Ljubav na prvu vožnju

Čoperi

 

 

Motocikli koji, iako pomalo neprijatni za uši prolaznika, izgledaju sjajno, a idu još bolje – čoperi privlače pažnju gde god da se pojave. Nije bitno da li je reč o „old school” ili „new age” modelima; kad ulicom prolazi čoper, na licima posmatrača čita se radoznalost, a na licima vozača - oduševljenje i blagi osmeh.

 

 

   Naziv „čoper”, nastao od originalne reči „chopper” (iseckano, engl.), sam po sebi dovoljno  govori o izgledu ove vrste motocikla. Nastao modifikovanjem, prepravljanjem i „seckanjem” postojećeg modela, ovaj tip motora predstavlja autentičnu pojavu, kakva se ne sreće ni u jednoj drugoj vrsti motocikala. Njegova osnova i, ujedno, najupadljiviji deo jeste ram neobičnog izgleda, kao i prilično dugačka prednja viljuška. Bez gotovo ikakvih maski i preteranih zaštita, ram je izduženog oblika s veoma nisko postavljenim težištem. S obzirom na to, bilo je neophodno modifikovati i viljušku, pa je i ona poprimila veoma neobičan izgled. Ono što oblik ovog motocikla čini još interesantnijim jeste nedostatak vešanja, odnosno suspenzije na zadnjem točku. To i jeste jedan od razloga što je vožnja čoperom nešto truckavija od vožnje drugom vrstom motocikla. Ram je izdužen da bi zadnji točak mogao da se fiksira na njemu, a pošto je težište nisko postavljeno, s viljuškom uobičajene veličine čoper bi bio ne samo motor smešnog izgleda, već i loših, nepraktičnih voznih osobina.

 

 

Bobleri

 

Prethodnici čopera bili su tzv. „bobleri”, prvi „custom made” motori, nastali 40-ih i 50-ih godina prošlog veka. U početku su ih pravili pojedinci koji ne samo da su poznavali mehaniku, nego su bili vešti i u radu s materijalima. Oba modela, i bobler i čoper, poseduju zajedničku osobinu a to je težnja ka minimalizmu u izgradnji, odnosno uklanjanje svih nepotrebnih delova za vožnju. Bez obzira na to, ova dva modela motocikala međusobno se razlikuju i to u jednom veoma važnom pogledu. Iako su, kao i čoperi, modifikovani, bobleri su zadržali isti, fabrički ram koji preoblikovanjem nije pretrpeo ni najmanju promenu. S druge strane, pri izradi čopera ram se seče da bi postao što lakši i niži, a zatim se zavaruje i modernije oblikuje.

 

 

Tradicionalni čoperi

 

Tradicionalni čoperi nastali su u Americi 60-ih godina prošlog veka. Vrativši se kućama, ratni veterani tražili su zabavu i uzbuđenje i tako došli na ideju o preoblikovanju fabričkih mašina u lakše, atraktivnije i zabavnije modele motora, za šta su u vojsci i ratovima stekli osnovno znanje. Tako je nastala serija mnogobrojnih varijacija i modela čopera. Formiranje manjeg prednjeg i većeg zadnjeg točka, zamena većih fabričkih ogledala manjim, ugrađivanje malih branika, modifikovanje cevi auspuha – samo su neke od modifikacija koje su ovi umešni momci izvodili na svojim motorima. Jednu od najstandardnijih modifikacija predstavljale su šipke koje su služile kao naslon za suvozača a koje je, po tadašnjim američkim zakonima, svaki motocikl morao da poseduje.

 

 

Moderni čoperi

 

Stvari stoje nešto drugačije kada je reč o savremenim čoperima. Njih ne prave majstori entuzijasti već kompanije koje se bave modifikacijom postojećih modela motocikala. Ove kompanije serijski proizvode takozvane „tematske” motore, a modifikacije su standardne, među kojima je najznačajnija upotreba hroma. Bilo da je reč o originalnim, bilo o izmenjenim delovima, velikim ili malim, smeštenim na vidljivom ili nedostupnom mestu - hromirani delovi postali su zaštitni znak modernih čopera. Njihovi prepoznatljivi delovi jesu i ručke za upravljanje, različite od modela do modela. Na nekim čoperima one su produžene, čime je vozaču omogućeno da „zavaljen” upravlja motorom, dok su na pojedinim modelima one nešto kraće, zbog čega se vozač, nagnut napred, nalazi u takozvanom „brzom” položaju tokom vožnje. Uprkos razlikama, svim modelima čopera zajedničko je to da je opterećenost motocikla nepotrebnim dodacima svedena na minimum. Zbog toga se na ručkama najčešće nalaze samo držači za dlanove, kvačilo, kočnice i minijaturni retrovizori (mada se često susreću i čoperi koji ih uopšte nemaju). Isto tako, zajednička karakteristika im je i ogroman raspon između ručki, koji vozaču omogućuje što bolju kontrolu nad motorom.

 

 

Čoper kultura

 

Kompanije koje se danas bave proizvodnjom čopera najčešće ih nazivaju „custom made” motorima. Najpoznatije kompanije koje proizvode ove motore su „Vest Koast Čopers” (West Coust Choppers), „Falkon Motorsajsles” (Falcon Motorcycles), „Fon Dač Kustom Sajsles” (Von Dutch Kustom Cycles) i, najpopularnija među njima, „Orandž Kaunti Čopers” (Orange County Choppers), kompanija, zbog koje se „čoper kultura”, preko „Discovery” kanala, proširila na ceo svet. Moćnog i upadljivog izgleda s hromiranim i svetlucavim detaljima, čoperi plene pažnju okoline bilo da se nalaze na nekom od mnogobrojnih moto skupova, bilo da samo krstare gradom. Iako se doživljavaju kao mašine vrhunske estetike, čoperi nisu samo motori za pokazivanje već poseduju i odlične vozne kvalitete. Zbog motora velike snage, ove urbane krstarice u stanju su da postignu veoma veliku brzinu i sjajno se ponašaju na otvorenom, pravom putu. Nedostatak im je nešto lošija upravljivost pri manjim brzinama, kao i to što su prilično teški za vožnju u krivinama.

 

 

Neugasiva strast

 

Pomenute nedostatke kompenzuju brojne prednosti kojima se ovi motocikli odlikuju. Jačina motora i veliki broj konjskih snaga govore same za sebe. Ugradnja posebnih motora započeta je uporedo s poizvodnjom čopera. U prve modele uglavnom su ugrađivani Trijumfovi „v-teck“ motori, pošto nije bilo moguće nabaviti druge, a kasnije se pojavljuju motori adekvatnijih dimenzija i veće snage koje je proizvodila firma „Harli Dejvidson“ i koji su ubrzo preuzeli primat, što i nije neobično s obzirom na to da su motori „Trijumf“ postepeno nestajali s tržišta, pa ih je bilo sve teže naći. Ali budući da je svaki proizvod podložan modernizaciji, ne treba se čuditi tome što se danas u proizvodnji čopera sve više koriste motori poreklom iz Japana, potpuno novog načina izrade i fantastičnih preformansi.

 

Vozači čopera ubrajaju se u najstrastvenije zaljubljenike u ova vozila. Za njh se kaže da su ljudi koji umeju da uživaju u životu i kojima je za zadovoljstvo potrebno jedino lepo vreme i otvoreni put. Kada se jednom „navuku“ na ovu vrstu vožnje, teško ih je odvratiti od toga i ubrzo vožnja čoperom postaje njihov stil života.

Love at the first ride

Choppers

 

 

Although they are a little unpleasant for the ears of passers-by, motorcycles look good and go even better – choppers draw attention wherever they appear. No matter whether we talk about “old school” or “new age” models; when a chopper rides in the street we can see curiosity on the faces of the watchers and delight and mild smile on the faces of riders.

 

 

  The name “chopper” originates from English word “chopper” (cut) and speaks by itself about the look of this kind of motorcycle. Having started by modification, remodeling and “cutting” of the existing model, this motorcycle type is an authentic appearance, which cannot be seen with any other kind of motorcycles. Its base and at the same time, the most noticeable part is a frame of unusual shape and also rather long front fork. The frame is elongated with very low-placed focus and without any masks and excessive protections. Regarding this, it was necessary to modify the fork as well, so it got a strange shape, too. What makes this motorcycle shape more interesting is lack of  hanging, more exactly, there is no suspension on the back wheel. That is one of the reasons why riding on a chopper is more jolting than riding on other types of motorcycle. The frame is elongated in order to fix the back wheel on it, and for focus being low-placed, with the fork of usual size  the chopper wouldn’t be only funny looking bike but one with bad, unpractical driving features.

 

 

Babblers

 

The chopper forerunners were so called “babblers”, first “custom made” bikes, which appeared in 40s and 50s of the last century. At first some individuals, who were familiar not only with mechanic but also were hands with processing materials. Both models, chopper and babbler, have a mutual trait and that is aspiration for minimalism at building, that is, removing all necessary parts for riding. Despite that, these two motorcycle models differ one from another in a very important way, Thou they were modified, babblers, like choppers, kept the same factory frame which hadn’t been changed by remolding. On the other side, at chopper making the frame is being cut to become lighter and lower, and afterwards it is weld and modeled in a more modern way.

 

 

Traditional choppers

 

Traditional choppers appeared in America in the 60s of the last century. After coming home, war veterans were looking for amusement and excitement and came to the idea of turning factory bikes into lighter, more attractive and funnier models, having gained know-how skills at the army. That is how series of numerous variations and chopper models started. Making front wheel smaller and back wheel bigger, replacing big factory mirrors by smaller ones, building smaller fenders in, modifying the pipes of an exhaust – these are some of the modifications the skillful boys did on their engines. One of the most standard modifications was about the rails used as a support for assistant driver, which was obligatory for each motorcycle to have, according to American laws then.

 

 

Modern choppers

 

Things are different when we talk about modern choppers. They are not made by enthusiastic craftsmen but by companies dealing with modification of the existing motorcycle models. These companies produce serially so-called “thematic” engines, with standard modifications, and the most significant one is the use of chromium. Whether it is about original or changed parts, big or small, placed on a noticeable or unavailable place – chromium parts have become the landmark of modern choppers. Their recognizable parts are also the levers for controlling the vehicle, and their models differ one from the other. On some choppers they are elongated, so the driver is able to operate the motorcycle from “reclined” position, while on some models the levers are a little shorter, and the driver, leaned forward, is always in so-called “fast” position while driving. In spite the differences, all chopper models have mutual fact that chopper load with unnecessary attachments has been reduced to minimum. For that, there are mostly only palm handles, clutch and brakes on the levers and also miniature rear-view mirrors (though, there are choppers without them at all). Likewise, their common characteristic is big span between the levers, which gives driver a better control over motorcycle.

 

 

Chopper culture

 

The companies producing choppers today often call them “custom made” motorcycles. The best-known companies producing these motorcycles are: “West Coast Choppers” “Falcon Motorcycles”, “Von Dutch Kustom Cycles”, and the most popular among them, “Orange County Choppers”, the company which expended “chopper culture” all over the world over “Discovery” channel. By powerful and marked look with chromium and shiny details, choppers draw attention of the surroundings, whether they are at some of numerous motor gatherings or just cruising through the city. Although they are regarded as engines of high esthetic, choppers are not only motors to be shown but they have excellent driving qualities. Having a powerful engine, these urban cruisers can develop very high speed and they behave perfectly on an open real road. Their disadvantage is weaker control at lower speeds and they are rather difficult to drive at curves.

 

 

Ever-burning passion

 

The mentioned defects have been compensated by numerous advantages these motorcycles have. The strength of the engine and high number of horse powers speak for themselves. Building special engines in started together with chopper production. “Triumph” “v-tech” engines were built in the first models, because it was impossible to provide the others, but later, the engines of more adequate dimensions and greater power appeared. They were made by “Harley Davidson” company and they soon took priority, which was not unusual because “Triumph” engines were gradually disappearing from the market, so it was difficult to find them. As every product is succumbed to modernization, it is not surprising that the engines from Japan are used in chopper production, having completely new way of making and fantastic performances.

 

Motorcycle drivers count as most passionate fans of these vehicles. They are said to be the men who know how enjoy life and who need only nice weather and open road for their pleasure. When they are once “hooked” to this kind of driving, it is so hard to dissuade them from it and quickly chopper driving becomes their lifestyle.

Autor: Bojan Mitrović

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