The late '60s and early '70s were clearly the chopper's heyday, and they seemed to bring new innovation in motorcycle construction, safety, or maintenance each week. This was the climate in which STREET CHOPPER was born. In the February '73 issue, it was clear that we had comfortably taken hold of the grips, leading the way for chopper lovers everywhere.
The February issue offered a variety of articles on advancements that were just making their way onto the chopper scene. We introduced the new Santee Adjusta-Glide frontend, which featured a reverse glide, or what is known today as an inverted frontend. The Adjusta-Glide offered a safer, cleaner look and greater riding flexibility than past glide frontends. This year we also saw the very beginnings of the custom wheel trend. "A revolutionary new idea has been created," our article on the first successfully built five-spoke wheel declares. "It was only a matter of time until someone came up with custom wheels [for motorcycles] since they have proven so popular in the automotive industry." We tested the Invader Wheel Company's five-spoke against Harley's popular wide 16, and it proved to be almost four times stronger, making for a sturdy and attractive wheel. We also addressed the safety of the gooseneck frame this issue, which again was a fairly new product to the custom motorcycle market. The article discussed how a gooseneck frame could considerably change a bike's stress points and went through the steps of a full bike build based upon a gooseneck frame.
Our featured choppers this month included a handsome pair of bikes that were made in Japan and rebuilt in America, and although your "First Impression" of another one of our featured bikes, a Honda 750, might be one of amusement, you can't ignore this pink pearl's craftsmanship. For American purists, Kenny Papa's version of an East Coast Sportster certainly took the prize for most chrome goodies.
As you can see, February 1973 was an exciting time for chopper lovers everywhere. Now, over 30 years later, we have reached another high point in chopper popularity, and new advancements are popping up around every corner. Turn back to Time Tripping next month to see just how far we've come, and what we owe to the past.