Milwaukee? That's Harley. Mandello de Lario? That's Moto Guzzi. Hamamatsu? That's Honda. And Locust Grove? That is Cycle One Manufacturing LLC. The makers of the 'Santee' frames, which are very famous in custom circles. "Amen" is just such a company.
Choppers and classic. It's still true
At Santee, and Amen and another couple of companies like that, they have been making 'custom' motorcycles for decades. Custom-made motorcycles made to the wishes of customers. The 'power' of those brands lies primarily in frame construction. The construction of own bicycle parts. In addition, since the 1970s, not only Harley-Davidson blocks have been used, but also British twins and - yes! - Japanese engine blocks. This type of machine has therefore been made for so long that they are now 'classical' according to all current standards.
Everything had to be removed
A chopper was originally a motorcycle of which all non-vital parts were scrapped (to chop = chop). This is where the term chopper (to chop: chop, chop off, demolish) comes from. The idea arose after WWII when returning American soldiers attacked their (ex-army) Harleys with saws to make them lighter, so faster. Shortly afterwards, the Americans in their childlike open-mindedness began to make their motorcycles more 'beautiful' and more personal. That was also the time when motorcycling in the States got a bad name. Because all those motorcyclists, the 'bikers', were not the best boys in the class. It was not until the XNUMXs that Honda gave neat motorcyclists in the States the right to exist again with the slogan 'You meet the nicest people on a Honda'. But before that time, in many communities in North America, motorcyclists were simply unwanted people.
A moderate success in Europe
The result of all that building has found followers even in Europe. Chopper & custom photographer Onno "Berserk" Wieringa even dreams of starting a chopper museum. Many of those American machines are, in the eyes of us European motorcyclists, impressive but completely useless works. They can drive straight ahead, taking a turn is frightening and in any case it gives me enormous pain in my back. In addition, they have the braking distance of a medium-sized ore tanker. What is it all about then? It's about 'lifestyle'.
And that is a bad concept
Frames in which the ball head is so far down that the front wheel almost tilts instead of turning. (Almost) rigid rear frames. Steering wheels that are so high that your armpits will get pneumonia. Tiny tanks. Much model with the famous 'Bondo' (polyester filler). And in some American states, having a front brake on a motorcycle is not even mandatory. Open exhausts. That is nice again. It's not for nothing that the 'Loud pipes save lives' stickers come from America.
The Genuine Classic American customs / choppers who end up here are not world trade. Things are a bit extreme for 'us'. You can be surprised about it. You can even like such a machine. Although the 'paint jobs' of such machines often seem a little too exuberant to us. And they are ideal for long journeys on the Afsluitdijk. But when you look at it, you see that craftsmanship in the States is something very different from the European version of that craft.
Nice, AMEN Savior (from Save-your-ass) because of the “rear suspension” without damping. There are few of them in the Netherlands. I have one with a 750 DOHC Honda block. Originally I had an OHC in it but I blew it up in France 🙁 Built something from 30 years ago and has already had several reincarnations 😉
??? What a story!
Some find open exhausts nice, I don't like that, but meanwhile it means that you can't come to the nicest places in the summer months.
lung inflammation in your armpits, how do you make it up? I'm not coming to, thanks
Nice people that chopperlui
Leddy was blessed with a bizarre sense of humor. He was also the kind of Harley rider that they have very restless nights with at The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company Benelux. The kind of Harley-Davidson driver with whom the illustrious factory has not wanted to be associated - for many years - do not repeat. His unique sense of humor always made him look somewhat damaged with his full two meters and one hundred and fifty pounds. At a local catering establishment, the Cockroach, where the white foamy beer was absorbed just as greedily as the white powder that does such wonderful things with nose dividers, Leddy kicked open the door of the men's toilets while the battle cry "NARCOTICABRIGADE!" The bewildered user who had sniffed not only his portion of sugar powder but also his razor blade and pocket mirror in the fright, collapsed in the assertive stress that is so characteristic of coke users. The neutral-looking brothers carried away the tough 150 pound of bones and blood. A satisfied chuckle sounded from behind the bloated bandages. Leddy had a nice touch with them again. His false remarks also resulted in structurally less aggressive environments in bewilderment and aggression. When his Lief had given birth, Leddy, who was always interested in technology and women, stood with his nose on top when the midwife grabbed needle and thread to attach his cut Lief. He looked at the short-cut, compact maternity lady with happy open-mindedness. He took a deep breath and spoke happily: "do two extra stitches, that's nice and tight". The maternity lady was of the assertive type. She flew at him. Leddy was not beaten by women and slapped back. The maternity lady stabbed him in the eyes with two fingers and gave him an FC Utrecht knee. The ambulance had to come. For the proud father. But Leddy's absolute high point was the move when he and a mate were being chased by the police. At Lunetten, the two chemically misted boy boys were zigzagging very fast and noisy. "Loud pipes save lives" Also at half past two in the morning. While the police car came alongside on the right, Leddy immediately pushed him onto the emergency lane. When the officers came out of their car, Leddy ran towards them. He screamed: “You must catch him! He killed my sister! ”Then he sobbed the female cop. Because a woman. So nice to hug. The police gave a general alarm. And even a very tough criminal Biker has no clear defense against an arrest team that tumbles from all sides in a dark blue Volvo. A lot of targeted but meaningful violence followed. Leddy's mate was enthralled as Houdini crammed into the Volvo. His pride, his outrageous Harley was left behind and later thrown onto a truck by uninterested salvers. In the meantime, Leddy had the pleasure of his life. Because he had had a good time with everyone again!
Because we are among civilized people, I do not tell how his mate completed the story. But Leddy went in an ambulance to the Medical Center Utrecht.