The Death of the American Choppers

Our first road trip together was pure chaos in the best way possible-funny decisions, epic views, and a chopper that everyone warned me not to ride. Along the way, I couldn’t help but dive into the wild history of choppers in America and how they went from backyard builds to cultural icons.
Written, produced and edited by ‪@Whitney_Does‬
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Check out our FIRST trip together where ‪@Whitney_Does‬ rode this bike
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[@DoodleOnAMotorcycle]

So that Chopper is for sale in the Georgia area! Here's where you can find it: bit.ly/ThatCHOPPER

[@stewarts8597]

Theres an ol saying...nothing ventured, nothing gained. Trying different styles of bikes gives one a new perspective and appreciation on the many types of bikes out there. I for one applaud the Doodle gang for being game and going for it.

[@Bubbles99718]

@stewarts8597 The Doodle Gang. Flashing on the immortal words of Tim Conway. "Who are you guys?" "We're the Apple Dumpling Gang, punk."

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

I remember when choppers were popular in 60's and 70's. They really started to fade away in the 1980's, with the sport bike popularity. I still cut, bend, shape and weld chopper frames in my garage, just to add to my collection, not to sell, because they aren't big sellers anymore. I bought most of the big frame tools from a chopper shop that was going out of business, years ago.

[@MegaBruceC]

Come spring, I'll be starting my 1998 Sportster chopper, I'm 66 right now and intend to have the bike built by summer I'll. give myself about 4 weeks from start to finish. It will be my actual first chopper that I've built!

[@RyanCorsaut]

@@MegaBruceC All the best to you in your endeavour sir. Just remember the journey is an equal reward to the final product. My first chopper was a kawi vulcan 900. It was a mess but I learned a lot and had a great time. By the time I did my 5th chop of a 1996 dyna it was a breeze.

[@davidgourdie3691]

If it's a hardtail,just remember sprung solo and or softer air pressure in the rear,

[@savage22bolt32]

If it's got tires or tits, it's going to be a problem at some point. Have fun with it!

[@KO-pk7df]

Lots of respect to do this! Take that for a challenge and enjoy it no matter what. Like that old saying "nobody wants to hear about a trip that went fine with no problems". Yeah I'll never own a chopper, but every time I rode one starting in 1972 I was 15, an enduro friend had a Honda 305 chopper and took me for a ride and then for a day we switched bikes because that 305 chopper was a challenge so I took it to Central avenue in Phoenix AZ where all the cars & bikes cruised up and down all night. It was a blast! Every time I got a chance I would ride one just for the fun of it. Also I have to respect any person who builds one, no matter how it was done. One last thing, I like all bikes no matter what they are, well except one! The Buell Blast. Man was that a crummy bike. Against all my advice my son's friend asked help picking his first motorcycle and I took the time to help him. Then a few days later he shows up with a used Buell Blast he bought cheap from a riding school. I spent hours every few weeks helping and teaching him how to work on it. Also showing him every rotten thing about it. Horrible experience but I guess he learned a lot, saved his money and bought a Suzuki 400.

[@jcrewguy123]

Nice job on providing the historical context of the chopper. I'm hopeful that gen z and alpha generation will discover the joy and passion that is motorcycles and motorcycling, creating their own version of a custom bike. As someone who has owned 23 motorcycles over the past 40 years (including a 2008 Big Dog) and logged over 300,000 miles, your content helps spread the word to those who haven't experienced life on 2 wheels. Kudos.

[@talhazlehurst]

Kudos for including Whitney for some color commentary.

[@SternDrive]

I drive a big factory chopper. It's got the look of a hard tail, but my back is happy about the mono shock at the back. It looks stripped, but it actually has a front brake, unlike one chopper I saw on this video. It has a very low seat, which for me at 5'4" is perfect. And most important is the respect you get out on the road. I love my 1300 Honda Sabre!

[@aluisious]

I can't take people seriously who talk about "driving" bikes.

[@JohnSharp-d2j]

If it's factory it isn't chopped...

[@richardugo1247]

@@SternDrive choppers are a culture thing not a buy it and ride thing but all motorcycles are awesome and people and their needs differ so just get out and ride and enjoy 😀

[@WHO-DAT-GUY]

@@richardugo1247I agree with the last part you said but choppers can be and should be ridden.

[@richardugo1247]

@@WHO-DAT-GUY I totally agree

[@ronaldjohnson1474]

Still riding since 1955 (yeah, I'm old) and having owned a motorcycle dealership, this is the best historical review of choppers I've seen.

[@nicholaskalogris9985]

Having an appreciation for various types of bikes can make one a better rider.

[@ColinMacharia]

Hey.. That was good. I Really enjoyed learning about the chopper from the perspective of a passionate bike history enthusiast. Fun moments too. All in a neatly packaged, easily digestible 14 minutes. Time well spent . Thanks @Doodle and erstwhile company. 🎈🎈😎😎

[@walterfechter8080]

Choppers are like Rock N Roll -- real, raw and not for everyone. I've been building and riding choppers before Fonda and Hopper's little motorcycle movie. No matter what you ride, be safe.

[@aggresivefishtanx3763]

Damn Walter, how old are you?

[@walterfechter8080]

@@aggresivefishtanx3763 I'm old enough to remember watching Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show. I started riding on the street in 1966. That should be sufficient. Be safe.

[@aggresivefishtanx3763]

@@walterfechter8080 I'm 44, currently working on a 76 xlh, it will be my first chopper once I hardtail the frame.

[@walterfechter8080]

@@aggresivefishtanx3763 Good luck with your Ironhead project. 👍

[@savage22bolt32]

"It's real hard to be free when you're bought and sold in the marketplace". Jack Hanson (Peter Fonda) in Easy Rider

[@jasonmeador124]

OMG! Doodle and Whitney Does!!!! Great video. Always love Dooele and always love Whitney Does. Combo? Mind Blown! Maybe a Honda Fury for the win?

[@johnnysechrist6313]

I've always rode choppers, even at 70 yrs of age. That little sheep on Doodles helmet was very cute, she was such a good sport to leave it on...Huggzzz Doodle from Kentucky

[@marksmallman4572]

Choppers light and fast,yeah, right😂

[@tomevans7567]

Great video and a fantastic job by Whitney. Doodle thank you so much for letting Whitney shine on your channel.

[@vivienneomen]

Thank you Doodle and Whitney for making this. I love my my big black chopper with spinner rims. It was 80% cheaper than what the original owner paid for it. It's worth so little now that I'm never tempted to sell it and I'm glad, because I do love it. Thank you for also going into the history of who actually made the Easyrider choppers. I lost all respect for Jack Nicholson and Peter Fonda for not giving credit where it's due.

[@mpista7182]

It's not a motorcycle....it's a CHOPPER !!lol

[@NorthernChev]

Paul, Sr. is currently in a biker build-off with Sean and Craig (formerly) from Bikes and Beards, and Senior is the only one actually customizing the bike. The other two are just doing paint and bolt-ons.

[@spartanx169x]

Painting any bike anything other than factory colors IS customizing a bike, ANY bike. That is true with bolt-ons as well.

[@NorthernChev]

@@spartanx169x Yeah, OCC and all the other super famous bike builders got that way from simply painting frames and bolting on engine covers...

[@wudntulike2no32]

My favorite rides are the ones where stuff went wrong. They lead to memories and great stories.

[@Byrds1967]

Thanks for the history lesson, it was cool.

[@danklucar3526]

Lol, Doodle was just happy to be able to flat foot on a bike for once! Lol😂

[@williesweetjr8713]

Great article. As a young motorhead in the 70's, I subscribed to Cycle World Magazine and bought Easy Rider when the cover appealed to me and the scantly clad girl on the cover wouldn't upset my Mom too much. In particular the Captain America bike and anything with a Springer twisted fork suspension got my attention and my paper route money. What is not acknowledged in your video is the fact that Voss and Hardy never got any credit for building these iconic machines that probably catapaulted a whole bike culture due to the fact they were Black nor did the magazine that promoted chopper culture. I had no idea reading the articles in Easy Rider during my early years, that Sugar Bear, the renowned creater of the Springer fork and builder of many choppers was Black until uncovering these facts due to searching the internet in the early 2000's. Chopper culture also sufferd identity crisis with the lawless subculture of some bad actors and the straightlaced people that wanted the law to take these thugs off the streets along with the loud and dangerous machines they drove. As for American Chopper, you're so correct on the drama that over shadowed the builders talent and the corporate over the top builds of machines that no one would or could ride. I watched in the early years then just couldn't deal with the unrealistic family dynamics that took center stage on the show. So when I see a young person on a chopper in the parking lot or pull up beside them at the stoplight on a survivor they rescued or a build they did, I give them great compliments or thumbs up if riding. Your assement of the changing dynamics of the motorcycling public sums it up best, but I'm still thrilled to see choppers rolling down the streets in my city. I'm not slamming the video at all, your content on mortocycles is among the best I have seen and will continue to watch.

[@johngrabowski2957]

This was a fun series. Hopefully, you ladies do more. MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!!!

[@Dyna_Bruh]

You always seem to have so much fun in your vids, and the info is wonderful. I’m glad to stumble into the space of this channel

[@erich.4305]

This was well done. Comprehensive history of the chopper. I found it interesting even though I never intend to ride a chopper. As always great content on this channel. Thanks Doodle. If you are ever traveling to New England let me know I could point you in the direction of things to check out. Peace from a motorcycle rider in Connecticut.

[@wayne7862]

Great video. Seems amazing that Harley Davidson turned down the chance to build choppers for the film "Easy Rider." But the film came out in 1969, the same year that Harley was sold to a bowling ball and pool table company. Not a merger that screams, "Chopper!"

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I think a real addition to a chopper would be a Kickstarter. One of my old shovels has it. It's just something you just don't see anymore and it comes in awfully handy

[@dasko3]

Love this video! I had no idea the team behind the Easy Riders bikes were African-American. More history time with Whitney and Maria please!

[@05gt99]

I enjoyed this, really interesting. Thanks ladies.

[@thaaalegend2775]

i love love love my fury. i got mine brand new about a year ago now as my first bike. i picked it up in california and rode it all the way back up to my home in oregon my first time on it and i had an absolute blast.

[@billjenks8575]

Honda Fury for Doodle (and Whitney). It ain't Captain America, but it's the best that "The Nicest People" had on offer for the 1%

[@tgwazu]

FYI - a primary origin of choppers was actually comfort for long rides. On a chopper you kick back and relax, as opposed to the cramped fetal position imposed by most bikes. And they look cool…

[@thomasstevenson5367]

Lmao! Was that a plush Strawberry Shortcake helmet? 😂 I imagine that was fun once you got in the wind 🤯

[@j.whisper2379]

Choppers are the most uncomfortable, dangerous motorcycle ever created! People are just starting to realize it

[@kennethcooley3445]

Great vid on the chopper and your triangle run. I’ve been to the triangle. Good riding down in the Smokies. Thank you

[@djoy3244]

I used to own a Big Dog Chopper, and although I never took it on a long trip, I thought it was very comfortable.

[@johnanderson9735]

I have tried several different types of bikes, and settled on what is comfortable 99%, and that ends up being a Tiger 900 GT Pro for me. HD, Honda Shadow Aero, VStrom, and a Goldwing. For my 2nd go round on biking I will be comfortable from here on out at 65!

[@realBkay]

Honda Fury

[@TheZaxx]

I remember seeing some guys (and girls) on choppers with extreme rake and long springer front forks along the coast of California when I was a kid in the 1970s (we were travelling in our VW Bus!). I've always remembered that. It was like they just rode out of a movie, or off the page of a magazine. It seemed quite strange in a way, and I've never seen anything like that since. It's like choppers suddenly disappeared...until years later, when they re-appeared, but built more like the one they rode in this video.

[@mdgardner70]

About 20 years ago I helped a buddy with a chop he had. Hard tail frame, long springer forks with no rake built into the frame which pitch it up, Yamaha XS650 parallel twin powered. I got it running for him, but the buckhorn style handlebars had the controls in your face and made the handling feeling very wonky. I replaced those bars with a 1" pipe putting the controls further forward at shoulder with the arms nearly straight. Comfort was significantly improved as was cornering confidence. But the handling of that bike was genuinely wonky. A dip in the middle of a 45 mph curve (at about 60) turned the bike wet springy noodle. But hey, it ran good, would start on the first kick and was relatively comfortable. I still kinda want one for myself.

[@JamesLamb]

Nice history! And glad you found some fellow (fellow?) travelers. Or comrades? I just did a trip slightly over 1000 miles - took two days out and three back - which is pretty slack for a youngster, but for my old bones, the worst part was my hip joint started aching from being in one position (old bicycle accident?). I don't think I'll do it again unless I break it into three hour hops with a long break between them. After dark there's a significant animal road hazard (kangaroos, wombats).

[@Briansgate]

comfort aside, that purple chopper is freaking gorgeous!

[@richardprice5978]

there's a magazine's history and posters my sibling had it on the bedroom wall pre-2008 and yes not bad looking but im not into the rims/shapeing the other i like is a honda Vulcan?2005~ aka striped gold wing and adding two-tones+lots of gingerbread/crome or Indian's or V6-hoss's/hemi-hoss

[@sparkyastwo]

Whitney, that was a great breakdown from early to modern day times… but what about your riding experience on the chopper? I think that the three of you teaming up was great! Maybe viewers want to know more about you and your sore cheeks from that rigid ride. Don’t get me wrong, and please don’t think that I’m being condescending or patron you. I like the history lesson… but how was your ride? Inquiring minds want to know. I want to know more about “the girl’s night out” and do a ride along with you (virtually). I mean, I’d love to ride with you but… viewers want to see more of you, not me. People get nervous when they see me in their rear view mirrors. In closing, keep up the great work and hope to see more future content from the three of you. ❤

[@donnacho8213]

I really like her voice. I love it that you got the chopper and rode it.

[@weldonwalker9248]

Okay LOVE HER Doodle!!! Does Whitney have her own channel because I would love to subscribe...Thank you for incorporating Afro-American influence into the chopper history with Chris Boss and bike builder Ben Hardy!!! Their contribution made choppers possible!!! I look forward to future collaboration as well as individual experiences!!!

[@CGC6vette]

Her channel is "Whitney Does". I like when she collaborates with Spite. She has a great sense of humor.

[@Vince_inTX]

Choppers are awesome and make duck walking look cool,.. great video!

[@richardboody6709]

I was watching and enjoying your ride to the Devil's Triangle and enjoyed it so much, thanks for sharing. I was wondering if it was the one in East Tennessee, that went by Brushy Mountain Penitentiary near Wartburg and Briceville and Rocky Top. That one is close to my home. Have you looked into the "Snake" in upper East Tennessee and Western North Carolina or Virginia

[@CaptainFishHead720]

If you want to go further down this road, check out some of the “production choppers”. Harley has the Rocker C and Honda has the Fury. I have a Fury you can try out.

[@Ephem13]

I've always been a bigger fan of British and Japanese bikes circa 1960s tyoe. Be it a proper cafe racer tearing around town or a brat for some good ole comfy rides. A close second was the early bobber builds in the US. Those bikes from the 30s til the 60s really were cool.

[@spergicide97]

I really dont have a problem with these bikes and think they can be really cool (provided that they're built rifhr), my only thing is i dont think they should be called choppers. To me, they're more akin to what muscle cars are to hotrods. Shiny, performance bikes that come out of a factory rather than being home built. I always call these sorts of bikes muscle bikes.

[@ronaldalyea1136]

I'm 68, road choppers all my life. The most comfortable bikes I've ever been on, road thousands of miles on them before Iron Butt became a thing. Of course, I built my choppers for me, for my comfort, maybe that made the difference?

[@jude.25]

Love the collaboration in this endeavor, Doodle. You're the catalyst for this and who knows what it will become. Maybe one day HD riders will start waving at me on the highway. Just kidding, many already do.

[@AuroraBorealDas203Noites]

Thank you 😊

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

You never know what it is like until you try.

[@bradreed859]

Doodle your crazy and we love it !❤

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I tinker with bike's myself.. but never a fan of the chopper but like people say there's usually a butt for every seat. I'm just happy I can put it back together and make it run.

[@johnhouston364]

So i liked the storyline. You could do a series on the historical side. But I kept wondering, what was making the chopper uncomfortable? Personally, I like a stripped-down ride over a bagger. Great video's, keep them coming

[@Owjdnskoakansbskk]

There’s a big chopper scene in California. They’re all in their 20s and ride up and down the state and even all the way to Texas to go to Born Free every year.

[@girthquake9655]

Yussss.... Choppers. I'm more of the 60's, 70's chopper kind of guy.

[@martincvitkovich724]

American Choppers were not choppers. They were funky custom builds. Big difference than it was to take a big hog, strip it and make it your own. We rode for hundreds of miles a day in the 70's on 20-30 year old Harleys and indian choppers. They were comfortable , unless you hit a pot hole which will launch you

[@TheGreenMonkey1]

Undulating………..you and your thesaurus made my day 😎 great segment!

[@nephicus339]

The clips of Becky Goebel reminds me, I can't wait to see her and Doodle's personalities get mixed together. Collab! Collab! Collab!! 😛

[@ragadrop]

I think that you forgot the criminal activities that the MCs prevailed and how it affected the general perspective of choppers

[@ja-bv3lq]

Doodle! My 1st "real" motorcycle trip (in 2001) was on a 1996 Suzuki Itruder 1400 - a 4 speed!. Me and my dad (lucky him, he was on a 1982 Wing) did a trip from Denver to San Fran and up the coast a bit and back to Denver. My Intruder was cool - as a Japanese chopper. I learned the HARD way... I'm 6'5" - I've learned I need a road-sofa... F' looking cool.

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I do like the old photos ... in the history lesson

[@inkslut55]

Jesse James and Motorcycle Mania was what launched the store bought chopper show craze that the cake decorators at Orange County jumped on

[@AMorgan57]

"except for the adventure bike part" haha, ain't that so

[@jagjr6772]

I would love to have a chopper for local riding. Not interested in building one but wish there was still an OCC market to buy one new off the showroom floor.

[@johnanderson9735]

Thanks for recognizing Hardy, he is not talked about enough!

[@briantee7651]

Nice Dyno Jet subliminal Ad sneak in at 2:39. Money money :)

[@kestrou]

Very positive video and I’m not here to throw shade, but… that was a “soft tail” chop, with a rear swing arm so it had suspension. If you REALLY want an old school chopper experience, hop on a hardtail! I have several - including a very accurate copy of Captain America. Doodle - PM me to arrange a group ride for all your homies and we’ll all ride out on hardtails, as far as you can handle! *grin* kestrou

[@cb750k1974]

You won't be buying choppers at Hellbender Harley Davidson anymore......today was their last day, they are closing . Everything will be moved to their Cartersville dealership. Motorcycling, overall, is in a slow decline and has been for sometime.

[@trex860]

Doodle………get to the chopper……!!! Great vid, thank you again!!

[@insatiable_mind]

Whitney didn’t mention pulp fiction.😂

[@tauncfester3022]

Really, the TV series Then came Bronson was as big an influence, if not more and was a lot more realistic and achievable. The bike he rode, the 1969 1000 cc Sportster you could go down to your Harley dealer and buy off the floor. Frankly even the 1968 Honda CB350 was a decent bike to road-tour on, you don't really need 1000cc's to travel long distances comfortably

[@lilrat2768]

You should try a Harley Breakout. They are perfect middle ground.

[@logangodofcandy]

Choppers started for performance. They evolved to being pretentious and showy, dropping performance. Motorcycle companies now make both kinds of bikes, so you don't need to do it yourself unless you're a special kind of person.

[@user-Borgus]

Awesome video, Doodle and friends!

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Most things you got to try. Yeah some things maybe not. Ride on ride safe...🏍️

[@NorthernChev]

My neighbor owns the OCC Napa bike. I've ridden it. It's atrocious. He hates it too, from a drivability standpoint. It's strictly a novelty item.

[@williamrose2506]

Got 2 Victory's, two Triumphs, and a Moto Guzzi California 1400. I rotate. IMO, the chopper era is gone, but there are still a few out there.

[@juanmaza8575]

looks like a lot like a Honda Fury

[@westcoast3595]

The back tire being to wide. The saddle needs a proper custom one. Both of those will make riding that long bike uncomfortable.

[@KeViNMCMXXCIX]

Good stuff!

[@hippytrev7452]

well done.. cheers

[@seansimone-e6k]

Most of those choppers were junk, except for the motor and transmission. It’s a bunch of aftermarket parts that didn’t work well together.

[@philwalters6738]

Those easy rider bikes were purchased from City of Los Angeles, salvaged police bikes.

[@yamaharider8014]

I've owned a number of bikes over the yrs, but no choppers. Modern choppers--maybe a Vulcan 900 custom. Great video.

[@JA-zh5xi]

Let’s face it - choppers are only good for “hey look at me”. They are horrible to ride. Thus the reason all those $50k choppers are selling for less than $10k today. The dudes riding them are kind of a joke in the motorcycle community.

[@Subpar-u6q]

Rigid suspension for the full “kidney busting” experience.

[@rustyhenry3692]

Low pressure in the rear tire mine rides smooth… I’ll ride it across country rt now and not sweat it at all

[@Thepeanutgallery666]

The one in the video is a softail. It has a Softail rear end in it.

[@ttxela]

I have an '87 VS700 Intruder but I'd love an old 70's chopper or even build one!

[@savage22bolt32]

Hey man, if it has two wheels & a motor, count me in! Brakes optional.

[@kenbrown2808]

like everything else, choppers started out as performance upgrades, and then went to cosmetics. and there's nothing wrong with that. but I'm still going to ridicule the ones who destroy function in their quest for form. I still have the dream of having a big cruiser some day.

[@ihateemael]

well, I wasn't interested . . but after watching a few minutes I changed my mind. This is one of best researched, and best produced mini vids I have seen on YT. And i'm not that interested in choppers! I'm really tired of American "shock" style content. So thx, and cheers from AU.

[@jpvazquez25]

Great video

[@VTSteve]

I think American Chopper creative more negative sterotypes of Motorcyclists among non bikers. Paul's personality was the problem in large part, IMHO

[@jackreece6303]

Excellent video ladies.

[@DonLeist]

Most of Orange counties choppers look like they're imported from ASIA,Just like American made Harley-Davidsons.