Me and my riding buddies noticed this trend hitting critical mass about 3 years ago. So many "custom" assembly-line choppers. That was the same year another friend of ours paid 24K for a Texas Choppers Ironhorse.
They all look exactly the same--super-wide rear tire, exposed primary, stretch front.
Most of the riders I see on these even dress alike--designer jeans, sleeveless shirt, boots, chain wallet, headband, hair gel.
Lots of 20K+ bikes being sold for 10K or less all day now.