From a very reliable source I got confirmation that Jesse James is closing for good West Coast Choppers.
I am also able to officially announce that all Jesse James motorcycle frames and parts will be now manufactured respectively by Daytec and Belt Drive LTD (BDL) and available to order through Custom Chrome.
(picture copyright and courtesy Jesse James for Cyril Huze Blog)
I think it’s sad. But Jesse James knows what he is doing and where he is going. Good luck to you.
At leasr we can still order some JJ parts. Does it mean that JJ is going to continue to design new parts sold by CCI?
Not very surprising
He’s got three kids to raise, & more important priorities. He’s a smart dude, making smart choices & knows what he’s doing.
Most certainly a force in the industry for years, & definitely not the last we’ll hear from him!
Take care, home boy.
I think that in this economy and withEPA & CARB in California it’s a mart move.
It had to be expected, since he’s been selling off so much stuff on ebay.
Good luck Jesse.
From personal experience and what other WCC customers have told me, this was long in coming. Cavalier customer treatment + premium prices doesn’t equal a lot of profit in this economy. Smart choices? He’s capitalized on his namesake that’s for sure, which was a smart piece of marketing, but recent history doesn’t point to a lot of intelligence, or class.
Cyril got the scoop and now all the magazines are scrambling to find out more. Ha, ha. I bet that jesse will continue to be involved in the industry, but now without the hassle of maintening a shop.
It’s very simple. Bike industry is suffering big time. He had no choice but to shut it down. He did not do this because he had a greener pasture lined up. Like many other dealers who had to close shop, he is doing this because the business down not turn a profi anymore. These are hard times in these industry !!!
Bring it to the eastcoast Jesse…
Is that his chick on the bike?? Because… BOING!!!
He moved to Austin, Texas and he’s building a life there.
Cyril, you didn’t share much info!
Good luck Jesse in whatever you do. You’ve been a terrific influence on the industry. Can’t wait to see what’s next…
since he owns Austin Speed Shop….. I am sure we have not heard the last of JJ. Maybe cars are the new chopper and central Texas is the new “west coast”.
Good Luck Jesse, I already own a couple of Austin Speed shop T’s so I think I know where you are headed. The new laws in California suck and that would not be good news for you or your business there and hopefully more of the builders there move on just like you. Best of luck JJ and look for you in Sturgis next summer and buy you a beer.
Gerry
Doubt that he shows up in Texas. Jesse who?
Wish you all the best Mr. James I am sure you aren’t done, just ending a chapter.
Mazz.
RE:
“…He’s a smart dude, making smart choices…”
????
-nicker-
nickers, you must know him better than me.
Never cared much for his stuff or the guy, but you have to admit he’sd built an awesome brand and has a huge following around the world. Best of luck Jesse. Hope everything works out.
Well the boys are right.Texas it is. And now my stash of WCC t-shirts will be worth a mint !!!
Do you think another business owner getting out of California and relocating to Texas tells you anything????
SSDD; David
Best of luck to you Jesse James. West Coast Choppers were super cool bikes that defined a certain look which in my opinion was the same language as Jesse James. Jesse was like a Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, John Popper, and so on…..Original and true to his style which was unique and is known at a glance as Jesse James’s work. Between the gov’t (EPA and Carb) and people choosing price over loyality to american jobs the aftermarket parts for bike industry is pretty much slim pickings. Hmmm should I buy the part by original american innovator or the forign import for a third of the price. Shame on us
Anyways…can’t wait to see what he does next. Speed Shop thing in Texas would be cool.
I hope Daytec does his frames right, he had the nicest Softail frame in the industry.
Keep your head up Jesse. Life is what it is. You win some and loose some and learn from loses. My ex wife, after 10 years being apart, came back and gave me a kidney and then moved back in with her boy friend. Who knows maybe something crazy like this will happen to you. I quit trying to figure out life. I just roll with it. Hit me up if you need to talk. I understand your situations.
As a person I really liked Jesse back in the day. He was a good guy, His work was pure, he liked it, had fun-gave a shit.
One talented and intense dude.
Then, well if you knew him you saw it.
As far as business-everyone knows the industry has not taken a dive-it’s taken a plummet.
That’s all I got-except to say-good luck-hope the years to come bring you true happiness and not a lot of crap.
Jake
The answer is in the picture, just look at your sad country as represented there.
Posturing, ridiculous, and fake.
Good riddance to another over-hyped idiot producing a pointless product.
@ Eric: Jesse’s partial ownership of A.S.S. is nothing new – it merely has received more press recently.
Hope Jesse succeeds both personally and professionally in his endeavors.
Come on people, lighten up on ol’ Jesse. He’s just an American boy who got lucky [in more ways than one, YUK-YUK!!]. He was in the right place at the right time [an’ maybe the wrong place at the wrong time too]. A Ying an’ Yang kinda thing. I think we all evenvied his success and identified with his shortcommings. WOOF, I wouldn’t mind doin’ some intense naked identifying with a few of those georgous tattoed fillies, if you know what I mean! Sure Sandra was nice and everything [maybe a little too nice for America’s bad boy] but she wasn’t his style. He don’t belong in a tailored suit fakeing a smile for the cameras as Mr. Bullock. He is more at home twisting the wick on some radical chopper. Good luck in Austin, I had the pleasure of living there for 20 years and I have fond memories of ridin’ in the hill country. Jesse don’t drink an’ niether do I any more and we will both tell ya life is a hell of alot better seeing it through clear eyes. Be true to your Spirt brother!! Wiz
Success belongs to those who know how to make the right moves at the right time. The custom motorcycle industry is closing an era of excess and moving in a new direction. Jesse is moving with it. Look at Cyril. Who would have thought he would create the most read custom bikes magazine. Just doing the right move before the others and many will try to follow…Good luck Jesse.
Everyone has said some Truth’s. I am sure Jesse aien’t about to Build his $100 Grand Bikes for $30 or $40, even though they aien’t worth a Dime more. If you want to analize Jesse, you have to figure that Money was hard to make in the beginning and he was never given that much when he was growing up. He certainally saw how your whole Life can change in 24 hours. Just look at the Oscar Photo’s and then the next day, when all the Tatoo’s came flying. He certainally has seen some pretty “Set” Dood’s Stuggling.now He isn’t going to let the Little Head do the thinking for the Big Head, anymore! I Don’t worry Guy’s he’s still going to Ride and sell T-Shirts.
i think this new is only the top of the iceberg .
IMHO ; Unka Jesse is now totally pissed-off about the star-system , taxes , laws,cops and all the rest .
no workshop : no worryes .
but i’m sure he will KEEP ON building great scoots !
just wait and see !
” to be happy : let’s live hidden ! “
Life is a long river with many turns. Jesse’s life is not different. I think he makes the appropriate turn to re-adjust his professional and personal life. Like others I agree that he will probably continue to be involved with custom bikes and cars.
A lot of folks seem to get jealous when somebody lives their own life and does as they please, and is willing to both walk away and towards different lives. I’ve done the same to some women as he has, and been hurt when it was done to me. Difference is none of them were famous or Oscar-winning (one did porno, though 😉 ) so it doesn’t count. Should it really matter to us what Jesse does in his personal life, good or bad. He’s just a man doing whatever he wants to, reaping rewards and paying the price. That seems to really kill some folks who probably wish they could/would/did the same in their own lives. It ain’t braggin’ if you can do it.
On the right of the picture it’s Bill Dodge (Blings Cycles) ex right hand of Jesse. It was shot at the beginning of WCC celebrity. A lot of history and nostalgia in this pic.
Cyril. I think you know much more about jesse’s projects. Tell us.
There has to be more to him moving to Texas, I will admit the Austin area was one of the best place in the state to live, it’s like an island in the middle of redneck land, the cops suck, the weather sucks, – to hot in the summer to cold in the winter, You go from running the AC directly to running the heater, sometime having to run both in the same day. They do call Austin the new LA because of all the high tech businesses but the wages suck too. You have people with advanced degrees working in a convience store for mInimum wage, no unions. Texas is a right to be fired state for no reason. The state has some real bad ass bikers, if he tries any of his I’m a bad ass crap here,- when in dought knock ‘um out- is a well known slogans here. I’ve heard through the grapevine he already has found that out. I’ve lived here since the early seventies and seen a lot of changes, at that time the east coasters were moving in, but liked the way things were and left them the way they were, layed back, old established businesses, great bars , lots of good looking hippie chicks, nude beaches on the lake, topless in Barton Springs, Great place to be a biker. Then in the mid eighties and the west coaster came in and started to shut things down, No more nudity at the lake except in one place and that place has turned homosexual, no more topless in the Springs, all the high tech crap because of the university of texas, Dell ,Samsung IBM AMD etc., every west coast franchise there is, west coast prices with Texas wages, putting out of business the old funky places. Toll roads that are owned by the country of Spain, asshole republican goveners..The place has turned to shit.. most of the old timers are moving out into the small towns in the hill country. Traffic out the ass, just like LA. worse driver in the state, just ask any trucker, Ugly fat gals and dudes everywhere. Flip flop wearers instead of cowboy boots, He and his pals will fuck Austin up a little more too..
What is the old saying:
“I may not have been born in Texas but I got there as soon as I could!”
With that said, from one native Texan to one of our newest citizens and now fellow Texan, I say Welcome Jesse!
Over & Our,
Jeff
Why is it that Jesse james goes out of business and Orange County Choppers is STILL in business. Something in this world is seriously wrong!
Smart choice seeing as how Arnold “the Governator” signed SB435 into law! i hope all shops close business in CA and relocate. Oh wait, they dont have to the states is driving them out of business. Our F’d up state deserves no less! Support your local “Hole in the Wall Shop”, no pun intended Spade George! haha and boycott your local HD dealer, they finally got what the wanted!
sorry, too many other shops out there turning out great bikes and raking in the money. He was part of the “Discovery Channel” explosion but he sure wasn’t the best builder out there. He is in the same book as the OCC folks to me.
Hey Zyon. If you don’t make the difference between OCC and Jesse James I prefer not to see your bike.
Will miss the no luv run, that was a blast. Hope cisco burger does okay..
End of the chopper/gangsta/beanie era. What’s next?
This setup picture will go in history as a symbol of the custom motorcycle industry in 2000.
Guess Jesse will have to crease the peak on his cap now.
Welcome to the lone star state.
Good Luck Jesse!! You’ve done very well….get back away from all the shit while you can and have some fun! Thanks for the great work you did on my bike back in the day….and I appreciated all the cool shit I’ve collected from west Coast Chopper. It was good to see you early this year, my husband respected the warm welcome thanks Jesse, Peace be with you…
RE:
“…you must know him better than me…”
No, only what’s published.
“…does as they please…… walk away and towards different lives…. does it really matter to us…. He’s just a man doing whatever he wants to,…”
What about the kids….???
The point is simply, how “smart” is that.
I guess the older ya get the more ya worry about the messes you leave behind.
( they usually catch up to ya over the long haul)
-nicker-
Slantartist = nickers, you must know him better than me.
I’m with you Jeff 100% – I’d hate to live my life believing everything because it’s ‘published’. Fools.
Goodluck and goodbye jesse……
In my view,one of the original and innovative guy with cool choppers.
Huge industry loss.
‘Huge industry loss.’.
For god’s sake, he’s not dead! Just scaling back and working how he used to do back in the day, something Jesse’s wanted to do for a while.
Sad Deal there…………………..At some point of life Good things always come to and end.
Best of luck
I miss the days before the internet (no offense Cyril) when news came to us via a magazine, newspaper or the occasional news cast. Then, when you learned of something, good or bad, you sat and discussed it with your friends and drew conclusions in face to face conversation.
In these days of internet news and anonymous posted responses its like telling something to a group of CB radio jockeys that are all trying to be heard. Everyone has an opinion they are willing to share, even if they have no substantiated basis for offering it. Just noise.
It is no secret to those in the industry that JJ and I have had ups and downs through the years, so I am prepared for the bashing that will come after i say this, but for god’s sakes, leave the guy alone. Who he marries, divorces, dates, builds a bike for, appears on a TV show, really, does it affect your life one bit? Does the fact that he either made a lot of money, or lost a huge deal affect what happens at your kitchen table at night? NO. same goes for all the other gossip-like comments made about everyone else when Cyril posts a story. Let people live their lives without your meaningless commentary.
If it doesn’t affect your livelyhood or your kids, leave it alone. Have an opinion on something? great. Write and article on whatever the topic is–aside from bashing people randonly on the internet–and submit it to Cyril or one of the magazines around the country and be heard. But say something besides I told you so, or I knew that would happen or if I were him I would have….because it is not you7. It didn’t happen to you. It is someone elses life and what you say may actually cause them hurt or their family hurt.
There are plenty of reasons to comment on a story. Like how did he make the fender arc like that? or what is supprting the gas tank? Who built those rims? how does that linked braking system work on a gravel road? things that matter and invoke some type of intelligent responses. Comments to draw out the tribal knowledge of the industry. A way to teach people what you know in a positive way.
As with everyone I have met and spent time with in this industry, I wish JJ nothing but the best because, like the custom industry itself, life is cyclical and we may be face-to-face again one day.
Howard
if ya’ll don’t know about the ATX, (Austin, Tx), then ya really don’t know much about one of the best places to live, work, play, alot of Bikes rolling our Hill country, and a Pro-Biker atmosphere and rodding community..Texas would be one of the BEST places for his crew to settle.
Jesse will have to change a lot of things by moving to Austin. The main change he will have to make….is his relationship with the Hells Angels. No more Red and White or 81 support gear down here homey, you are in Prime Bandido territory and you are in their home state.
“He’s got three kids to raise, & more important priorities. He’s a smart dude, making smart choices & knows what he’s doing.”
Wonder if that´s why he cheated on Sandra..
Well said Mr. Kelly. Glad your still reading and posting your insight. Best of luck to you and, of course, to Jesse as well.
Just my 2¢:
If Jesse James had been named Bob Jones or Joe Smith he’d be as unknown as the vast majority of bike builders. As with Billy Lane’s designs, I see nothing unique or original about any of James’ motorcycles.
The one and only thing he did worth noting (besides marrying Sandra Bullock) was to be the first to mass produce rounded steel fenders, which previously had to be fabricated by the builder.
Unfortunately the minute those fenders became popular James farmed them out to Taiwan, where they’ve been made ever since. That never sat well with me.
It’s only natural for fans of any celebrity to admonish those who criticize them, but bear in mind this is the web. The posting of opinions is the main function of blogs, forums & message boards.
Well put Howard! Whenever Cyril has had anything about Jesse on his blog, I’ve had to chuckle at how many add their commentary like they’re best buds with the guy, and they’ve likely never even shook his hand. On Friday night of the S&S 50th Anniversary celebration, while I was watching Micheal Lichter shooting one of my fellow competitor’s ( I think it was my buddy Skeeter’s) bikes, Jesse walked up beside me looking like he wanted to escape all the crazies. He stood there for no more than a couple of minutes and I couldn’t believe how many idiotic comments came at him from the drunks in the crowd. I felt like saying to him “In some ways I wish I was as good at marketing my work as well as you have, on the other hand I’m glad I don’t have to deal with this crap”. But I said nothing to him, I figured he wanted just a little peace and didn’t really feel like talking to anyone.
I’ve always enjoyed Jesse’s work and look forward to seeing more of it down the road. Thanks Jesse for your contribution to our industry.
Respect,
Doug Wozney
Somebody get Todd8080 some eyeglasses.
some of these comments crack me up. I read on another board … “what is Jesse gonna do without West Coast Choppers”…. umm, here’s a list
1. have fun NOT running a business
2. count his money
3. have the baddest garage in the neighborhood
4. build cars and bikes cuz he wants to, not cuz he has to
5. get the hell outta California (I did, it was liberating)
6. count his money
7. relax
8. being satisfied having built the WCC Empire and knowing when to get out, ahead of time.
9. oh, did I mention counting all of his money
10. He is living the dream we all want…. to wake up, eat breakfast, walk into the garage (skipping the crappy “having to go to work” part of the day) and building whatever the hell he wants to, on his schedule, for himself.
Are you freakin kidding me…. he is the smartest guy I know (even if I don’t really know him)…. Congrates JJ, you have succeeded in doing what 99% of us only dream of doing. Shit…. there’s my boss, back to work!
Eric
Here’s what I know about Jesse James…I’ve had bikes off and on since I was 14, but until I saw his first show I had only seen an English wheel in magazine pictures, didn’t know a planishing hammer from a sledge hammer, and couldn’t have cared less if California fell off in the ocean. What I saw was a kid ‘making things’ using tools that my grandfather used to make things, something we don’t do much in this country anymore. Watching Jesse turned me on to the other bike builders out there and the other craftsmen and women that make the bike and hot rod scene what it is. I got back into riding and working on bikes, due in no small part to watching that kid turn a flat piece of metal into a gas tank or a piece of pipe into a frame, and I’d rather ‘build it than buy it’ now. I appreciate him opening that door up again for me. I still don’t care if California falls into the ocean, but now I know there are lots of other great builders out in the world that would still be turning out some great rides. Good luck, Jesse James, whatever you do…
Sad day in the motorcycle world, but hey everyone is entitled to a private life. Even celebrities. Good luck Jesse James from Steeltown Choppers Blogspot.
We are pulling for you and yours, Jesse. Good luckwith it ALL.
Bud said: “Somebody get Todd8080 some eyeglasses.”
What am I not seeing or seeing incorrectly? Post the link to a photo of a WCC bike that’s unique and original (as in something that hasn’t been done before) and I’ll rethink my opinion.
Not posting such a link should be reason for you to rethink your opinion.
Here, I’ll help you. These are right from Google Image:
http://www.hawgsite.com/uploads/Custom%20Bikes/mm2000m6.jpg
http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10114000/10114391.jpg
http://www.classybikes.com/image_large.php?image_id=278111
http://2wheeltuesday.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/lindsayg_832x634.jpg
http://realityrollcall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/jessejames.jpg
http://3d-files.co.il/West_Coast_Choppers_Mattias_CFL/mattias_cfl_chopper_19.jpg
Maybe someone can point out the earth-shattering originality of these choppers, which I consider pretty run-of-the-mill.
Hey Jesse if your reading this, good luck in what ever you and really enjoyed seeing you at Cisco and BTW its the best burger in LA……….americans love a comeback kid so come back bigger and badder…………..now that your not busy get your ass over to England and get on that top gear tv show
LOL- Power is about who needs whom more- While Jesse is wildly popular and notorious, at this point in the dudes’ life, he doesn’t need anyone but his kids….
Like I say to my clients who get rich: Congrats, you made it, now walk away- you won!
good luck jesse. hope you don’t fall off the planet completely. can’t wait to see what is on the horizon. wish you and your family the best of luck in texas.
whatever
I wish Jesse all the best. He is a very talented guy.
Well the West Coast still has Sea World!!! C.F.L.
It’s about the cost of doing business in California versus such states as Nevada, Arizona and Texas (e.g.: tax breaks, incentives, etc.) who incidently have been attracting an untold number of businesses and industry from the Golden State (a.k.a.: California). The sherlocks in the state capital have ever been increasing taxes…in California we have the highest sales taxes, highest business taxes, the highest property taxes.,etc…what’s the incentive to continue to do business in California. It’s a matter of simple economics…owning a business that in this economy that no longer turning the profit it it once was, coupled with the fact of ever increasing taxes in the state of California, coupled with the barrage of bad local press (which I’m as a responsible parent doesn’t bode well for Jesse’ s kids), coupled with the fact that Jesse wants his daughter to have a continued relationship with Sandra (Bullock), coupled with the fact that he has bought an interest in the Austin Speed Shop…ding…ding…no brainer…head to Texas! Hook’em horns!
Shouldda stuck with his wife and not cheated on her.
The Day The Open Sign Is Finally Off, It’ll Be A Sad Day For Every Motorcycle Enthusist…….
good luck to you jesse
much love and respect
BILL DODGE
Heavy -…..
You missed the point regarding “smart.”
It’s simply this: a smart animal doesn’t soil it’s own nest.
-nicker-
Jesse,
Sorry to hear your selling everything, but we do what we have to do or want to do, I don’t really know your situation there. It’s really none of my business why your doing it, but I hope your successfull in getting out of it what you want for it. I really hope everything turns out alright for you, brother. I followed your shows for years and have had motorcycles all my life and enjoyed choppers.You’ve got heart, guts, and talent, Jesse and in all you endeavers keeps going, man where live leads you!
A good friend, C.A.H.
For those interested, Illusion Motorcycles in Westminster is an authorized builder/dealer for the WCC line of choppers.
I guess when i visit L.A. im gonna have to scratch west coast choppers of my list. Been there a few times, got some old shirts and stickers. Gonna miss ya Jesse! Good luck!
Is Cisco burger next to close????
Keep your head up Jesse
The guy is a prick, I have some of his parts on my bike because they are undeniably cool but the guy is a prick and he isn`t sitting around reading all your go Jesse go love letters. He has a magnetic personality and people love him. You love your parents too even when they treat you like shit! Let him go, more heros are on the way!!!
Oh and BTW, Bill Dodge rocks!!
Joder es muy triste que JESSE JAMES deje su empresa para siempre,siempre estaremos con tigo JESSE
from- D S D (WCC)
this has been very very sad
he taught me to live ,JESSE JAMES is a very big man
someday I’ll find you and I want to work with you
good luck
Sorry to see you go Jesse, I’m 48 years old and I can truly say I have someone to look up to. And that someone is you. I build bikes myself and just by watching you on you tube and the discovery channel I’ve picked up some good knowledge. Your bikes are like no other and they have the most radical look I’ve ever seen. I meant you back in 1997? at Daytona bike week before all the hype and the B.S. started in your life.
I’m a welder by trade and I can bend metal with the best of them. Maybe one day you’ll get back in the biz and be the best again, until then, take care of yourself and NEVER forget where you came from,
Brad,