Motorcycles and Choppers

The Motorcycles and Choppers Channel explores how these machines are built and customized. Learn all about motorcycles and choppers at HowStuffWorks.

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The 1951 Vincent HRD Series B Rapide motorcycle was in its day among the world's fastest. A unique feature of this motorcycle is that the components were bolted to each other instead of the frame. See pictures and learn about the Vincent HRD Series.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The British-built 1961 Velocette Venom motorcycle was a 100-mph single-cylinder bike. The motorcycle was capable of reaching such high speeds because of the large 500-cc cylinder displacement. See pictures and learn about the Velocette Venom.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1984 Honda Nighthawk 700S motorcycle filled a gap between sport and standard motorcycles. It had many of the same features of these two styles of motorcycles but it failed to find a true audience. Learn how and see pictures of the Honda Nighthawk 700S.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1998 Honda Valkyrie motorcycle used a flat-six to out-power competing cruisers. The engine displaced 1520 cc that featured individual carbs for each cylinder. Check out more information and pictures of the Honda Valkyrie.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Though a beautiful machine, the 1915 Iver Johnson motorcycle lacked horsepower. The motorcycle used a V-twin that displaced 1020 cc, which was far less than the other V-twins of the era. Find more information and view pictures of the 1915 Iver Johnson.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1964 Vespa Allstate Cruisaire was a U.S. version of the iconic Italian scooter. The frameless chassis housed a two-stroke engine that was efficient and perfect for city use. See pictures and learn about the Vespa Allstate Cruisaire.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1969 Honda Dream 305 motorcycle combined power with convenience. It could reach nearly 100 mph with its powerful 305-cc overhead-cam twin-cylinder engine. Read about this important Honda and see pictures of a real dream machine.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1975 Honda CB400 motorcycle was affordable technically advanced and deceptively quick. Although it wasn't the fastest bike, the small-displacement four-stroke was much quieter than two-strokes. Learn more and see pictures of the lean 1975 Honda CB400.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1942 Indian 741 and Indian 841 motorcycles were designed for military use in World War II. This motorcycle featured a hand-shifted three-speed transmission and foot-operated clutch. See pictures and learn about the Indian 741 and 841.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1975 Triumph Trident motorcycle was tweaked for American tastes but fell to Japanese rivals. The bike kept the same three-cylinder engine but it was slower and more expensive than Japanese imports. Find info and pictures of the 1975 Triumph Trident.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1980 Honda CX500 motorcycle wasn't pretty but it got the job done. The bike featured a 500-cc water-cooled engine that used pushrods rather than conventional overhead cams. Find out how and see pictures of the reliable economical 1980 Honda CX500.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1976 Triumph Bonneville motorcycle held to tradition against low-cost Japanese bikes. Unfortunately the influx of high-performance Japanese motorcycles cut into sales of this model. Find info and pictures of Britain's 1976 Triumph Bonneville.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1981 Honda CBX motorcycle was an excellent bike in search of an audience. Most of the competition was lighter and faster which made this bike appear to be all show to the racing crowd. See pictures and learn more about the 1981 Honda CBX motorcycle.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1983 Honda CX650T motorcycle was a turbocharged wonder but led to a technology dead end. This bike was the world's first turbocharged motorcycle that made many insurers nervous. Find out why and see pictures of the 1983 Honda CX650T.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1997 Ural motorcycle was essentially a reproduction based on parts from different BMW models. The styling if the Ural is crude but the motorcycle and sidecar could be purchased for a cheap price. See pictures and learn about the Ural motorcycle.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1952 Triumph Thunderbird helped make Marlon Brando "the wild one." Triumph was looking to emulate the demand for large powerful bikes when they originally designed this model. See pictures and learn about the 1952 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The Executioner is a fire-spewing chopper built for the Discovery Channel's Biker Build-Off. Assembled in just nine days, the Executioner boasts one major customization: a "head" light that spews flames from its gaping maw.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1940 Indian 440 motorcycle was an expensive bike for its era at a price of $1,000. The engine it used turned out to be a failure for Indian due to the frequent overheating problems. Find more information and pictures about the 1940 Indian 440.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1946 Indian Chief motorcycle in "Indian Red" was popular with postwar buyers. This model was similar to other prewar Indians and featured a 74-cubic-inch flathead engine. See pictures and learn more about the striking 1946 Indian Chief.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1965 Triumph T120 Bonneville had unit construction and a compact design. These motorcycles featured 650-cc engines that were capable of reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour. Check out info and pictures of the 1965 Triumph T120 Bonneville.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1953 Indian Chief motorcycle was the final Indian model and is highly collectible. It featured a V-twin that was considered outdated but was coupled with a more modern ignition system. Check out pictures and information on the 1953 Indian Chief.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1969 Honda CB750 changed motorcycling forever. It featured an inline four-cylinder engine with single overhead cam four carburetors, prominent four-into-four exhaust and 67 horsepower. See pictures of this groundbreaking motorcycle from Honda.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

The 1967 Triumph T100C Tiger was a popular bike for on- and off-road. This bike featured a smaller fuel tank headlight and high-mounted twin tail pipes which were designed for off-road riding. Find info and pictures of the 1967 Triumph T100C Tiger.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

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The 1970 Triumph Tiger 650 motorcycle was a better everyday bike than the Triumph Bonneville. The Tiger used the same basic engine as the Bonneville but featured a smaller carburetor for easier starting. See pictures and learn about the Triumph Tiger 650.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide

Chopper Baby has a 93-cubic-inch engine that's designed to look like a 1950s Harley-Davidson. It features 18-inch-over Redneck springer forks set at an incredible 52-degree rake. See photos and specifications for this radical ride.

By the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide