‘Hold fast, the Last of The True’ was scribed across a rider’s helmet as he sat waiting in the dust for his run on the dirt drags… Chopped 2015 was on!

Chopped is held in country Victoria, located on the outskirts of the hot-rod centre of the nation – Castlemaine. Chopped is for some an annual pilgrimage of hot-rod fanatics, rat riders, historic choppers, bobbers and rockers – it’s one of few opportunities for friends and foes to race like banshees on a quarter mile stretched dirt drag strip; just like the good old days.

The truly Australian dust and heat that day didn’t stop the large gathering of custom American, British and Metric classics bikes, each vehicle showing true grit – how real cars and bikes should be, as compared to how polished some cars and bikes can be in the custom car show scene. No space for glitz and glamour here, it’s a place to get wild, have a spill and enjoy some dirt.

There was a ton of choppers and bobbers that would fit right in with the iconic 60’s chopper classic ‘Easy Rider’ for a glimpse of what the original choppers would look like. There was a nice Yamaha XS650 that looked the part, running no front brakes or front fender, hardtail conversion, custom narrow ape hangers and king and queen seat.

Let’s not forget classic American. Similarly, a very classic chopper approach, a Harley running skinny front wheel, no front brakes or fenders, hardtail conversion, springer front end, custom pull back handle bars, custom king and queen seat.

There were plenty of custom cars to look at if bikes were not your type of thing, so if you’re passionate about unique, mean machines and the space to have a ton of fun, Chopped 2015 is the home for you.

Photography and words by Alen Le – @alanlep