American Choppers

[John]

I too thought that the kick starter would be a real ankle biter when Billy talked about going that route. However, as installed, you've gotta admit it looks really bad a$$!



BTW, I couldn't resist watching the spider bike episode of American Chopper again last night!



Thursday: The American Chopper Fire Bike episode is on commemorating 911.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

John: I watched that episode again as well and was thinking about a few things.....



Is it safe to assume that the producers *might* be influencing the Teutel's to act a bit more outrageously as the series runs its course? Boring shows don't last long... .



I saw a very reserved Paul Sr. and Pauly in that episode. Perhaps they have grown accustomed to the production crew and now they don't hold back as much.



OR - O. C. C. has grown leaps and bounds (due to their success... ) and now Paul Sr. has an increased workload which leads to more stress, etc.



Matt

 

[John]

I think much of Paul Sr. 's stress came from the change to the new shop. He was actually pretty cool and calm working with Cody on Cody's project bike in the new shop while Paul Jr. and Vinnie were working in the old shop on a theme bike. The really cool part was where Paul Sr. gave Cody that trick bike they had been working on together... just the exact way Paul Sr. let Cody spec. out that bike too! Hard a$$? Not hardly! He may be a real bad a$$ but he has a heart of gold! I also noticed that in another episode at a family BBQ.



I also liked that part in one of the episodes where Paul Sr. is swimming, trying to get his dog (Bull Mastiff) to join him. The funny part is where he thought there was nothing to the claim that all owners tend to look like their dogs after awhile.



Looking at that dog and then looking at Paul Sr... .



you'd thought you were lookin' at twins!



To answer your question Matt, yes, I think there is a certain amount of influence from the filming crew/Discovery Channel... but what the heck, most of it seems pretty genuine to me.



And the best part? It gives me inspiration to get off my butt and get busy with my own one-off projects for my Ram!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I'll be honest in saying that these types of shows have cost me a LOT of money in the last year.



Watching how much fun they have with fabbing up metal caused me to go out and buy a new TIG machine and a new plasma cutter. I've always wanted this stuff - but the shows put me over the edge.



Production values always interfere with any show - you can't avoid it. This is one show I had hoped that wouldn't get ruined by the rigorous schedules of television.



I would actually like to have a beer or ten with the fine folks from O. C. C. - I missed my chance to buy Vinny a beer.

They truly are 'good people'.



Matt

 

[TxDieselKid]

The way the show is done with the later episodes is WAY different from the way the one last night was done(Black Widow Bike). Seems like most of the people "loosed" up around the camera. Also Vinny was hardly showen last night. What a difference.



I think it's a great show, but camera are going to make people act different. No if's, no and's, no buts. Maybe it's for the good, maybe not. All I know is that I love the show.











Andrew

 

[QRTRHRS]

Back to the top.

Besides the Cummins Trike on Monster Garage, did anyone catch the Tutle's completing the Snap On bike? Outstanding fabs as usual but the squabbling was starting to get to me. If that's for real, Paulie needs to deck the old man and get it over with.

 

[Mtngoat]

I always watch American Choppers I think because of the neat fabrication and to see what its like to have ALL the tools most of us dream about. Metal shop next door, metal shears and benders, they got it all. Engine, transmission builders, a chrome shop ready to chrome for them at the drop of a hat. They got it ALL!

Personally, I wouldnt want one of their bikes to ride because they are too gaudy for me with way to many bells and whistles hanging on them. But watching the fabrication is interesting, better than watching other things on TV right now!

But watching the show is fun altho the mad dad and lazy son routine is getting tired.

Yeah Paulie should deck the old man, but run after he did it. Dads a big boy!!



Robin

 

[Jeff Clark]

Originally posted by Mtngoat



Personally, I wouldnt want one of their bikes to ride because they are too gaudy for me with way to many bells and whistles hanging on them.

Robin, I agree, but have you checked out their website? The bikes they build on TV aren' t the only bikes they build. They have some "production" models that look pretty cool.

 

[Mtngoat]

Yep, I was pretty much talking about their theme bikes. But, still I just like the older style choppers, showing my age, I guess.



Robin

 

[HEMI®Dart]

American Chopper Marathon Tonight (Fri 1st) Starts @ 8:00pm EST. Discovery Channel. Viewers Choices!



To Vote for an episiode:



http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/amchopper/poll.html

 

[ronco]

It kills me to hear Sr. tell how good a new chopper handles! Get real! That much front end is great on a straight interstate. Otherwise it's functionally crap!





Ronco

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I hear ya!! I'm trying to find the v-rod special on discovery to record it because I need a new comic relief video. Watched it the other night and was rolling on the floor listening to the HD engineers talk about how high tech, advanced, powerful, fast, etc it is. They kept making references to their superbike like it was the best race bike ever made. It was a complete dismal failure. So if anyone catches when it's going to be on please let me know.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Watching the marathon and I say the voting HAD to have been rigged. There's absolutely no way that the Santa bike was one of the viewers favorite shows! That bike is an embarrasment to everything on two wheels.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I smell smoke - get ready for flames!

In defense of the HD engineers - the V-Rod is the most advanced and complex HD ever built.



But I agree with you, Steve - HD's are nothing short of a hodge-podge of poorly slapped together parts with very loose tolerances.



The money they make on these things is sickening.



Matt

 

[ronco]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

I hear ya!! I'm trying to find the v-rod special on discovery to record it because I need a new comic relief video. Watched it the other night and was rolling on the floor listening to the HD engineers talk about how high tech, advanced, powerful, fast, etc it is. They kept making references to their superbike like it was the best race bike ever made. It was a complete dismal failure. So if anyone catches when it's going to be on please let me know.

Steve, did you ever follow the VR1000 in racing? It was the loudest, slowest bike on the circuit! I don't think Scott Russell or Pascal Piccote (sp?) ever won a race on one. As for the most advanced HD ever built, think about it. How advanced can pushrods get? I like the new name for the V-Rod. Hardley has the Bad Boy, the Fat Boy and now the Water Boy! ROFLMOA

If it's so great, why is Harley out of WSB racing and the VR gone?



Ronco

 

[HoleshotHolset]

HD's engineers went all out (as far as they were concerned... . ) making this bike.



It's hard enough convincing HD owners that water cooled engines are better..... give them some time and they'll realize that OHC is a better setup..... bearing in mind that there will always be dyed-in-the-wool fanatics that will defend their obsession until their last dying breath.



Matt

 

[Casey Ray]

Take the rest of the day off......

Snowman,



Saw the latest commercial with Big Paul saying "Vinnie take the day off". WTF? Guess we'll see tonight.



Casey



Saw the episode, Congrats to Vinnie and his wife on the new born. Vinnie should drop kick Paul Sr.



Later.

 

[Snow man]

take the day off .

 

[Wheaties]

I think Paul Sr is applying a little psychology---he's smarter than he looks If he can't get through to Paul Jr by yelling, and he can't exactly let his own son go, he can at least illicit sympathy for poor Vinnie who is definitely getting the short end of the stick. Sounds like a boot camp training strategy to get the cadets to work as a team and help the guy lagging behind.



Paul Sr is right when he says he's the guy cutting the check and what he says goes. But I still feel sorry for Vinnie, especially when he takes the lead in being cool headed.



Matt

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

I think Vinnie needs a RAISE, you listening PAUL SR. ?





:-laf



I think it would take a lot of patience to put up with the crap he does(Vinnie) and no doubt he is talented in his work..... but sometimes Paul Sr. just needs his butt whooped. Any takers?





Don