Difficult to believe that the Teutels are returning to The Learning Channel for a 6th season of “American Chopper”. Like it or not, it is the proof that they still have a very large audience. Trust me, TV channels are not in the charity business and only go to programming bringing a big audience = commercial advertising money. Personally, I am a little bit surprised, but not completely because I still meet in shows some “bikers” who think that what they see is “real life” and that the OCC bikes are very cool. I thought that the public would be tired of their antics and would have decrypted their scripted fake dramas.
The press release I received states that “The new season documents the growing pains as OCC continues to expand in a challenging economy, as well as the evolving relationship between Paul Sr., his sons, the extended Teutul family and their OCC staff”. Wow! Are they going to be bailed out? I can’t wait! And you? By the way, what happened with their production bikes and dealer network? (I want to add that, even with my comments, Paul Junior is still friendly with me, and I appreciate). American Chopper
I HEARD OF THOSE GUYS .. DONT THEY SELL TSHIRTS AT WALLMART AND KMART , AND PEOPLE BY THEIR STUFF AND WEAR IT . THEN ASK IF YOU EVER SEEN THE SHOW ? CRAAAP!!!
Oh crap. This should be an interesting read in a few days.
Another sign of the apocalypse. Fuckin clowns
THEN TYPE IN CAPS BECAUSE YOU DONE KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO USE THE KEYBOEARD YOU ASS….
Like them or not, everyone seems to have watched their show and know about them. You gotta give old man Paul credit. He’s a better businessman than 99% of the mom and pop chopper shops.
i agree – their global success is phenomenal – i couldnt believe the last show i watched when i saw the size of their new HQ building it was like an airport terminal.
I suspect it will be ultimately unsustainable – they will run out of companies to build their cartoon (in the true sense of the word) customs for, Paul Jr will just get so bored he moves on to NASA, and Mikey will get a job in a circus – and Paul Sr will take over from Jerry Springer.
And i wish them well.
I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned by OCC’s success. I just don’t know what they are.
Yawn!
Over & Out,
Jeff
It’s a true case of marketing an image rather than attitude or smoke and mirrors versus substance. They spent a truckload of money to make their first mockumentary and in true Hollywood fashion DC bit their hook and offered them a regular gig. Good job at marketing at the right time. Their huge expansion I think will eventually be their downfall, just no market for huge dollar cookie cutter so called “custom” production bikes like they want to build, even in their production line. Sub-standard parts for ultra high dollars just doesn’t sell anymore. My experience is most people want to spend money on bikes they can actually ride, something OCC has yet to produce.
My life is ruined first no Easter Bunny, then no Santa, biker flicks are mythical, now word is that the Tuttles are faux . life just sucks.
give the dudes a break for obvious you jerks would all love to be in their limelight. they came from nowhere and became awesomely rich in a few years…yes with a lot of help from the media. but from all of your comments you obviously watch the program!!!!! dedicatedly and with all the trash talking you do im sure you even have a nice little collection of their t-shirts too!
SO’
Ok, so they have had great tv and marketing success, that’s awesome. Instead of knocking them for the not so great bikes and lame tv show. We should be patting them on their back for it. They have helped make custom motorcycles mainstream. I have had people buy parts, bikes and t shirts just because they got intruduced to the world of custom bikes from OCC. I thank them for helping build awareness to people that never would have bought a bike had it not been for the tv show.
I am sure I am not the shop owner that has profited from their show. I am glad they have made milions on toys,trinkets and whatever other junk gets marketed with the OCC label. It makes us all money, the average viewer can’t afford their bikes but he or she can afford mine. They can’t call up OCC and talk with the owner, but they can get me on the phone and help them with their latest want and need to have it now request. They just saw it on tv and want one too. Thank you OCC!
So the lames out their that watch the show are the same guys that buy parts from me daily. I am sure there are many other mom and pop shops that have profited too.
Gabe Larkins
The parts that are used on the production bikes are NOT sub-standard parts but are the some of the best on the market and include S&S,Baker,RC Components,Mean Street,Danny Gray,Metzler,Ness,Headwinds,Rolling Thunder,HHI,Accutronix,Primo,ect.
Someone asked about dealer network and yes we are still out here. Sales are slow but they are slow within the entire industry. OCC production bikes will be around while others have dried up and gone away. Hellbound,Iron Horse just to name a couple of well known brands. I would not be surprised if Big Dog is one of those names in the next year or so. Personally,I hate seeing these companies go away. I wouldn’t mind seeing a company like Jireh or Demons go away as they give the whole industry a bad name. Now there is sub standard parts at high prices and we as Americans are stupid enough to buy from these companies because they are cheaper than quality parts.
Everyone has their opinion about OCC,good and bad. The guys from OCC are not perfect but who is? Gabe is one of those people who looks at the whole OCC thing through realistic eyes as the whole OCC and/or WCC thing has helped all of the dealers and manufacturers in the industry. Most of the people that dog OCC do so because of jealousy. As far West Coast Choppers-seems like he has clothes in Wal Mart,ect and yet you never see any one dogging him for doing so. Hell,just a few weeks ago,JJ told the average every day guy w,who can’t afford a WCC build,to go somewhere else to get the parts they need to build their bike. What a hypocrit. And I like JJ.
Sounds like some feelings got hurt again I apoligize .
No one can explain it to me so I don’t understand, sorry. Where have I heard that.
GOT TO GO ! Moms calling.
Ditto gabe Marty Behan
Hey Jim C, just because a lot of people are picking on your OCC company why do you find is necessary to poorly comment on other manufactures “I would not be surprised if Big Dog is one of those names in the next year or so.”
Then you had to add this ridiculous comment, “OCC production bikes will be around while others have dried up and gone away.” Based on WHAT?
I don’t even want to hear your response because your experience level does not merit any quality.
PLEASE NOT AGAIN
To echo Rodent!
So.
They are the only mainsteam tv show out there to keep the custom world in the spotlight during this downturn of interest in the hobby. They should be appreciated.
Well , where to start? I did enjoy the 1st season when they focused on Paul Sr backround as a metalworker and showed alot of the heavy iron working tools they had. As it went on though more and more machine made parts, made by other people and topped off with over the top paint jobs. And the focus went more and more to the arguing and deadlines and less and less on the bike building. Personally I always liked the Jesse James shows(motorcycle mania) and biker build off series much more. Soooooooooooo I don’t watch it anymore.
And to the comments made by the shop owners, I agree about creating customers for us, however, not that this is what you were saying. but OCC doesn’t deserve all the credit. I think Jesse James and Hugh King deserve more credit for mainstream popularity than OCC but that is just my opinion.
And for a good laugh, how many times has this happened to all of you out there. Some relative who just knows that you like bikes gets you some sort of OCC gift for Xmas or b-day. With a sigh and a chuckle you are like thanks and inside you are either “I’m not wearing this or Well, this is a work shirt” or what ever.
The other interesting conversation that OCC gets me into is when I show up somewhere on a bike and someone who doesn’t ride or know the first thing about a bike starts some conversation with me and says ” Hey do watch that OCC show” I simply smile and say no and stare at them. And nobody has ever known what to say back to me after that.
The last funny thing that is often said to me is when someone finds out that I build bikes they are always quick to say ” like they do on OCC” and again I smile and say No. It does make me laugh though.
It is America and they can do what they want but I don’t care about there show. I can’t believe that the biker build off series ended and that OCC is still around..
Later
The Teutels came to Australia a year or so back and put on a pretty lame show thanks to their Aussie promoters who wouldn’t know a motorcycle if it bit them on their fat asses. However, the bulk of their fans, just like in the US, were kids who had dragged mom and pop along to see them. The shining faces and sparkling eyes of those kids reassured me that the future of custom bike building, of choppers, bobbers and every kind of personalised two wheeler was safe. OCC did it for money, sure, but the spin off is something everyone in the V-Twin industry has benefited from. Ten years from now, interviews with leading customizers of the day will elicit stories of being inspired by the Teutels.
Excellent point Doc Robinson. Hate to admit it though.
Like they say any publicity is good publicity!!
Many of the bike builders will have sold Motorcycles to people in the land of look and see that first got their exposure to cusom motorcycles through OCC (they are not Choppers cause they are not Chopped bikes !!!period).
Everyone would like to denie it but millions have exposure to Disccovery chanel.How many Joe citizens go out and buy “Heavy Duty”,”Iron Works”, Easy Rider,Biker or the ”Horse” magazines.????????
Naff all!!
I look upon it as the Archie Bunker show of Motorcycling and enjoy it on those grounds only.
That only leaves the questions,which ones Meat Head?.And why can’t we have some middle aged woman running through the set screaming like someone put petrol on her twinkie.
My apologies to Edith
James (Kiwi)
Well, OK, but:
RE:
“…Difficult to believe that the Teutels are returning to The Learning Channel …”
Exactly what is it that viewers are supposed to be learning….???
RE:
“…is often said to me is when someone finds out that I build bikes they are always quick to say ‘like they do on OCC’ …”
And there-in, Boys and Girls, lies the real tragedy of this story.
-nicker-
Makes me want to yawn, vomit, and scratch my ass all at the same time.
I tell you what people should think twice about OCC. OCC is in it for the fame and money if you really think it is for the love of the machine or even for the people think again. I have been riding & working on choppers and Harleys for over 30 years. Back in Sept of 2006 I was in a very bad motorcycle accident do to a so called custom bike builder or a wanta be OCC who built my inlaw a custom bike I took it for a ride and make a long story short it was not built right. I ended up in the hospital for 7 months 2 of those months on a ventilator to keep me alive. They did not know if I was goig to make it. To make a short story my wife e-mailed OCC and ask if they could send her a autograph picture of them so she can hang it up in my hospital room because I would never miss a bike program well guess what they e-mail her back saying they are just to busey. Now I am kind of handicap but alive. So I am one who can give a crap about OCC and their fake ways to help others. It my take me awhile but I will ride again some day I am going to build my own trike for the love of the machine not the fame not the money but for LOVE so I can be in the wind again.
R.I.P OCC
Heavy….
RE:
“… if you really think it is for the love of the machine or even for the people think again…”
You may have missed the point.
Don’t know anyone builder on this blog who thinks OCC is in it for anything but the $$$.
That isn’t the point.
The point of contention is simply this:
What value does OCC’s TV antics bring to “the Industry”….????
Some believe any TV exposure (positive or negative) generates interest & brings in customers.
Some believe that TV moronics makes all industry participants look foolish, simply by association.
BTW, sorry about your situation. Good luck.
-nicker-
All I hear from every single one of yall is BLAH BLAH BLAH….BLAH BLAH BLAH…Jesus Christ get over it they are back…stop makingthem even more of a monster and just stop talking about them. Let them disappear
It seems the show has gone from centering around bike building to the family issues. Go figure, TLC is a chick station (just look at the other shows)When it was on Discovery Canada, it was all about the machines. Now it’s a freakin soap opera and the bike building process gets a back seat.
And Paul Jr. just happens to get fired during the time they are filming the season opener? And Brittany Spears doesn’t lipsync either.
Keeps some writers employed I guess.