Comments on: American Chopper Reality TV Show. It’s Over On February 11th.

By: just another person

just another person — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:02:13 +0000

At first the show was interesting. Then the people involved got too full of theirselves. I’m glad it’s over. This was too much drama, even for a man’s version of a soap opera. Need a kleenex? Not me. Jr. sucks and is too full of himself. man get a life

By: T.C

T.C — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:10:31 +0000

Sorry Guy’s, better luck next time around if they let you have another time around.

By: American-V magazine

American-V magazine — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:13:04 +0000

Should have quit while they were ahead: it had a sell-by date that expired long ago, and its departure from the schedules would have made space for something else to continue the evolution of interest in custom motorcycling in a much more positive vein.

Lesson for the future: don’t milk something just because it’s successful, leave them wanting more.

By: hellraiser

hellraiser — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:42:07 +0000

anybody that is saying that occ is good for the industry needs to get the f*ck off this site and start following your local hog chapter site . Anybody that is in the industry knows they fu*ked up our industry , whored it out and made it uncool and lame . Thanks alot you stroid monkeys

By: CD

CD — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:11:17 +0000

Wow, I read through all of the posts above and found myself considering the following: It is strikingly interesting that the comments posted by those who “dislike” OCC are crudely expressed, and with utterly poor skills, too.

These folks seem to be practically illiterate individuals who advance thoughts with no grounds to base their “opinion” or speculation; they demonstrate no aptitude to substantiate a qualified or reasonable judgment.

However, what’s shown is a conspicuous limitation and lack of depth in understanding and appreciating the impact OCC and the series American Chopper had and will, hopefully, continue to have on American culture.

There were many thoughtful, positive remarks expressed with profound insight. But, the insular comments clearly stem from ugly jealousy.

By: Jim C

Jim C — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:35:53 +0000

Curt-Neither and LOL,I can appreciate the fact that everyone has a right to their opinion including me. It is just that I have more facts than opinion about this subject so I try to bring the facts out rather than some of the other stuff I have seen stated as if they were facts. Not just from you but where ever I have seen them. I am not a Paul,just someone who WORKS for a living and know a thing or two about OCC and the Limited Edition Production bikes and the parts side of the business.

By: Curt!

Curt! — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:19:51 +0000

JimC,
Am I talking to senior, or junior? I just love the way you refer to the “Haters” out there trying to tear down the world of custom motorcycle building. Since when is this a country of one, single, opinion? I guess I don’t know what country you are posting from, but I’m assuming you are an ‘mercan. I have opinions on what I like, what I know, and my opinion. If you don’t like me having the freedom to voice “MY OPINION” on a blog, go the fuck somewhere else.
Just my .02

By: Jim C

Jim C — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:54:13 +0000

I am happy to see so many people speak up for OCC and American Chopper. It is sad to see people bashing and hating and all of the negativity that brings to the industry as a whole. American Chopper brought motorcycle into the mainstream and that is something that has been needed for a long time.
OCC as a company also has done and continues to do a lot of charity work. They have contributed millions of dollars for many,many different charities,which is more than I can say for a lot of the bashers.
Curt,do you even read what you write?
“But I think the show did more to damage to motorcycling’s image than a whole passel of 1%ers could do. The whole idea that you could buy into being a biker just because you had a bankroll was pitched by this show week after week. It degraded the idea that you had to love motorcycling, to want to ride enough that you would give up something to ride, to have passion to ride. All you had to do to be a biker was to plunk down enough cash, buy a full set of leathers, a few t-shirts, and you were in, Baby! These people lied to their viewers , that you had to pay your dues, make your way up through the ranks, and gained respect along the way.”
You make it sound as if someone must earn the right to ride and if you haven’t paid your dues by being in the dirt for decades then you have no business being on a bike. I can appreciate you taking pride in what you may have gone through over the years but come on. And as far as how the bikes are built,there was a time where a certain frame company was furnishing frames to OCC and from what I saw and heard,the welds and straightness of the frames were a continual problem until they started making their own frames or the ones they get from Rolling Thunder are very good as well.I have not seen the problems that you speak of when talking about the Limited Edition production bikes that they are currently selling retail. As far as some of the TV bikes-have you ever considered the time frame that they were forced to build them in? I mean they would take a couple of weeks to build something that a lot of you haters would have to spend 6 mos to a year to do. Unfortunately there are certain things that will not be perfect and there is always someone who is going to point out those small things whereas the rest of the bike is pretty good. I have looked at new Harleys that had imperfections in them.
Anyway,there are those who know the difference and understand what has happened and there are those who have no clue. I am not happy to see it canceled and i hope that a channel like Speed would pick it up. I too,enjoy watching the imagination and thinking outside the box.

By: 1 DWB

1 DWB — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:21:35 +0000

I YHOUGHT THE SHOW HAD TO MUCH DRAMA ANYWAY ie TO PHONEY SEEEEEE YA

By: The Producer

The Producer — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:21:27 +0000

I didn’t watch it other than two episodes I caught while recovering in the hospital after beaking my foot a couple years ago. But I can say they did a lot to bring awareness to the Custom Bike building world.

When I tell non riders that I produce a weekly radio show covering the world of motorcycling and biker lifestyle and we interview Custom Bike Builders the first words out their mouth is: Oh like OCC or West Coast choppers?

I always respond with yes and then quickly add the builders we bring on have been arround longer and are better known in the biking world and go on to introduce them to the many non TV types.

So in the end OCC has done a lot to introduce non riders and past riders to the world of custom bike building and that my freinds was a very good thing.

By: Dylan

Dylan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:12:44 +0000

Wow. Haters on and all. Those who can do. Those who can’t bitch about it on a blog.

By: John Riley

John Riley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:41:35 +0000

Everyone agrees. The show was like Nascar. An advertising ploy. The race is what they do after they cash the checks. It wasn’t about how well you could build a bike. Just about how much air time you could get for the advertiser. Great concept. Ran it’s coarse. Now it’s over. The Pauls will continue to profit from this for years to come. It’s called syndication.

By: Curt!

Curt! — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:48:27 +0000

Jim C.
I don’t recall mentioning Tim Hanlon in my post, but you find it necessary to defend him as if I have attacked him. For the record, I don’t know him, and have nothing against him. What i do have is 35 years in the industry, and I know what I like and don’t like, Sort of like assholes, everyone has one. I do like Arlen Ness’ builds, I don’t like anything WCC ever put out. I do like Kustom Kulture bikes, not a fan of anything OCC has ever done. I like the work Zero Engineering does, but not a fan of American Choppers. You get my drift, here? I like people who build quality bikes. I’ve seen examples of all of these builder’s machines, so I have an opinion about them. I personally saw the OCC Miller Welder bike. The welds on the bike looked like stuff I turned out in high school. For Christ’s sake they had CRIMP CONNECTORS on the wiring. The oil tank fittings leaked. You could see sanding marks in the paint. There was a raw steel wheel spacer. No chrome, or even rattle can aluminum. There were lots of other flaws that I can’t recall right now. I felt really bad that anyone had spent money on such a piece of crap. So trash me if you like, Jim C. ,your just lumping yourself in with them.

By: HDMIKO

HDMIKO — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:41:22 +0000

Say what you will but the guys from OCC were good for the industry. There are some very jealous people who post here, some of which claim to be custom bike builders who really just bolt on parts to a Daytec or Rolling Thunder frame. In the last few years OCC built their own frames and many of the parts that they needed to complete a build. I sold my HD dealership in 06 after 30 years of service in the V-Twin industry and when OCC first aired in 2003, there was a serge in business. I remember the mid 70s and Earley 80s, and you felt lucky to have a customers walk threw the door. How many of you can say that? So stop the relentless bashing and go contribute something to this industry that you supposedly care so much for.

By: Boss Hawg

Boss Hawg — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:17:39 +0000

Tim…quite well aware of your actions as you have told me many many times, however, we will not broadcast them here. Clear your head Brother….think back a couple years and you will remember. All the best and I hope you and Mike are doing very well.

As for Egotripp Gregg…keep on toking and smoking that shit that makes you think those wheels are hot stuff.

Boss Hawg

By: ODee

ODee — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:02:50 +0000

I too cringe any time i see an innocent kid in O.C.C. gear, but it’s a start. Way better than them wearing another Spiderman or Pokemon shirt. At least OCC’s exposure got them leaning in the right direction! Once you have their attention, then you can properly educate them. Whatever the motivation. OCC did do a lot of charity bikes, and they also exposed a lot of people to the bike industry. While I found the B.B.Off’s, and W.C.C. shows to have more substance, not everyone is as hard-core as some of you! I personally hate R.U.B.s, but I know someone appreciates the money these posers bring to the industry, and the more bikes, parts, appearal, etc. that these idiots buy, the cheaper it is for the rest of us!

By: nicker

nicker — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:47:51 +0000

RE:
“…’m going to miss watching parts made to fit with a uni-bit and other ham fisted workmanship…”

Good catch……….. !!
(i missed that one)

So, apparently there were things to be “learned”… …….
(by watching the “Learning Channel”)

Got-a remember that…. now where’s my hammer???).
-nicker-

By: Larry Evans

Larry Evans — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:36:14 +0000

No matter what you think of these guys you have to appreciate what they have done for the industry. The press and marketing surrounding this show has helped us all. Yes, I was in MB several years ago and saw the kinds of amazing treatment these guys gave their fans, but I am grateful that there show helped boost our industry. Even if it was for a little while.

By: Lyle

Lyle — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:07:36 +0000

I liked the direction the show took since the kids quit. I thought there was too much drama with them included and couldn’t help but wonder how a business owner could put up with staff coming to work late, taking off early, not showing up, and not even interested in their core product. I’m sure some of what I saw on the show was over dramatized and it certainly gave the show ratings. But now the show is more about a serious business, ratings have fallen. I wish them luck. Something tells me Paul Sr. is more of a savvy businessman than the show lets on to and they will weather the storm.

By: Texican

Texican — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:06:37 +0000

Greg hello, very clever trying to prod me into some verbal jousting with Mr Boss Hawg. The deal is I refuse to enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed man. He has the right to his opinion no matter how ignorant and inappropriate.

By: ian

ian — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:37:44 +0000

47 comments so far……well that cant be bad!

Like my fellow Brit Blue above, In some ways its a shame – I used to really enjoy it in the early days – but i never really loved the bikes. Apart from Biker Build off and Build or Bust, both of which are a rarity on UK TV, this signals the end of mainstream TV’s flirtation with the custom bike scene, and that is sad – I have often had to use OCC as a common reference point with non-biking people to describe my interest……”its like American Chopper but my bikes are different”…….LOL

By: H.D. Rider

H.D. Rider — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:23:20 +0000

I enjoyed the show back when the built most of the parts from scratch. sadley the only winners will be the Lawyers.

By: Olive Oil

Olive Oil — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:19:00 +0000

I’m a bit worried about Nub or was it Nob. What will happen to him????

By: just my opinion

just my opinion — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:51:57 +0000

max
Feb 9th, 2010 at 7:00 am
Several years past I remember a customer that had stood in a long line w/ his “challenged (slow)” son to get a T-Shirt and when he got to the front of the line and bought the shirt Paul Sr. refused to sign it. REFUSED!
Paul Sr. is a parasite on the biz and the shiteous quality of his bikes brings down the industry in general. A$$hole

Max I am not sure who you are or if your story is true but I have seen just the opposite at the Black Hills HD the dealer in rapid city [ sturgis ] I am a vendor and no I don’t think OCC is so great but I did see this with my own eyes and was impressed because they did not have to do it.
What I saw was all the OCC crew was leaving for the day and were already in their trucks when a man wheeled his kid up to their booth. Paul Sr. got out and ordered his crew out told them to get in the trailer and get some shirts out and Sr. and Jr. and Mikey signed those shirts that they gave to that kid. Sr. may be an asshole at times but he too does some good things every now and then. It makes for a good time to bash OCC but some of what people claim is total Bull Shit. Like it or not these guys have had an impact on this market, more so than most of the bashers ever will.

By: johnny

johnny — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:13:36 +0000

fxxk those assholes …………………