most of my friends are patch holders here in Phx. Red and White . retired Dirty Dozen. Stand up guys.

[@bikesandacreage8885]

Great info !

[@ryancadwallader9933]

Stories are awesome bro

[@mfreund15448]

Thanks for the explanation Todd!

[@DanTheFordFixer]

Cool, my two buddies both love those "buckhorn" style bars I'll have to tell them about this.

[@steve28849]

i've been riding since '71 and i will testify that what you heard is the absolute truth. in NJ all bikers were painted with the same brush. we were a real minority on the road.

[@bigwu100]

Good talk.

[@warrenfloyd1484]

Back in 82, I got a ticket for my stock handle bars on a moped!!!!? It got thrown out

[@BriggsStratton11]

Good information, thanks Todd

[@fenderfan8543]

Damn, that bike is sick,

[@roberttolley5055]

I have a question if you ever get a spair moment! Heavy clutch cable! They say 1/8 free on clutch handle! 1/4 to half clutch shaft screw n spark plugs but lock down, should I take bike jump out in lever or bottom adjustment?

[@HuntingHarleys]

I'm afraid I don't understand your wording. Perhaps this video will help kzbin.info/www/bejne/pniriJR6qdecmLs

[@harleydave2316]

Great information!!!

[@leeprice7810]

Nice one Todd.

[@Francey4782]

Interesting coz I'd wondered about that as they always seemed a bit weird to me those kinds of bars. Hey, just my opinion. Back in the early 80s my eldest brother had a Bonnie with US Spec bars. I've been a bit biased ever since.

[@Torn_Faction]

Awesome, I had no idea.

[@ramususus]

So, Captain America's pan was illegal? Hmm...

[@chopperchopster]

both bikes were. Here in Phx they no longer pull you over for tall handlebars but they sure did when I moved here in 94.

[@dejonsmall9886]

Nice looking Pan, but I'd like to see that rear fender lowered just a little..

[@HuntingHarleys]

You're thinking modern recreations

[@terrymassey7619]

Hey Todd, hope u and yours are doing well! I was watching some older videos (posts), whatever they are called now a days! I'm really interested in "provenance" or history of any bike in question..right? Case in point, I'm 48 years old, when I was younger (circa 1990) my buddy rebuilt a lowrider 79 shovel, I told him then if ever, I would love to own it...flash forward 2012, I bought it from him. Here's the deal, he was an insurance adjuster, so he got great deals on shit he wanted...follow? Said bike was titled as a total by the Ins.Co., as he was an agent for said company, and a dealer, he never registered the bike, just ran dealer tags! This was in 1992. Any clue how I can straighten the paperwork out to title in my name? I know different states have different rules, but I'm sure u have ran into similar issues, any advice would be greatly appreciated! Love what u do, keep on keeping on man, hope ur health is getting better! Much love...keep it up ! Thanks again!!!

[@HuntingHarleys]

Depends on the state. Bring the old title into the DMV, see what they say

[@bradleyyounger8499]

I dont think I got my license back until the 90s! Didn't stop me from riding..I got pulled over once a week at least for riding on suspended. You could outrun them back then most of the time.

[@jamestorregrossa3041]

Thanks for the great content

[@cop70s]

Planning an evo chop soon...good to know where the style I'm hacking came from haha

[@sonnylombardozzi2633]

U still have this machine

[@HuntingHarleys]

Long gone

[@the_Googie]

im "only" 21 but choppers is all i care about

[@Luftbubblan]

Thank you

[@Snorky_88]

I wish there was no helmet law in Cali still.

[@HuntingHarleys]

Me too

[@roberttolley5055]

1979 1000 cc Sportster , chopper clean

[@ttjbiggunner2025]

Nice story I liked it

[@saltybuckeye]

That's cool

[@davidminter3135]

Ok we brought down the the height to be legal, we narrowed to split lanes. But they are the worst bars to run . If you have rake run bars you want. Chops are an expression of you. Period.

[@HuntingHarleys]

Until the time comes when people listen to rock, where bell bottoms and gave sex as freely as saying hello beautiful. Choppers are a dim recollection of a time long gone old men and women secretly remember with fondness

[@hotwheel6663]

Where your gym at brother?

[@kennethbush2299]

I'm from north Carolina. I'm looking for a chopper. Can you help me find one?

[@chopperchopster]

Dude you dont buy a chop . You build it. If you buy someones already built chop you are buying their idea of what a bike should be. A chopper is a big F you to the world and it represents what YOU think a bike should be. The only time I have bought one was because I was gonna tear it down and rebuild it to MY standards of what it should be. My line of thinking is always open chain primary. Not to much rake and trail since its gotta run on city streets and flick in and out of traffic lanes. Kick start ONLY. No front fender or front frake. Flat rear fender . side mount the Tail light and license plate. Solo seat . P pad. drag bars . Drag pipes. Stroker motor. Paint it black. Mustang gas tank . Need more than 2.5 gallons. LOL. Thats just me . I build the same bike a lot . With variations though.

[@kennethbush2299]

@@chopperchopster I started out on a 71 Bonneville triumph chopper back in 86 . I built that one. I had 6ooo in a 2500 bike .plus I work fulltime I'd rather just buy another one or buy on someone has almost finished than loose that much money again. I've had 5 Harley's since. All the rest seems like riding a saw horse. I like the long front ends.

[@chopperchopster]

@@kennethbush2299 My first chop was a 71 Triumph T110 Tiger 650 CC and I still have her. No idea what its worth. Has no collector value that for sure . If you chop a Harley it also has no collector value. They want matching numbers and original as can be. They also dont ride the dam things! Something is worth what someone will pay for it I guess. I get it though. I work full time too. However I work in a bike shop . Thats an advantage . You should look on Craigslist I find projects there all the time. Last year I found a late 84 sporty chop that didt run. I gave him 2500 for it. After inspection I figured out it was just a bad Factory Stock electronic ignition module. Now it has a Dyna 2000I module and I took it apart and repainted it as well as some other mods I did. Runs like a raped ape. Looks cool and my GF rides it. She is short as a minion and cant ride a bike and touch boot feet flat to the ground. Hardtail is nice and low and she can ride this one. Late 84 is about the best ironhead as its the first sporty without a generator so its very reliable. Or believe it or not I see bikes on E bay . I found a knuckle recently on E bay. Its a chopper and he only wants 15K . I passed on that one I just have to much going on right now . It might still be there. Says its running and rebuilt 2 years ago . Even if its got issues [it will] its still worth coin. its a dam Knuck with a good title !

[@Grenade825]

I have a 1971 honda that's chopped that I need to sale would you be interested? I'll send more info if so. This goes for Todd and any one in the community that may be interested

[@HuntingHarleys]

Possibly, send me an email [e-mail]

[@chopperchopster]

thats great bike to chop! I have a 71 CB 750 FOUR thats chopped as well. Mine has a sick 836 CC big bore kit and everything inside the motor is RC Engineering [Russ Collins] Its gotta be one of the fastest old chops around. I have easily smoked 120 inch S&S equipped bikes with it. The hardest modification? Getting a 4 into 1 exhaust to work on the LOW rigid frame. I scrape a LOT on right turns LMFAO

[@theslimemolds5099]

I remember the Hessians m/c quoting the cops telling them they had a bigger gang then they did 🤔

[@HuntingHarleys]

Happened to every group of bikers back then. The cops couldn't understand the difference between a 1 % club and the AMA, or protest for bikers rights like the MMA.

[@freedomrider2157]

interesting, wish u the best with it 👍

[@sagephillip6119]

✊😎 awesome story !!!

[@strokertexashouston.6560]

Like #1 Dallas.

[@charleswilliams9233]

👍😎thank you

[@franksumser9985]

PANHEADS FOREVER

[@sebastianochs7714]

No helmet law🤦🏼‍♂️ Thought like this wehen I was 14 years old 😄 Very glad that you have to wear a helmet in Germany

[@HuntingHarleys]

Buddy of mine just went down. Road rash all over except his head. That helmet really protected him.

[@garthcombrinck7906]

Sounds like south Africa

[@lukecrawford9395]

These bars were really started so you could ride with your handcuffs on. 😂

[@d1andjetgettingoutdaily149]

I think it's the AMA what is the MMA?

[@TheTommo76]

Modified Motorcycle Association.

[@hulonthomas3399]

69 police shovel sueside ?can u do anything with it?

[@chopperchopster]

I sure can !!!

[@anthonysmalawipredators8794]

MIC DROP.

[@knowbody9679]

Awesome!! Never understood that style. It’s ugly as hell

[@chopperchopster]

So I never knew that. I grew up in NYC though. Cops werent a problem. They had to much real crime to deal with and they left most [not all] bikers alone. Now if you were 3rd street crew [ 81] you might get hassled LOL. My first sled was a 71 Triumph chopper with narrow Z bars . Still have it. These days I like pull back risers and drag bars.

[@lanceandmelanierogers6255]

MMA ???? AMA

[@HuntingHarleys]

Modifie Motorcycle Associate

[@HuntingHarleys]

Association

[@WhiteNacho]

Explanation starts at 2:15

[@bryanbrooks1460]

Ass of knowledge....

[@SnakePlissken23]

Wrong

[@gerryskiff9135]

explain

[@hardtailsuicidaljockey6827]

Learned something new i started in the 80s and being fully inked i would get pulled over once a week and I never went club. I'm a huge fan of apes my bike now has 24" but that was always there reason . I even got a ticket for not having reflective tape on the back of my helmet never heard of that one before . This was in NJ where I grew up........