A
lowrider bicycle is a highly customized bike with stylings inspired by
lowrider]A lowrider is a car or truck which has had its suspension system modified so that it rides as low as possible. Lowriders often have user controlled height adjustable suspension...
cars. These bikes often feature a long, curved banana seat with a
sissy barA sissy bar, also called a "sister bar" or "passenger backrest" is an addition to the rear of a motorcycle that allows the rider or passenger to recline against it while riding...
and very tall upward-swept
handlebarHandlebars usually refer to the steering mechanism for bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and personal watercraft; the equivalent of a steering wheel. Besides acting as a steering mechanism, handlebars also may support a portion of the rider's weight, depending on his or her riding position....
s known as
apehangers. Excessive chrome, overspoked wheels and velvet are common accessories to these custom bicycles.
Lowrider bikes first appeared in the 1960s in America. It was started by 'Custom King' Sean Johnson who customized automobiles.
A
lowrider bicycle is a highly customized bike with stylings inspired by
lowrider]A lowrider is a car or truck which has had its suspension system modified so that it rides as low as possible. Lowriders often have user controlled height adjustable suspension...
cars. These bikes often feature a long, curved banana seat with a
sissy barA sissy bar, also called a "sister bar" or "passenger backrest" is an addition to the rear of a motorcycle that allows the rider or passenger to recline against it while riding...
and very tall upward-swept
handlebarHandlebars usually refer to the steering mechanism for bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and personal watercraft; the equivalent of a steering wheel. Besides acting as a steering mechanism, handlebars also may support a portion of the rider's weight, depending on his or her riding position....
s known as
apehangers. Excessive chrome, overspoked wheels and velvet are common accessories to these custom bicycles.
Lowrider bikes first appeared in the 1960s in America. It was started by 'Custom King' Sean Johnson who customized automobiles. Kids would copy his work on their bikes usually using common muscle bicycles, allowing those who were too young to drive a car to have a custom vehicle.
Schwinn was the first company to launch a muscle bike in the form of the Sting-Ray.
Sean Johnson was the first to customize the Sting-Ray and had them featured in the Munsters. Eddie Munster's bike was the must have item of the time.
Some make bicycles are particularly popular among lowrider builders. Most well known of these are the
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-produced Schwinn Stingray (usually 20", but 16" and even 12" Schwinn tigers are used) and in
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the continental mainland , the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans...
the
Malvern StarMalvern Star is a manufacturer of bicycles, located in Melbourne, Australia. It began in 1902, and went on to become a household name in Australia.-History:...
long frame dragsters and bratz beutie bikes. Another favorite of the period was the Iverson Dragstripper, which featured a long "exhaust pipe" body that gave it a distinctive look. The new lowrider trend is also related to the trend in
CruiserCruiser bicycles, also known as beach cruisers, combine balloon-tires, upright seating posture, single-speed mechanicals, straightforward steel construction — with expressive styling...
or
Beach Cruiser style bikes. Today, pre-built and even custom made one of a kind lowriders are available from Lowrider bicycle shops, Custom Chopper Bicycle Designers and even some Lowrider car workshops.
Some basic or classic characteristics of a lowrider bike are: Baby Daytons (like the car rims, they are overspoked and do not cross over each other) with white-wall tyres. Banana Seats, usually custom upholstery and a customized sissy bar. Ape or Schwinn type handlebars. Old school spring action suspension for the front forks known as "springer forks". Fenders both front and back. Sometimes a chain steering wheel is attached. Most accessories are highly polished chrome, however gold is also used for added flare though for economical reasons chrome is the standard.
Some lowrider bikes are modified into lowrider tricycles, allowing them to sit much closer to the ground while still being rideable, to hop without falling over if they have air bag or hydraulic suspension and given them extra carry space in the back. The space between the two rear wheels is often used to mount either a 2-seater "love seat", a "boom-box" or even pumps for hydraulic or air "suspension".
Some custom modifications include twisted forks, spokes or handlebars, what are known as "bird cages" (twisted metal strips that resemble a bird cage) that are cut and welded onto handlebars, sissy bars or pedals. Many of the bikes also feature custom frame work such as tanks and skirts which are the addition of sheets of metal, usually welded on, to the frame to give it a "filled-in" look. Some lowrider bicycles even have air or hydraulic cylinders set-up to emulate the
Height adjustable suspensionHeight adjustable suspension is a feature of certain automobile suspension systems that allow the motorist to vary the ride height or ground clearance...
of lowrider motor cars.