Does a chopper have to be a v twin?

[Pwalo]

Just a quick question for you cruisery types. Is it absolutely necessary for a chopper to be a v twin?

It's pretty hard to ignore all the chopper based programmes on Sky, and I know that the announcer always says that the bikes are so radical and innovative, but they all seem to be variations on a very specialised theme.

I just wondered if I'm missing something.

[MrMelon]

I reckon a cool variation on the American Chopper theme would be a Ghost Rider style street fighter show, followed by high speed wheelies on european highways.

[avgas]

Seen heaps of Bonnie's with monkey bars......So that would be a parrallel twin.

[outlawtorn]

purists would say yes, they all have to be V-Twin, but I reckon the beauty of create a "custom" chopper in doing what you want to it, from bodywork all the way through to engine, seat, etc etc.

[TLDV8]

CB750 SOHC's to Kawasaki Triples have been chopperised..Brit Twins to Panheads....even TL1000's.

[thehollowmen]

purists would say yes, they all have to be V-Twin, but I reckon the beauty of create a "custom" chopper in doing what you want to it, from bodywork all the way through to engine, seat, etc etc.

Exactly.
My workmate and I have been trying to work out the most radical chopper design we could play with.. starting from Vtwins and V8s, we moved to rotaries and .. well.. I think a jet engine sorta like the Y2K bike could be fun.

Imagine passing a hyabusa while screaming 'fuck I can't get it into second gear'

so yeah.. for shits and giggles you can put anything into a chopper.

[zadok]

I knew somebody once that made an Aerial Square Four into a chopper. Did a beautiful job as well.

[Big Dave]

No! Some of the coolest bikes from the 70's biker flicks were Triumphs.

[Coyote]

I've seen a rotary chopper. Didn't look great though

[ezinnz]

Some of the nicest choppers from the 70's were the ones built with Honda 750 4's. Hell, I'd love to build one of those now. They're a nice powerplant for a chop and look retro to boot!

[FROSTY:Me]

shit the japs got into the chpper thing too--xj550 custom.cb650 custom,gs750 custom etc etc --it was all the rage in the 80's

[Colapop]

I understand that a 'chopper' is a bike (any bike) customised usually by chopping the frame to create a longer lower version.
This link will lead you to "The Chopper Builders Handbook" which has a lot of very useful, down to earth advice.
http://64.172.168.34/neatstuff/

I have gotten 3/4 of the way through creating (downloading and formatting) a hardcopy of it, but it's taking awhile (downloading pics separately and inserting them mainly)
The guy that wrote/is writing this handbook states he is an old school guy and, very much like this site, wants to get back to the old style clubs where guys/girls would go and exchange ideas/tips/bits etc and generally help each other out. Well worth a look even if just for ideas.

[Eurodave]

Just a quick question for you cruisery types. Is it absolutely necessary for a chopper to be a v twin?

It's pretty hard to ignore all the chopper based programmes on Sky, and I know that the announcer always says that the bikes are so radical and innovative, but they all seem to be variations on a very specialised theme.

I just wondered if I'm missing something.

TRUE, why the hell are all the motors virtually the same Harley or ripoffs thereof ????? The only glimmer of hope on "American Choppers" was the lawnmower engined bike still a V twin though!!!

[Colapop]

I've seen a rotary chopper. Didn't look great though

I'd be interested to see what that looked like. I've played with the idea of doing that. I'm sure it could be done tidily and go like stink.

[HenryDorsetCase]

shit no...

though lots of twats think they do... the coolest bike I saw at the weekend amongst a sea of Hardleys was a 70's BSA twin hardtail chopper with an extended springer front end and a spring seat.

In fact theres a good David Edwards editorial in Cycle World within the last year about this very thing.... he bought a 70's CB750 chopper which prompted the column.

What it SHOULD be about is whatever floats your boat, but what TV tells you its about is "if we're going to get this bike done for Daytona, you better pull your finger out..." blah blah.

Jesse James and Hank Young are my favourites of the current crop. Youngs choppers is my screensaver at work.