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Chopper Frames


The most important step in learning how to custom build a chopper is understanding the meaning of a chopper frame. The frame is one of the most important components on a chopper, especially on a mini chopper. The frame is made from high-strength seamless steel tubing and utilizes a high tensile strength welding process to extremely tight tolerances.

Chopper frame is the core of custom choppers. Without the right chopper frame your custom chopper will have nothing to hold it together.

It is also important to understand the various types of chopper frames. For example, when buying a frame for your custom chopper you must know if the engine or transmission will need an offset. This is one of numerous important issues in building and designing your custom chopper frame.

When you make the move to start looking for your custom chopper frame you will need to make a few decisions. One important question, that pertains to chopper frames is, do you want a wide chopper frame or a standard chopper frame?

There are several options to consider.

Rigid choppers frame
A choppers frame that was originally manufactured as a rigid frame, similar to most bicycle frames in design.

Hardtail choppers frame
This would be any pre-manufactured choppers frame, usually a suspension frame of sorts, that has a hardtail rear section welded to it making it appear to be similar to a rigid choppers frame.

Hardhead choppers frame
These are factory frames that have the ugly neck and backbone area replaced by a smoother looking section to give the bike a cleaner look and usually added rake and stretch at the same time.

Swing arm choppers frame
This a frame that was manufactured to use an arm off the rear that is intended to be hooked to shock absorbers giving the swing arm itself suspension. A monoshock frame is a swing arm frame that has one shock absorber, usually, but not always, connected to the front center of the swing arm.

Plunger choppers frame
This is a frame from the past that has individual suspension setups on each side where the rear axle is mounted to the frame. Aftermarket frames of this style became quite the rage during the chopper era of the 70s and 80s.

Any welding on the frame should be done by a qualified welder. Poor craftsmanship can result in frames breaking.

It is important to remember when picking out your custom chopper frame that the more tubing wall thickness your custom chopper frame has, the better.

The frame is the starting point of every project and the core of your bikes design. The problem with off the shelf frames is that the maker has designed them around a standard style and therefore in order for it to look, handle and perform you are restricted to the forks, wheels and tanks that the frame was originally designed for.

No matter what you choose, your chopper frame will be one of the most distinctive parts of your custom chopper. Remember your chopper frame is the essence of your custom chopper. When buying your custom chopper look for strength because you will feel it in the ride.