Cast Members of American Chopper & Where They Are Now

[@jimmyd6268]

Back in the day I loved to watch this show with my family. I’m not even American but it was still super popular all around the globe. Being like 12 years or so living in Germany and seeing “that last fight” kinda broke my heart after years of watching them and loving the bikes. I’ve always noticed the fights but it was hard for me to understand that they were pretty serious. I remember them having a closet full of new doors in case someone smashed another in… like usual. It had something comedic so I thought it was just like a side quest for entertainment purposes of the show. Sadly they had serious issues

[@tomarnold7284]

It was the first reality show I followed up, back when most dramas were not staged.

[@stevep7608]

Rick lives down the road from me. Had met him in town a few times here and there. Then was able to help him get the Pocono Harley shop up and running. Has to been one of the most down to earth people I’ve dealt with. All the best to Rick and his family.

[@Johnnyjonas274]

I believe it. He definitely gives off that vibe on the shows

[@mvl9591]

I met them at breakfast in Montgomery, NY. Very nice guy.

[@dannyp2896]

@Slim Dim some people need the likes 👍 hahs

[@johnnywishbone932]

He always seemed so cool.

[@user-wm2tw]

People like paul sr have two personalities. For outside people they come across as very nice but at home they are toxic and abusive.

[@EricBuenoo]

Definitely one of the few shows I never forgot about and still miss watching.

[@sargeatlarge24v]

Every episode is on discovery +, I used to watch it with my dad when I was a kid and now I do the same with my son. I hope they appreciate the impact they’ve had on so many people growing up watching the show

[@rwdplz1]

My father and I loved to watch this show together. We finally visited the shop in New York in 2012 and saw some of the bikes in person.

[@jlogan2228]

I remember episodes where paulie and vinnie would be working on a bike for a deadline and sr would literally demand they stop working and clean the shop THEN spent an hour arguing with Paulie about being behind schedule on the project. He was legit the textbook example of a micromanaging boss who had too much free time so he went around barking over whatever he could

[@justbreakingballs]

It was all done for TV 🤦‍♂️

[@dannym470]

all reality tv fabrication.

[@MrR40388]

@@justbreakingballs No shit captain obvious.

[@jacobo9611]

@@MrR40388tell that to the OP

[@nuntana2]

He was a troublemaker and couldn't accept Paul's superior design and build skill. And it wasn't all for TV. Many of those arguments were genuine and reason why Vinnie left. Don't forget Senior also fell out with Jr for years and didn't even have the class to go to his wedding. Mikey was goofy but a bit of a waste of space. Cody shady, Vinnie nice guy, Rick the real deal. He was always going to do well.

[@freakshowkena]

I watched nearly every episode as a kid, it was my fav show. Senor had a good heart at the beginning he once said that he shouldn't even have the show bc of his alcohol addiction and that's a gift to have Mikey and Jr with him every day. But when they got bigger money got to his head and he stopped to appreciate his sons and just did not care about the relationship, only cared about money.

[@Bobbb-f3i]

I agree but I think it was fame that went to Paul seniors head not the money

[@feeblemind]

pretty sure paul let money and fame get to his head just as much as his father. At end of the day lot of the arguments IMO were because paul did shit behind his fathers back and started ignoring anything he said. Realistically he was his boss so it was disrespectful thing to do and its probably what set senior off half the time. Really both of them kind of let shit fall apart.

[@athleticguy15]

Sadly, I think Sr. is just a bully.

[@TDNomad]

I think once the business grew Sr added people (like Steve Moreau) that had very little & especially no bike building business knowledge. This lead to those people getting into Sr head in how to deal with the business & deal with Mike & Jr. They advised Sr in how to handle things. When Sr should’ve just dealt it with himself. Sure Sr dealt with it himself at 1st then let others deal with it while Sr just didn’t care anymore. Lots of the problems between Sr & Jr lead to Sr asking his Yes Men on how to handle it. They froze out Mike they came up with all kinds of stipulations in his contract. Yes Mike was lazy, no drive so he needed a kick, but this could’ve been handled much differently. Same goes for Jr. After all they were the stars of the business. Mike & Jr made the show. Jr had a creative side. Mike was the humor the show needs. When it became Jr vs Sr the show should’ve ended. The bike building game changed so much & custom show bikes weren’t used/needed anymore.

[@Ravathiel]

@@feeblemind exactly. its why Cody got fired. he talked so much shit to Jr about being lazy af. Lol

[@kalebgarcia282]

Grew up watching the show... I can remember Orange County Chopper sweats, caps, and shirts everywhere at the full throttle saloon. 😁

[@davidlarson3905]

I’ve talked to Junior a couple times. He considered buying my original 1912 Indian racer but passed on it. He has an exquisite taste for collecting original condition, original paint antique motorcycles. He’s also got some really incredible original motorcycle related signs and memorabilia too. Cool guy 👍

[@dpz9872]

Jay Leno would take it in a second. Sounds like a great bike 👍.

[@Heavymetalstonie420]

@Jesus is coming. Read the Gospel. Ok man there's two different kinds of Christians you that try to push God on people and is probably a wishy-washy one to. And kinds like me who do our thing but still fallow God but yet we still party and aren't ashamed of it you probably drink and try to tell people I don't do anything like that. So keep it to yourself self

[@wfemp_4730]

@Jesus is coming. Read the Gospel. Off topic. Take it elsewhere more appropriate, please.

[@rickchupp4782]

@@Heavymetalstonie420is this one of Anne's friends that we know

[@johncarter1137]

@@Heavymetalstonie420 Projecting much?

[@Wild906]

Man do i miss the times when this show was airing on TV, never missed an episode. Simpler times for sure!

[@anonimous2451]

ROFLMFAO, you fell for the Hollywood illusion my man. Wake the fu*k up.

[@Wild906]

@@anonimous2451 I knew it was all tv, still enjoyed the times back then when I was watching it. Just reminiscing as I get older lol

[@wildlifewarrior2670]

Me too even though it was staged

[@CONFUCIUS-f2x]

The original Kardashians for men.

[@dcentral]

It’s a miracle Sr. is still alive after years of steroid and alcohol use and behaving like a raging maniac 24/7 stressing his cardiovascular system.

[@joe125ful]

Yeah:)

[@dannym470]

being active goes a long way. you can get by with far more abuse on yourself vs. a couch potato.

[@jamesjdm]

As someone that has actually been on cycle you don't know what you're talking about He was on trt which is not only safe but will keep you from having a stroke or heart attack And gear doesn't cause "rage" the fact that people still think that...

[@echochamber4420]

Jr was the heart and soul of Sr’s business. Jealousy of a son by a father is a horrible thing.

[@AnimaniacNZ]

To paraphrase Scott Steiner "He's a jealous old bastard".

[@fordfairlane662dr]

Jr wasn't owed a fucking red cent..it was hisxdads business in the first place!

[@DivisiveSnoo]

@@fordfairlane662dr 🧐 ah yes, the employee deserves nothing for his labor 🤔

[@noneshere]

I don't understand how they could go into any debt. If I was making that kind of money, any form of credit would never be wanted.

[@dpz9872]

My father retired from his only job of 47 years after getting out of the Navy with profit shares from a company that went and is global. Living very comfortable at that point he walked into a 7-11 and won the lottery. I'm physically disabled have had multiple orthopedic surgeries and heart surgery after having some foreign metal travel thru me in the early 90's. I do what I have to to work on getting thru another day. My father chooses not to talk to me because despite what my doctors say he knows I don't try enough. Paul Sr. and my father are one in the same. And Paul Sr. wasn't a global success story until his son made him one.

[@margaretsearle1090]

I watched nearly every episode as a kid, it was my fav show.

[@martijnverwoerd8439]

I always felt sorry for Rick. Such a nice guy, just trying to do his job and do it well. The guy deserved better than being surrounded by a very disfunctional family.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

It was not his family, it was his employment------of opportunity. Notice how just about all the guy who worked for that company went on to their own businesses. That is called opportunity son. I know where your argument comes from, and it ain't ' free enterprise freedom. You want a union job, as a baby sitter. That is what is actually dysfunctional. Rick is just fine. He is living his life, and I guess doing well. I feel sorry for you. You have no such dreams or aspirations. You just want to punch in and be taken care of. Sorry. You are wasting your life. Get into something marketable, something you like to do, (recreations are about all we have left, that was no stolen from us), and treat your employers like an education that you actually get paid for,---and always think about your won business. If it takes off under your own power, (no government subsidies), you will have discovered what real human freedom is, and you won't stand for many body feeling sorry for you, who never lived a day in their life outside of being a pet. I think Rich has earned what he deserved, and I bet he made more money than I in my non-union shops, (with engineering degrees). Yea, I was still just above poverty with all that education, (My brain got a lot better too,--with that exercise,--and I was earlier told to get into sports), and working for 20 different shops trying to find more money. Then I started my little business and got out of poverty. Do you understand where your opportunity is? Your mind in what is left of our free market. Don't bash the boss,----compete with him. That is freedom. No baby sitter needed. :) Doug in Michigan

[@KK-wt1te]

@@EarthSurferUSA what an assumption that whole novel was lol. I mean talking to someone about getting a life and feeling sorry for them. Dude you just went off on a rant to a complete stranger who made a reasonable comment about how he was treat a bit like shit at work... 😂🤣😂🤣😂 Talking about freedom 🤣. Even as a company owner there is little "freedom". But yeah you preach. You are American I assume. Especially throwing around the freedom word 🤣

[@toaster_bathtub3602]

True

[@Tony525_]

It's a show.....a scripted show

[@casecold1864]

Its TV, American TV. It has nothing to do with anything.

[@tonykemper8896]

I watched every show and it went from passion for bikes to passion for money for Sr and junior had a passion for creativity and still does and that’s why they both are where they are today!

[@chuckwagon1892]

Paul Sr. always seemed to have a wallet that was way bigger than his bank account. He's just like so many people who get a few bucks and then blow it on stupid stuff. Junior seemed to be always super stressed. Always late to work and always behind the deadline but, he seems to be doing much better since he broke from his dad and is making his own way - good for him! The rest of the cast from Vinny on down all seemed like really nice guys who ducked alot and did their best to deal with the very toxic atmosphere created by Paul Sr. I wish them all well..

[@jasongreene8]

I use to see these guys all the time. I was just sitting outside the shop last week. It’s closed down but still there.

[@mikemcbeth3216]

Sad

[@holeindanssock156]

Really? Did you have a smoke out there?

[@jasongreene8]

Nah, chances of police showing up out of nowhere were too high.

[@scarhart53]

You use what?

[@_Peremalfait]

I used to watch and enjoy their show when it first came out. It seemed refreshing to see a family that wasn't perfect and got in arguments, but in the end still loved one another. It turned sour in the end though, and the fights more serious, and the show was no longer fun to watch.

[@joehovanec1985]

More unwanted drama and not enough down to earth bike building.

[@rockytalkndawoods3057]

So many life analogies in this video. I love it and that the ones who stayed focus on their passion truly succeeded.

[@doriscarter4466]

I watched nearly every episode as a kid, it was my fav show. Senor had a good heart at the beginning he once said that he shouldn't even have the show bc of his alcohol addiction and that's a gift to have Mikey and Jr with him every day.

[@allan9603]

@Doris, are you drunk?

[@ZipSnipe]

Me and my buddies back then were soooo hooked on this show, it was the main event every weekend

[@robertcrist5747]

This was one of my favorite shows. Especially the early episodes. But like everything else....It ruined itself because they got greedy with each other.

[@mkefayati473]

Precisely. Greed destroyed them as a team, now they are individuals, successful however, but the dream team is gone.

[@rawyin]

I did not do well recognizing celebrities but I once passed Rick in the Minneapolis airport. He looks exactly like you see him on the show and I was like "Oh shit, that's Rick." Didn't bug the guy. We both surely had places to be but still recall how easily I picked him out of a crowd. Always been a fan of him as a person and maker though.

[@LMarshall73]

I met Rick briefly at Daytona Bike Week a few years ago during the first Sons of Speed event put on by Billy Lane. Super humble and laid back dude. It was a cool few days hanging out with Billy & Warren Lane, Rick, Paul Cox, Xavier Muriel, and a bunch of other bike builders and racers.

[@ristorinne5817]

Well, i ´m poor but happy. I have a loving wife and a son. Sad to see when people have money, tools, and talent to do what they do, can´t live happy.

[@liljerry496]

Yeah life can be different(estranged )With money …. Believe me I know …. You can be more happy without it 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@merkinyall]

As long as the bills are paid, the kids are fed and you are making good memories, it’s all good.

[@5050guitarman]

I>iouu

[@mikearango2318]

@@liljerry496 6yyy6y lol

[@barryallen8753]

Rich won’t Enter heaven read the Bible so who cares we humble and poor folks will

[@Dubski]

The Quest Channel in the UK are currently running re-runs of the original series in the wee small hours for any diehard fans who might want to watch. Amazing to see just how much people have changed since it was shown the first time around.

[@REMBRANTTUBE]

I LOVED THAT SHOW.... SAD THAT IT'S GONE NOW....

[@bafattvahetere]

"What Goes Up Must Come Down..." B.S. & Tears.

[@antoniokofoed7139]

Just played at seniors restaurant last night. Best venue in our area. Great food great staff and great people.

[@sethc4758]

Damn i feel really bad now.. I was a huge American Chopper fan as a kid and one year they were around my hometown for the Sturgis Rally, it was my 8th birthday and my parents went to a concert at The Buffalo Chip that night, they ran into the American Chopper guys in the vip section, my dad mentioned it was my birthday and Vinnie gave him the hat of his head and signed it for me, it was a sweaty, dusty, random mechanic shop hat, with a flat brim then the end of the brim was bent up at like a 90 degree angle and Rick also gave my dad his glasses as a present for me... but i lost them somewhere years ago and completely forgot about it until now. Now im bummed and sad they gave me that stuff just for it to be lost, it meant the world to me at the time though

[@nedkent5239]

This was when Discovery Channel first began it’s “Dumbing America Down” initiative.

[@StrokerStevens]

Paul SR has opened the OCC Roadhouse Restaurant and Museum here in Pinellas Park, FL. Excellent food, and a lot of his memorabilia as well as bikes are in the restaurant. Occasionally, when Paul SR is walking through the restaurant, people will stop him, and he will gladly take a picture with anybody. He is very down to earth.

[@tommytomtom5531]

Does he still have that hideous mustache ? There is no one close enough to him that can tell him how stupid he looks.

[@scottcrowley2061]

My dad called it Pennyless park, lol. Was a cheap place to live back in the day.

[@StrokerStevens]

@@scottcrowley2061 It's not Pennyless Park anymore, but it still is less than Clearwater and St Pete.

[@skeetersaurus6249]

I watched the show from the first episode. In the beginning, it was 'real', a family trying to make a family business work...complete with deadlines, supplier problems, strong personalities trying to 'make it happen'...but you could see it change for the worse. By the mid second-season, some of the 'rage playouts' seemed 'fake', 'scripted'. By the end of season 2, you realized that 'there is NO WAY that this business would really work for a week', if it 'were real'...this was another 'reality bigfoot show'...it was soap opera, oh...and look, here's a cool bike! Seldom was the fact mentioned that each of these bikes were retailing for over $100k each...yet you'd think one nut or bolt was going to 'end their business'...when in reality, I've known two different owners of their 'custom cycles'...and both report that 'these bikes are UNADULTERATED JUNK, not even worth the metal they are made from!'. I mean...I've NEVER heard a follow up from ANY OWNER ever aired, where, beyond their 'beauty', the actual MOTORCYCLE was truly commented on as 'an excellent machine'...so, it's non-running ARTWORK?! The whole show was a farce...and as time has went by, that point is the ONE take-away that can be honestly claimed about it. At least Jesse James was a LEGITIMATE bike builder...

[@buttercup4958]

Exactly.

[@stephengrainger7586]

Micky was thick as a plank 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lostinspace699]

The show was boring very quickly.. a shit show ,,, Australia

[@Censortubes]

You couldn't pay me as a rider to own one they built.

[@hhale]

I personally was never under any illusions that the bikes you see on the show were anything more than artworks you could ride a bit--not practical motorcycles you could put serious mileage on. I was always under the impression that the day-to-day operations off camera turned out bikes that came into their facility already as solid, ridable bikes, but they put some more chrome parts on them, gave them a fancy paint job, or whatever. Since that isn't particularly sexy, we got to see the concept bikes built from scratch.

[@franciscomarquez9845]

They had something so good but senior got greedy and didn't want to share. We know that Jr came up with most of the designs and deserved a fair share of the profits from the show and the shop.💯

[@Asbjoern]

Actually believing this wasn't scripted as fuck

[@jennymack9224]

@@Asbjoern 😂😂😂

[@PokèMyBalls]

Plus Sr had major anger issues. Dude is going to pop an aneurysm.

[@TheKyrix82]

I still say there was no 'right side' of this argument. They all fucked up

[@baitse7676]

Paul Sr. has a restaurant in Largo, FL. He can be seen there, along with a lot of the bikes from the show.

[@kumakendo]

Yeah, bikes that JR built

[@baitse7676]

@@kumakendo Nah dawg, them bikes were outsourced to China

[@AquarianNomadic]

The 2000's were a wild time for these types of shows. Monster Garage was great too

[@redt3788]

I remember the time when they showed up on the show My Name Is Earl

[@BBB-ex3gs]

I visited their shop a few times. They hosted some nice events, that said, they weren’t about bikes, they were about merchandising, same old story. I haven’t thought about them for many years.

[@dcaseng]

Most dads would be proud to be able to work with their sons, bur SR always seemed to be jealous of his son's talent, and gave preferential treatment to his other son, who seemed to be a lazy screw up. He would openly berate JR for everything, while laughing off the other son's irresponsible behavior.

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

@@0TheLastLoneWolf my mom does this.. Ill make a suggestion about somrthing... and then she has to go out and get opinions from complete strangers and then go with (their ideas) the same one i said prior.. she gives money and loves my brother more it seems just because he has kids.. but im the one always fixing her car. Or house or doing everything for her. Then i get yelled at the next day.. uts so bad my gf left me.. and now im so stressed and deoressed im drinking nearly daily and contemplating pulling the trigger on .yself

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

@@0TheLastLoneWolf thanks. Between my mom treating me like she does.. and the fighting.. and my now ex breaking up eith me over it and well she wanted to experience more men she said... I thought of pulling the trigger... 3 days ago i was nearly there... but just couldnt do it

[@Clos93]

@@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305 I know exactly how you feel man. Remember that is a final solution for a temporary problem. You can always improve your situation, but you can't do shit when you dead bro. You may not realize it, but I'm sure there will be people who miss you.

[@dcaseng]

@Kirk Eby That just makes it WORSE. I would never destroy my relationship with my son because some producers wanted fake drama. That being said, you can't fake that kind of animosity, and you can tell it was genuine from the start.

[@impossiblekid0582]

@@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305 She isn't afraid to be herself around you.... for better or worse, I know how it feels, within my family I'm the one that does everything for everyone yet I'm also the one that gets the most shit, but they also are far more themselves with me then with anyone else, as in they know me better and put less of a mask on as apposed to. With other family members it's like they want to earn brownie points.

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

I like the thumbnail picture of him from 2010 where he's standing in front of a 2014-2019 corvette.

[@kingboagart899]

Time travel.

[@chubbz8129]

I was just thinking that lmao

[@kingboagart899]

@@chubbz8129 great minds think alike

[@strawman3059]

Who cares.

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

@@strawman3059 not that I care enough that it's going to ruin my day or affect me personally. But I decided to say something because I'm in the motorcycle industry and every once in awhile trash ass click bait channels like this show up in my recommendations. Idk what industry you're in. But what if someone made a video about someone you know? that's in your line of work and it was all false? Would you care just enough to point out that they are full of shit and that they don't know what they are talking about? In this case the truth of the matter is that Paul's a multi millionaire with a world famous brand. He wanted to move his operations to Florida where the weather is nice so he could sit out in the sun and chill and be an old man. And he's got enough money that if he has to lose a few million dollars in order to make that happen then so be it. Losing a few million dollars to Paul Is no big deal. These kinds of channels wanna make it out like people who used to be successful are now broke and down on their luck. But the fact of the matter is that Paul had to lose a few million on his New York properties so he could open up a world headquarters in Florida. Where it cost him $6.5 million just to have the place built. He did what most senior citizens that are millionaires do. He moved to Florida. That's it.

[@ranz2355]

Mikey has several works of art in the Louvre and other famous art museums. They are used as educational pieces to show aspiring artists what not to do.

[@robertsrt]

Wait. Really? 😂😂😂

[@sinestro55]

Had to read it twice to understand it😂

[@Mikey_Sea]

The Louvre🤣👍

[@az7ai971]

💀💀

[@carlsaganlives5112]

In the 'refrigerator classics' section.

[@edwardgiacobbe98]

I knew the family through Paul's Sr. steel fabrication business (Orange County Iron Works). Nothing scripted in this show! That's how they are! (good people)

[@peterstroud1528]

Loved the show,nice bit of sunshine in life.

[@theart9163]

Can you imagine working for Sr., back before the show, when he built an iron erector company? He was a millionare already, Even with the business explosion, and millions from the show, he still needs others sacrificing, while he spends and bullies....what a prick!

[@kumakendo]

Everyone forgets that sr had a steel business and that his eldest son had to do an aggressive takeover of the company to stop sr from running it to the ground. Sr also ruined his relationship with us eldest son and they are not at all on speaking terms.

[@SilverBricks17]

Dad and I used to watch the hell out of this show😂 Was definitely one of my favorites

[@danielmartins4367]

Exact same here. Me and my father. We loved to watch OCC. it sure brings me good memories.

[@johng00dnight80]

that before July what about my shirt was a two bowl of holes or extra don't ask for the Hat tell mailbox🧨📭🗞️🛎️⚰️💣💊🩹🩺🔭👕🏊🪜🪓🤏🧙🔥

[@crash6581]

Paul Jr was the backbone of OCC, it was HIS designs that made the company. Sr would lay in to Jr for showing up an hour or 2 late for work along with Vinnie yet it was Paulie and Vinnie who stayed until 3am to get the bikes done while everyone else especially Sr who bailed at 5 with Sr disappearing throughout the day for random things like nails getting done, trips to the gym while Jr and the others worked on the bikes that Sr takes full credit for building. Cody left the company to go to school to be a licensed bike mechanic paid for by OOC. He didn't go to work for Vinnie until he and Vinnie left Paul Jr. Designs. Once Jr opened his shop right behind OCC his first actions were to bring on Vinnie then bring in Cody. They fell out once Jr and Sr reconnected only to have Sr going into PJD and making smartass comments to both Vin and Cody leading to hassles there. Plus they got tired of having cameras in their faces all hours of the day which lead to both bailing on the Teutul's work places for good. Vinnie had a YT channel where from time to time he would respond to folks who post questions but it was always about if he still worked with the Teutul's, if he'd go back if asked and really dumb question's like if her was actually related by blood to them. He just stopped posting anything.

[@Irespecktyouall]

Wanna rewrite that was some punctuation marks and proper grammar so people can understand what you are saying?

[@montyzuma808]

@@Irespecktyouall what a stupid comment

[@DetroitSoul]

@@Irespecktyouall Okay. "Do you want to rewrite that with some punctuation and proper grammar, so people might understand what you are talking about?". There, happy? :)

[@randyvalencia8322]

@@Irespecktyouall your grammar isn't so good itself bud, you might want to delete your comment to avoid making yourself look even more stupid.

[@dimartinoindustries6026]

What you're missing is the part where you write I think this is what happened. to me a lot of that sounds made up, But what do I know

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

Rick always seemed to do the bulk of the work for little or no thanks. Wishing him success for the future.

[@likilikiki]

I wasn't wondering at all but this popped up in my feed so... here I am.

[@bc3819]

It was a great show when they were building motorcycles, but turning it into a drama s**t show contributed enormously to it's demise. As for Mikey (definition of totally useless) hiring him would be comparable to losing 3 good men.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

Agree, want to see a clown go to the circus, don't hire one. As much as I loved seeing Mikey on the show, it was possibly the worst thing that could have happened to him. Easy money just delayed him taking life seriously.

[@grindfreakmike5754]

@@DodgyBrothersEngineering if he actually had a drinking problem id say his head was never right from the start and how many drunks take life seriously

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@grindfreakmike5754 think it is more a case of he is basically lazy, and while there was easy money rolling in, he never had to really work for it. I mean seriously if there was no TV show and he wasn't being paid for appearances, and the business survived purely on building bikes, he would have been shown the door or told to lift his game long ago. I think the easy money allowed him to cruise for far too long.

[@rockoorbe2002]

Mikey seemed to me like the Chumlee of the Choppers.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@rockoorbe2002 quite possibly. I think he is probably more intelligent than he acted, but I think some of that probably came down to living in Junior's shadow. Without knowing how they grew up I would speculate that Junior probably shone the most and got dads attention because he exhibited more talent. Mikey couldn't compete so he acted the clown, and found favour in his fathers eyes doing that, and set the mold for his life. Not uncommon for this to happen in families where you already have an alpha male child.

[@marcussmith3969]

Recently there a video on KZbin talking about why you shouldn't but an OCC. The guy showed as an example the bike he bought used. It was greatly under powered. It had no gages at all, not even a speedometer. The rake was so high he couldn't see the road in front of him. The rake and bars he said caused pain between his shoulders after a couple of hours riding. The seat was justa piece of leather over a metal seat pan. No padding and no way to add a passenger seat for his girlfriend. He related that others that he knew that had bought OCC bikes complained of some of the same type of issues. As for me, I bought a used Iron horse chopper. It had 12k miles on it and it was a 2012 model. Paid 8k for it, husband and wife were divorcing. Had a great look, was comfortable to drive. Had all the gages including a fuel Guage. Was a 125 c i motor producing 125 h. p. Great looking chrome rims, primary, oil tank cover. And there was no problem breaking that fat rear tire loose. Great turn downs that pounded the ground. Still have it and love riding it year round.

[@joemusic2882]

I saw that video. I couldn’t believe it as I always believed their bikes were top notch quality. Boy was I as many others fooled

[@marcussmith3969]

@@joemusic2882 Hey Joe, I know a lot of people were probably greatly disappointed as well. Imagine paying over a 100k, then realizing what you have after riding it for awhile. I guess it could give bragging rights. I know from watching the show, I wanted one badly. I guess the show was just that a show. Just like it turns out that Gas Monkey ( Fast N Loud) and Counts Customs. All show, no go.

[@joemusic2882]

@@marcussmith3969 I’m sure every one of those involved with Orange County Choppers were aware of the garbage they were making and are therefore guilty of fraud. They should of been sued for every penny they had.

[@scarhart53]

Wait, what's a blind guy doing buying a motorcycle? Is it even legal for him to try to ride it? Because all those issues are perfectly obvious. And by the way, it's not "gage" or "guage". It's "gauge".

[@marcussmith3969]

@@scarhart53 Thank you for the spelling lesson. I have to presume that you have never spelled a word incorrectly before. Also apologize that the spelling errors took away from the message. As for being blind or stupid or whatever, he bought the bike to make the video showing that people will buy anything, just for the bragging rights. He has made other videos showcasing other bikes.

[@user-rk7cx3rm4r]

What’s crazy is I actually met Paul Senior. I was surprised at how small he was in person. He looks super muscular he’s actually a very tiny guy. He was a humble dude and we had a good conversation. I think they try to get them drummed up and fight each other in my opinion.

[@CringeComedyTV]

He's 72 years old and off the juice. This isn't 2003 anymore. He's not jacked by any means but he's 6ft tall so not sure what you mean by him being small.

[@rpdube1]

@@CringeComedyTV Everyone has their way of expressing/interpreting things there are more pressing matters, like getting off the juice 😆

[@kaisercc]

How is that crazy?

[@nameputhpong9041]

Pretty sure its hardly even fighting. It’s just edited to be more dramatic

[@johncamp7679]

I’m a big UFC fan and I’ve met some fighters, I was really surprised how small they seemed in life than on the TV.

[@alexalexandreTeaMNoMercYfr]

belle petite série dommage qu'ils n'ont pas continuer en France 🕶 👍☝

[@markallen6818]

Rick and Vinny were the guys that did most of the work on the Bikes and I personally told Vinny that one year at The Bike Rally at Myrtle Beach after He tried to start His Own Company.

[@stevenbrown6720]

They made over priced junk

[@markallen6818]

@@stevenbrown6720 The Bikes were definitely overpriced but Rick and Vinny did do good work.I would never pay the price of their Bikes but these bikes were made for companies to advertise more than to do any real Riding.

[@geojesse9230]

@@markallen6818 I think people are bored so much rage these comments are crazy

[@billonthehill9984]

In all honesty... I grew tired of the ENDLESS family disfunction on this reality series when it was airing...The non-family employees of the show are what held it all together IMHO, quite frankly I NEVER shed a tear when the series came to an end, done... Bill... :~)

[@bluenose7984]

I got fed up with seniors roid rage on junior every day!

[@fmbbeachbum8163]

There would'nt have been a show without Jr's designs actually getting the show which allowed them to expand.

[@pietg.6249]

The best part was when Mikey tried to open a gallery with pictures that look like they were drawn by children...🤪😂

[@mastrorj68]

Better then hunter Bidens lol

[@muskokamike127]

biggest issue on the show wasn't lost on mikey: sheer arrogance and thinking they have more talent than they actually do. Paul Jr has some interesting designs but nothing terribly outstanding. Paul's? shyte....100% steaming piles of shyte.

[@toddgittins5692]

Mickey was an idiot.

[@DavidDavis311]

I always understood why Paul junior was increasingly angry at his dad. If it wasn’t for juniors bikes and ideas in the first few episodes the show wouldn’t have went anywhere.

[@MotoAtheist]

Exactly, Sr. was stuck in the 60's with his one style of old school bike, it's all he knew.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@MotoAtheist Not only that but he never really had juniors creativity. Look at the first bike he built by himself "Sunshine" very basic bike with a basic hand painted tank, hardly the sort of thing that would make you stand out from the crowd. It was junior's ideas and out of the box thinking that got the show past the pilot.

[@MotoAtheist]

@@DodgyBrothersEngineering Right, that's what I said, he only knew one style of bike. He couldn't move beyond it without his employees.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@MotoAtheist I think he could have built other bikes, but they would have only been vanilla bikes without juniors creativity and Vinnie and Rick's fabrication. As you rightly say without employees he would have been dead in the water long ago.

[@scarhart53]

@@MotoAtheist Yeah, as opposed to Jr's bikes that looked like lawn mowers or bulldozers.

[@jeffreybabino1411]

I watched this show for many years loved the bikes

[@nickatnite16]

I'm not a motorcycle guy buy I love great craftsmanship and design, I used to love this show. I remember them building that bike for Wyclef

[@dantaylor897]

Vinnie & Rick did all the hard work,good to see they are doing well. Everybody else is in court with one another,that says a lot in itself?

[@scarhart53]

Give us the case numbers....

[@hoghs1]

Imagine how this coulda turned out of Sr just kept his mouth shut and stayed away. Artists like his son universally do not do well with micro management. I’m always surprised no PR reps or lawyers laid it out for them. So much more potential then how it ended. All because of misguided anger explosions.

[@iiviinstiinct3064]

They didn't do that cause the fights and arguments created more views.

[@hoghs1]

@@iiviinstiinct3064 that’s my point. Small minded thinking. Argue or make money? They chose to make short term money now almkst nobody wants to buy these almost unrideable bikes or watch that show.

[@bob65656565656565]

Yeah now that JR is on his own you see his bikes all over the place right….. he was a tool

[@lunasilvermoon2283]

@@hoghs1 I think Instinct meant that the views and subsequent revenue from those went to the bank of Discovery Channel. I'm willing to guess that out of that entire production team only a few of them actually gave a shit about the bikes. most of them were just there to produce a drama show that got them the most views.. therefore money.

[@bradjames6748]

Donald Trump syndrome

[@fakshen1973]

The boy had talent and great ideas. He was willing to try new things. Dad had the experience. He knew a lot about the business of bikes. It was a fun show for what it was. There were SO many clones.

[@brianpeterson5559]

I loved the show and realistically seen that everyone on it had a point of view, tried to never form an opinion. It's just sad to see the fighting go to the level it did . No one's fault I suppose, most likely a side effect of fame and fortune. Vinny and Rick were good dudes really hope they ended up happy.

[@jerrybrown66]

This show was a lesson in interpersonal relationships and human psychology. That's why it connected with so many people, who themselves maybe were mired dysfunctional families.

[@O-.-O]

Their relationships had the authenticity of staged WWE match, all fake 😂

[@soulslaveone]

It was also a lesson in stupidity.

[@tommytomtom5531]

@@soulslaveone and bad barbering.

[@jamesjdm]

​@@O-.-Ono it wasn't They all sued each other and for a long time after the show stopped talking to each other

[@thiruvetti]

TLC + American Choppers combo was my goto during my college days in India. What memories. One of the pioneers of reality tv show. After that the whole genre went to the drain.

[@makoado6010]

nah reality shows begin at 90's. at least in europe.

[@ipodman1910]

@@makoado6010 first was MTV’s The Real Life…

[@PhilAVega]

I really enjoyed watching the show in the beginning. Really dig all cool 😎 bikes being built. It all changed during the years. I now watch rerun's of little house on the prairie. No family uglyness there.

[@wfemp_4730]

I'd say Nellie and her mother added a good amount of family ugliness. :P

[@ghav43]

Rick, Cody and Vinnie should do a bike build

[@larrymondello8475]

Thank you

[@KelleyJohnson-t4w]

great content

[@MrSpin121]

Paul Sr is the one who has the business mind while Paul Jr who did all the works especially the artistic side. Seems that Jr pick up his dad's brain in business and have a success in building his own shop.

[@jorynickila7760]

Long story short, the Orange County Chopper bikes, although they look nice, they are all jokes. You see the size of those bikes while they all have very undersized underpowered engines. The only reason why they sound like that is because they don't have mufflers their gas tanks only hold enough fuel for about nine and a half to 13 MI and you can't tell when you're almost out of gas because there are no gauges. No gas, no RPM, no speedometer. Paul Senior has a warehouse where he has close to 60 bikes. When these bikes were first built back in the late 90s early 2000s they were worth a lot of money but because nobody wanted them they just sat there and now the original Spider-Man bike which is worth about $30,000 is for sale for about $9,000 but because it takes four-and-a-half minutes to get from 0 to 60 due to the disgustingly underpowered engine and the fact that has no gauges nobody wants it because you can't get them insured because they don't pass most States safety laws. Paul Senior is a d-bag, and the world is better off without him in it. He's a disgusting deadbeat loser of a father, and His bikes suck anyways.👎👎👎👎👎👎

[@fatrick9001]

Lol I enjoyed reading your roasting of a post.

[@jorynickila7760]

@Andrew if you set up a meeting with Paul Senior, you can probably purchase a very nice but severely impractical motorcycle from him for pretty cheap. He is liquidating everything he has, and that means just getting rid of his surplus of choppers that he has built that nobody wanted along the way. Like the Ghost Rider bike. The thing is incredible to look at but just horrible to ride. I know this cuz I rode the thing in 2006 cuz I was trying to secretly find a motorcycle for my uncle. I tested a few bikes from Paul Senior and his company, and they all were basically good-looking garbage. We went on to purchase one from Jesse James, which was legitimately designed to look spectacular and to drive cross country. Orange County's we're not even design to go cross city.

[@andrewjames7027]

It’s not worth 30k, it’s worth whatever the next person is prepared to pay for it. Which is obviously significantly less.

[@scarhart53]

You mean Junior's bikes suck. Senior's were classic and cool and rideable!

[@jorynickila7760]

@@scarhart53 no seniors bikes also sucked. They lack crucial features that made them street legal all in an effort to maintain that underground Street look. Yeah both of them can build decent-looking bikes but they used crappy parts and they cut corners and well now they're just about bankrupt.

[@Poker3625]

It’s cool living in the same area as these guys. I’ve seen Mikey in the store, Paul Sr has driven past me on his bike, and my dad is actually friends with young Paul, and I actually have to drive past their old OCC shop to get to work everyday. The shop is actually currently for sale

[@desertmulehunter]

Feel bad for ya bro

[@squarehammer4619]

Wow, Paul Senior has driven past you?! You have to drive past their old shop everyday to get to work?! 😲 Holy smokes, that's amazing! You should write a book with all of those amazing experiences👍

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

the shop being the big one they had made?

[@Poker3625]

@@s1dew1nd3r4 yeah

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

@@Poker3625 where did they move to then?

[@Desert10075]

My dad loved the show and liked Rick. My dad could take a box of motorcycle parts and build and paint it then ride it. My dad also knew how to build a Piper Cub out of a box of tubing some fabric and an engine that was usually in pieces. He would also paint that and fly it. He had his own machine shop in a building that he built from the ground up and I helped him with the building of the machine shop. My dad did not smoke drink or cuss. From the time he was about 25 until his death. My dad could see through all of these so-called reality shows and he knew which ones were BS and which ones weren't. Dad liked Rick for his brilliance his work ethic and his personality so that says a lot about rick.

[@mysteryY2K]

your dad sounds pretty badass, from one pilot to another

[@rudygracia5573]

As I read some comments like"I started watching this show when I was young....",I have to say;I started watching this show when I was OLD,Then it ended,and i was OLD!(er).It sucks that we're only"young"for 30 years,then we're OLD for the other 50.(+-).Just different DEGREES of"Old".As a pro athlete or entertainer anyway(One has a VERY SHORT "PRIME"SHELF LIFE)!

[@keithhatch56]

Its nice to hear the truth but its painfull.

[@isaurodominguez6055]

Rick was a bad ass dude to but everybody knows Paul Junior had the designs in his head it was his show from the beginning

[@TmanH2O]

💯

[@mlt6322]

I've seen every episode from all 3 shows, A C, Jr vs. Sr and OCC and loved all the conflicts and the look of the bikes but I for 1 wouldn't take any bike that had parts stuck on with double sided tape even if it was free.

[@GeminiWoods]

I remember watching this show from the beginning till maybe 2009. Watching them build stuff was cool, but I have always hated motorcycles, lol.

[@felixmadison5736]

I loved watching these guys! I remember when they made a customized a classic 'Indian' bike that Billy Joel owned.

[@TexasSmoking]

They made pieces of art for high end clients, nothing more. None of those bikes were made to ride, $80,000 bike price, rides like a $2000 bike.

[@bobbywhite1645]

You could buy them for 80k? Always thought they were a lot more

[@TexasSmoking]

@@bobbywhite1645 the really extensive stuff was a lot more. But their basic t rex models were 80k and they were bare bones bikes. Dont even have speedometers or a gear gauge.

[@John-ob7dh]

I will stick with my 98 FXDWG

[@mgaamerica9185]

Yeah, and you can pick them up for about 6,000 right now, and that’s over priced. I’m not hating, I like there design’s as well as anyone, but I always knew that they would be hard to ride.

[@scarhart53]

They didn't ride like bikes at all. They weren't meant to be ridden.

[@stevenleslie8557]

How could anyone work in those conditions? Paul Sr. Could use some therapy to get to the root of his anger.

[@thepoeticbutcher3370]

….& he said they work 7 days a week..

[@watsisbuttndo829]

And in a years time of 7 day a week "loyalty" he'll start abusing them for not wanting to do 7 days a week any more.

[@richardturk7162]

A friend bought one of their bikes and it was supposed to have a tricked out high performance engine but when he picked it up it was a stock as an off the shelf Harley. The bike wasn't very solid and had some issues that never got fixed.

[@Johnnyrocks34]

There s guy on youtube who bought one of they re bikes. Hunk of crap. Check it out. They re bikes are more art. Not meant for riding

[@babayaga1767]

Basically overgrown mini bikes with hand built gas tank.

[@sid2112]

They are garbage. Much better custom shops out there.

[@scarhart53]

@@Johnnyrocks34 One of they are bikes???

[@Johnnyrocks34]

@@scarhart53 yes.

[@tracezachdaniels4264]

SO SHWEEEETTT...much love Tee with LIONS NAMED LEO.[the music worldwide} AND OOOWEEE SNAP FUN!!

[@Mardasee]

The only thing I could agree on when watching American Chopper was the craftsmanship talent they all had. Having PTSD I could not handle the bickering.

[@JohnathanLimCheng]

Paul jr. Will forever be more Successful than his Father, bcoz he respects his Employees and his Partners,... And He knows, though he is the Owner of his Standalone company, he cant achieve success without his employees that follows him and supports his ideas and deliver the product to their customers... And he makes sure, every customer, gets what they want, and not like his Father that enforces the idea that the Classics are the only thing customer needs... (Which makes his fathers bikes look mass produce and only differs in colors)

[@diktiw9172]

whatever people say, this show made a portion of my teenage life.

[@user-dk7su3lp6e]

i enjoyed the actual fabrication. some of the bikes were really cool. (i actually learned the snakeskin paint job from this show, which ive used several times for other things). the drama i couldve done with less of

[@m.angeloz9080]

I'm a big fan ✌ Also followed Senior vs Junior.

[@roywalls5595]

I use to watch Paul senior year ago and I use to enter their club but they closed in Orange county!

[@HyperActive7]

It was sad to watch such a productive family get torn apart because of a father's greed to take the business over for himself. the iconic scene where Paul Jr. and Tuttle Sr get into a nasty fight changed the face of how this family was as a unit. It's a shame how successful everyone was to end up broken up because again of one man's greed to shutout his son and good people. It's a lesson in choosing who you work with wisely because family can be the best or the worst nightmare you''ve ever had if things don't click well.

[@jbloggs751]

Wasn't it his business to start with?

[@TheKyrix82]

From what I saw, there was no 'right side' of this feud. Everybody was wrong to some degree. Yes, even Mikey

[@atticus2581]

Two ways to lose a friend: one is to borrow the other to lend. Same goes for family. Not ussualy a good idea to go into buisness with them.

[@Kakashi1isjskks]

@@atticus2581 tell that to the thousands of family companies in America. Just because one shitty show, you think its a bad idea to go into business with family.

[@JustIn-op6oy]

@@Kakashi1isjskks and look at how many family businesses go into the toilet (especially family restaurants). The issue isn't really the type of preexisting relationship, it's a question of the health of that relationship. The family was a ticking timebomb.

[@Gabrielnobre]

If I could guess Paul Sr and Jr's future..it would be just like that...Paul Sr. got screwed and Paul Jr. got sucessful. Paul Jr's talent speaks for itself...is a pity, tough, that Mike is still a weight in his family's back...the guy never wanted anything serious in life.

[@motownpontiac]

They built some works of art. But that’s what they were, collection/museum pieces. So many of their bikes were completely underpowered, didn’t have any sort of suspension comfort, and were just basically unrideable. The series was about the drama and some bikes that looked great from 20ft away.

[@AmandaRogersarock1988]

As a non-riders that's definitely something I didn't pick up on when I watched as a kid. Thanks for the insight!

[@skunkworksalpha7868]

I couldn't have said it better, in fact in my opinion, you're being generous about their bikes.

[@bentonfoster886]

Well yeah, a lot of there bikes were show pieces for companies or events. You don't need it to be comfy if it's just gonna sit in some corporate lobby

[@AmandaRogersarock1988]

@@bentonfoster886 I always just envisioned someone real actually riding the bikes lol

[@pegcity4eva]

Bikes and beards has a couple and they are horrible to drive

[@btedon]

Jr’s designs were the best and was core to the success of the company

[@vercetti7586]

I always enjoyed the show but was also saddened by the constant fighting between the family members. I think if they would have deescalated they could have been a good team.

[@_MjG_]

Some of the fighting seemed legit, but I don't put it past the show, that some of it was faked.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

Sr's ego was clearly the biggest impediment to the business and remains so today. Always thinking he can do what he likes and nothing could touch him. He has had a string of law suites brought against him because of it. If he just pulled his head in the show would probably still be on the air instead of the business heading into oblivion.

[@muskokamike127]

@@DodgyBrothersEngineering his head and arrogance was his downfall, you're correct in that.....When the show was big I saw "occ world headquarters" and that sprawling estate I saw "yeah the term getting too big for your britches" comes to mind. If he'd invested wisely he'd be sitting pretty today instead of trying to pawn off that property for $1.9M. That gets you a nice 2 bdrm bungalow in Toronto..... Another term comes to mind: believes his own hype......I've seen some of his creations...they are shit....downright S H I T. I've also seen some other motorcycle channels who got their hands on their production bikes....you can't give them away they're such pieces of crap. One was sold at auction for $3500 it retailed for something like $24K.....

[@augustinf]

Basically… senior and Mickey were useless. At least Mickey knew it, but senior failed to understand where the added value in his company came from… the worse part being that a big part of it was his asociate and own son.. he had to bring him down because of his ridiculous ego and lack of vision. He definitely deserves all the bad things that happened to him as a terrible businessman and father.

[@allissonbunker1313]

Hello how are you doing??

[@Tikemysontheironfister]

I didn't even watched the show but still watching KZbin videos about it

[@dupinheiroelvis]

Gold old days tv american chopper ❤

[@richardgriffin7718]

Orange County Choppers was one of my fav shows in the early 2k. I knew it wasn't scripted because of the raw emotions that came from Sr n Jr during their signature arguments. But being so talented n patient with his aggravating father, people tuned in because Jr was extremely gifted with fabricating skills. I also noticed that Sr was jealous of Jr. Which i could never understand how could a grown man be jealous of his own offspring. Childish men do childish things I guess.

[@weekendpartier]

Of course it's scripted... They're given scripts, and outlines... this week you and dad get into a fight, and go with that....

[@mark6302]

all of those shows are scripted

[@weekendpartier]

y'all know those shows are largely scripted right? Shit! I knew that as far back as the 90s... when this girl in college I knew was interning at MTV, NYC - and she told me they story-boarded everything --- NOTHING was left to chance!!! sheeot!!!

[@TheSLUser]

Watched a video about one of the bikes they made at the time it cost $80,000 bucks, the new owner paid $8,000 for it and says it is the most uncomfortable under powered and the worst bike he owns.... That is the issue with the Chopper bike, they were a short lived fad and for the mst part they are uncomfortable to ride for any length of time.

[@toddgittins5692]

And dangerous. They generally used the cheapest crap, money could buy.

[@liasummers1824]

Trailer queens

[@johnnywishbone932]

I am so glad Junior was able to start his own company. His dad is a nut bar!

[@martingardener90]

I used to record the show so I could fast forward though the hissyfits!

[@republikadugave420]

Truth is Jr. was driving force behind OCC and his rant that it will burn to the ground without him was like a prophecy...

[@ghostst.patrick969]

I use to love this show for multiple reason but one of the main reasons was to be able to watch a father & sons business thrive in success. I miss this show, we need more shows like this.

[@Jaybird-oo3ih]

Bs it was all scripted

[@trainguy1017]

The owner of the trash company, that I used to work for, owned one of their bikes. He said it was the biggest piece of junk motorcycle he ever owned.

[@timfremstad3434]

I can believe that......they build em to look at, not ride

[@scarhart53]

@@timfremstad3434 They're trash to look at, too.

[@diogenes5381]

Sr. Was a narcissistic bully with an anger problem. He is one of the most toxic individuals I have ever seen. His demeanor was that of a Marine corps boot camp drill instructor which prepares young men to deal with the intense stress of war & killing people. It did not fit in a creative atmosphere & eventually killed the story & the business!

[@alexshopov6802]

Sounds like my driving instructor

[@diogenes5381]

@@Machia52612 unfortunately business attracts psychotics. There is a difference in being professional as opposed to aggressive. If you deem professionalism as being woke, your business, if you have one,& you are like Paul Sr, you are killing your business just like Sr. did.

[@antonovromanov7412]

Lol ur soft asf

[@cyn1clcynide]

@@Machia52612 You need quality to back it up as well, from what I've heard, their custom jobs were shite

[@sqeekms6186]

I used to think that too but he now lives in cave Creek Arizona and I've talked to him several times he's a really nice guy he will be at the hideaway bar and people are scared to go up and talk to him so he sits there and by himself. He's really calm super nice guy I just think he was that way for the ratings of the show. He lived about 5 mi from me I live in Prescott now