 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FXSTSSE3 2009 Harley Davidson CVO Screaming Eagle Springer $23,900.00 (20 Bids) Time Remaining: 3h 40m |
 Harley Davidson Softail fxstsi 2005 harley davidson fxstsi springer softail asphalt custom paint lots chrome $11,000.00 Time Remaining: 19d 44m Buy It Now for only: $11,000.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS BEAUTIFUL COLOR 2000 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SPRINGER PRISTINE LIKE NEW ITS PERFECT NO RESERVE $12,600.00 (37 Bids) Time Remaining: 5h 27m |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1998 Harley Davidson FLSTS Heritage Springer Custom evo Trades FREE SHIP USA $10,500.00 Time Remaining: 19d 18h 24m Buy It Now for only: $10,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTS VERY LOW MILE 2003 FLSTS Heritage Springer Softtail 100th anniversary Edition $11,100.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 22m Buy It Now for only: $19,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1998 98 Harley Davidson Heritage Springer Beautiful Black w Red Low Miles $11,700.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 20m Buy It Now for only: $13,875.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Badboy Springer 1997 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSB BAD BOY SOFTAIL SPRINGER $9,950.00 Time Remaining: 19d 17h 3m Buy It Now for only: $9,950.00 |
 Harley Davidson Sportster SPRINGER HARLEY 1000Springerblackgold leafshifter on rightruns perfect $2,025.00 (17 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 54m |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2007 HD SPRINGER CLASSIC FLSTSC AMAZING 21 WHEEL FAT DADDY JUST CUSTOMIZED $21,900.00 Time Remaining: 1h 35m Buy It Now for only: $21,900.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FXSTS 1999 HARLEY SPRINGER SOFTAL FXSTS VERY NICE SHOW QUALITY 150 TIRE TONS OF CHROME $7,500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 14m |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTSI HERITAGE SPRINGER AS NEW 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON 100th ANNIVERSARY FLSTSI HERITAGE SPRINGER CUSTOM $18,655.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $30,000.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2005 HD SOFTAIL SPRINGER CLASSIC FLSTSC PERFECT CONDITION ONLY 3789 MILES $13,500.00 Time Remaining: 5h 14m Buy It Now for only: $13,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Springer Softail 1991 Harley Davidson Spring Softail Clean Bike NOOO RESERVE DONT MISS OUT $6,250.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 31m Buy It Now for only: $7,999.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail SPRINGER ONE OF A KIND $9,999.00 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 4m |
 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Springer 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTSI HERITAGE SPRINGER 100TH ANNIVERSARY $14,950.00 Time Remaining: 10d 3h 12m Buy It Now for only: $14,950.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FXSTS 101 HP Springer for sale or trade $7,500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 20m Buy It Now for only: $10,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson fxstsi 2004 SOFTTAIL SPRINGER FXSTSI LOW MILES $11,995.00 Time Remaining: 4d 1h 21m Buy It Now for only: $11,995.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FXSTSSE3 2009 Harley Davidson CVO Screamin Eagle Softail Springer $21,400.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 55m |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTS 1997 White Blue Heritage Springer FLSTS Low Miles Pristine Old Boy $9,900.00 (10 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 1h 27m |
 Harley Davidson Softail SE Softail Springer 2009 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSSE3 Screamin Eagle SPRINGER $24,950.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 52m Buy It Now for only: $24,950.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FATBOY Harley Davidson Fatboy with Springer Front EndLots of Extras MUST SEELOOK $6,950.00 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 2h 23m Buy It Now for only: $15,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Screamin Eagle SCREAMIN EAGLE FXSTSSE2 SOFTAIL SPRINGER $17,950.00 Time Remaining: 2d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $19,950.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2003 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SPRINGER $13,000.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $13,000.00 |
 Harley Davidson Touring heratage springer harley davidson heritage springer flhsts $16,000.00 Time Remaining: 2d 15h 15m |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1996 SOFTAIL SPRINGER OLD SCHOOL $13,950.00 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 43m Buy It Now for only: $13,950.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTSI 2003 Harley Davidson Heritage Springer Classic 100th Anniv Gold Key Edition $10,001.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 15h 26m Buy It Now for only: $14,995.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2007 Harley Davidson Screamin Eagle Softail Springer FXSTSSE $12,001.00 (31 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 18h 51m |
 Harley Davidson Softail 100th Anniversary Heritage Springer 2003 Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary Heritage Springer 1 of 429 Gunmetal Blue $14,975.00 Time Remaining: 20d 18h 30m Buy It Now for only: $14,975.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail HERITAGE SPRINGER 100ANNI 2003 Harley Davidson Softail HERITAGE SPRINGER $8,100.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 22h 48m Buy It Now for only: $13,450.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2005 Old School Softail FX Springer FXSTSI $8,995.00 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 50m Buy It Now for only: $12,995.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail SE Softail Springer 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSSE SCREAMIN EAGLE SPRINGER $17,975.00 Time Remaining: 18d 23h 8m Buy It Now for only: $17,975.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2001 HERITAGE SPRINGER low miles $12,500.00 Time Remaining: 4d 22h 9m Buy It Now for only: $13,999.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail CVO Springer 07 Harley Davidson Softail CVO Springer FXSTSSE $17,992.00 Time Remaining: 8d 22h 44m Buy It Now for only: $17,992.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTSCI 2005 Harley Davidson Springer Classic FLSTSCI Female Owned $12,200.00 Time Remaining: 4d 23h 2m |
 Harley Davidson Softail FXSTS 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Springer FXSTS EXCELLENT Condition $5,600.00 Time Remaining: 5d 57m |
 Harley Davidson Softail MINT BLACK YELLOW 1996 HARLEY SOFTAIL SPRINGER BADBOY BAD BOY FXSTSB LOW MILES $12,820.25 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 4m Buy It Now for only: $12,820.25 |
 Harley Davidson Dyna FXDXT 2001 Harley Davidson Dyna FXDXT Springer 90 day Layaway Worldwide shipping $7,500.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 16m Buy It Now for only: $7,750.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1997 Heritage Softail Springer $7,500.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 5h 5m Buy It Now for only: $14,000.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 2002 HD SPRINGER FXSTS FULL ONLY 6050 MILES FUEL INJECTED SHOWROOM CONDITION $10,500.00 Time Remaining: 1h 38m Buy It Now for only: $10,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Springer FLSTSCI 2005 Harley Davidson FLSTSCI Softail Springer Classic $5,000.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 13h 30m Buy It Now for only: $11,399.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1996 HARLEY DAVIDSON SOFTAIL SPRINGER BADBOY BAD BOY FXSTSB W EXTRAS LIKE NEW $12,820.25 Time Remaining: 1d 17h 40m Buy It Now for only: $12,820.25 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1997 Harley Heritage Springer One of a kind $28,500.00 Time Remaining: 5d 17h 31m |
 Harley Davidson Softail FLSTSC 2007 Harley Softail Springer $11,000.00 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 45m Buy It Now for only: $14,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail MINT BLACK BLUE 1995 HARLEY SOFTAIL SPRINGER BADBOY BAD BOY FXSTSB EXTRAS 7K $13,105.25 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 6m Buy It Now for only: $13,105.25 |
 Harley Davidson Softail 91 springer softail $4,544.99 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 6d 16h 37m Buy It Now for only: $6,500.00 |
 Harley Davidson FXSTSSE SPRINGER SCREAMING EAGLE 2007 Harley Davidson FXSTSSE Screaming Eagle Edition $16,100.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 7d 17h |
 Harley Davidson Softail SE Softail Springer 2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON FXSTSSE SCREAMIN EAGLE SPRINGER $16,966.00 Time Remaining: 16d 16h 8m Buy It Now for only: $16,966.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Springer 2000 HARLEY HERITAGE SPRINGER FLSTS LOADED LOW MILES PRISTINE CONDITION $10,500.00 (8 Bids) Time Remaining: 7d 20h 48m |
 Harley Davidson Softail 1999 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SPRINGER CLASSIC FLSTS SCREAMIN EAGLE UPGRADES $10,920.25 Time Remaining: 10d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $10,920.25 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Springer 1998 HARLEY HERITAGE SPRINGER 95th ANNIVERSARY FLSTS LOADED PRISTINE CONDITION $9,101.00 (16 Bids) Time Remaining: 7d 21h 6m |
 Harley Davidson Softail Springer 1990 Harley Davidson Softail SPRINGER One Owner No Reserve $7,400.00 Time Remaining: 9d 20h 41m Buy It Now for only: $12,992.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Cvo screaming eagle Springer 2008 Harley Davidson fxstsee2 2008 $21,000.00 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 48m Buy It Now for only: $21,000.00 |
 Harley Davidson Softail Harley heritage springer 1998 black red must seefree shipping to Daytona $7,350.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 21h 32m |
| Account limit of 2039 requests per hour exceeded. |
A Brief History of the Chopper Motorcycle
The motorcycles military history dates back as early as 1913. In fact General John J. Pershing used a Harley Davidson motorcycle to pursue the famous Mexican bandit, Pancho Villa, in 1916. By 1917 roughly two thirds of Harley Davidson’s production went to the military. World War 1 saw approximately 20,000 Harley’s pressed into military service with that number rising to 90,000 in World War 2. These motorcycles played many parts in wartime, from mostly being used for communications, transportation, and limited combat to tactical assault missions in World War 2. This along with the regular wartime motor pool produced thousands of men trained as mechanics.
At the end of World War 2 a large number of these returning GIs went into business using their newly learned mechanical skills. Most went into the automotive repair business, however, a large group focused on the motorcycle side of the business. A lot of these returning soldiers turned to hot rods and motorcycles seeking the thrill they had experienced in wartime. The huge surplus of military motorcycles provided a readily available, and cheap, marketplace for these thrills seekers. From the very beginning these new bikers started modifying the big, heavy, utility oriented and styled military motorcycle, removing parts and accessories not absolutely necessary for starting, riding, and stopping the motorcycle.
Saddlebags, windshields, big bulky headlights, and mirrors were removed. The mirrors and lights were replaced with newer and sleeker styles. The old flat floorboards were replaced with forward foot pegs. Front fenders were removed and the rear fenders were either removed or cut down, leaving just enough to accommodate a passenger over the rear tire. The large, original front tires and gas tanks were removed and replaced with much smaller ones. Exhaust systems were replaced with straight pipes. All of this was done mostly to make the bike lighter for street and dirt racing. The big leather and spring suspended saddle type seat was replaced with a smaller padded seat to allow the rider to ride lower on the bike. The “sissy” bar or custom backrest became standard equipment. The custom, and chopper type motorcycles, as well as, the biker lifestyle were born!
The end result of all of this modification of the military motorcycle was an entire industry catering to this phenomenon. Chop shops and custom bike builders sprang up all over the country. A person could bring in a stock Harley Davidson motorcycle to one of these shops and, depending on how much money they wanted to spend getting the desired look and style, ride out with a completely customized or totally chopped bike. All removable parts are removed, including the engine and transmission. The original frame is then cut, or chopped up, and welded back together resulting in a lower and longer frame. This method of customizing led to the bikes being called choppers. Chopper builders have in large part favored fat rear tires, a rigid looking frame, and an original or replica air cooled v-twin engine. Performance and custom, usually chromed parts, are then added. The chopper inevitably has a long, or raked, extended front fork. Springer and Girder front-ends were the forks of choice to accomplish this raked look. These front ends are still widely used. Although these bikes are somewhat less responsive to handling and have a heavier feel at slow speeds and on curves they actually handle better than their stock front-end counter parts at higher, or cruising speeds.
Choppers have maintained a loyal following and legends in the building of these motorcycles have evolved. One shining example is Jesse G. James’ West Coast Choppers. Mr. James has been successful in producing, and branding, his own style of unique and very expensive chopper style motorcycles. Many chopper and biker related businesses have also came into being. These include everything from the merchandising of motorcycle riding apparel and custom parts and accessories to bars and clubs catering to the chopper and other biker enthusiasts
About the Author
Originally from Texas, I now live in the mountains of Arizona. I have 2 online stores the 1st of which is http://bikertshirtsandtanks.com which sells a complete line of Harley Davidson and other biker apparel. The 2nd store is http://toybuildingbricks.com and offers all Lego toy building sets.