Famous Chopper Builders

Famous chopper builder

The history of the chopper started in World War 2 when pilot Irl Baldwin and his crew where bombing Nazi-Germany. After the war the men could not return to society. This lead to the originate of many motorcycle clubs.  These motorcycle clubs did not have a high budget, so they bought cheap motorcycles from the American army. Mostly this where motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. Everything on the motorcycles that was not necessary the men chopped off. This is where the name chopper came from.

When time past there where all kinds of different styles of choppers. A well known style is the bobber. This where bald motorcycles that where ex US army Harley-Davidsons that where used in racing. Later in the 60's people tried to make their chopper as good looking as possible. At this time not only Harley's, but more motorcycle brands started to sell choppers.

Nowadays people still build choppers big names like Orange County Choppers are still active building choppers. Orange County Choppers not only build custom bikes, they also make and sell accessories so everyone can make there ride into a rolling piece of art. Orange County Choppers is a family business founded by Paul Teutul Sr. with Paul Teutul Jr. in 1999. They got famous by a docusoap called "American Chopper"  which was aired on Discovery Channel. In the program was shown how the preparation and building process went. But in the first episode The program aired a argument between Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr., At first the family Teutul was frustrated that Discovery Channel aired their argument on television. Until they found out that the episode was well received by the audience, they liked the personality in the program. Since then Orange County Chopper and American Choppers where a huge success.

Other big names like Arlen Ness are also still active. Arlen Ness was the world's biggest motorcycle customizer. He started in the 60's, Arlen Ness bought his first Harley-Davidson and created his first chopper. Arlen Ness was knows as a true trend setter, he made great designs, which most of them had a unique body style and paintwork. Arlen Ness was recognizer for this and his popularity grew as he build new custom bikes which he got featured in a motorcycle magazines. Nowadays Arlen Ness his business Arlen Ness Motorcycles, can be found in Dublin, California In the US. The facility includes a museum featuring more than 40 of his custom motorcycles. Today, Arlen Ness Motorcycles is an international brand sold in every continent of the world, which sells motorcycles, and motorcycle parts and gear.

Not all big chopper customizers are still active, Indian Larry was a motorcycle builder and artist, stunt rider and biker. Larry died on August 30, 2004 performing a stunt on his own bike.
Indian Larry got known is the 80's when he rode on a chopped Indian motorcycle. Larry was an old school chopper builder. He sought greater acceptance of choppers being looked upon as an art form. Larry starred in four episodes of the Biker Build-Off series which aired on the Discovery Channel. There are currently two books written on Indian Larry, one of which “Chopper Shaman” compares him to a mythical creature not of this world and another. The second “Indian Larry” is a photo history featuring some of his work while illuminating his unique character. In New York where Larry came from there still is a Indian Larry store where they sell chopper accessories and customize bikes.

Another American chopper builder company is West Coast Choppers, founded by Jesse James. Jesse loved building motorcycles in his mom’s garage. Jesse can be called many thing: custom car and bike builder, producer, author, television host and restaurateur. In November 2012 Discovery Channel launched a show “Jesse James: Outlaw Garage“. The show showed the specialty shop from Jesse where he resurrected classic cars from the 40's, 50's and late 60's. Jesse has produced and starred in a number of programs. In 2009, he starred in and served as executive producer in Spike TV’s highest rated series, “Jesse James is a Dead Man“. Also Jesse was the subject of “Motorcycle Mania“, in 2000. This was a ground breaking Discovery Channel special, chronicling his everyday as a motorcycle builder.  Jesse travelled to Iraq to look inside the war and made his documentary “Iraq Confidential with Jesse James“. Before al Jesse him TV gigs he builded choppers with his company West Coast Choppers. West Coast Choppers sells merchandise and still builds choppers.