General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Occ

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2008 | 11:13 PM
  #51  
intempestivus's Avatar
intempestivus
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
From:
Default

I've watched the show on and off a bit over the years. I couldn't afford one of their bikes but they do so pretty cool stuff. Not real practical IMO, but cool nonetheless. I also like to see people make it big doing something they love. The haters always come out of the woodwork when that happens but that is usually because they don't have the courage to step out and give it a try themselves. That or they tried and failed so everyone who is successful must therefore be a fraud.
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 06:15 AM
  #52  
Roadjunkie1's Avatar
Roadjunkie1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
From: Chicago.
Default

Originally Posted by Mr Zip
I dig the show. Hate the bikes, but love the show (other then when senior whips out an old school bike).

Read their book. Paul Senior IMO is a dying breed, and I admire the guy. He's a serious biker, blue collar worker who made it on his own by throwing down his retirement money and pushed his chips to the center and won. He's also a recovering hardcore alcoholic whos stayed clean. Whats not to like? I think anyone who begrudges someone elses success is a small minded wussy and flat out jealous. Its fine if YOU succeed, but not when someone else does? He built a product, got a show, and made it big. I would wish that on any one of you, and any one who wants em to fold I'd not pee on your head if your hair was on fire. And you wonder what is wrong with america --- they create jobs, build an american bike and do well. pfft. seriously, whats wrong with some people.

I like the show. I hope they go further. Ill admit It was more interesting with vinnie, because like Paul Sr he was the real deal. Same with Rick. Mikey is nothing but entertainment, but I even like him. Jr Im not sure about, although you cant argue with what he brought to the table.

Rock on OCC
Have to agree with this one. I too admired the old man for many reasons. He overcame substance abuse, was a hard working SOB, seemed to take care about of his family. But on the other hand he didn't get to the top on his own a failed miserably in one area where most businessmen fall short. The recipe for a successful business is easy. Get good people, take care of them, treat them with respect and the business will take care of itself. The number one reason people leave their jobs is due to lack of appreciation, this is where Sr fell short in my book. His arrogance became his own worse enemy. Seemed in the ealry days he really stood by Vinnie and Cody, and then became too hungry for the spot lights.

He was in the right place at the right time. He rolled the dice and cashed in good. His bikes are amusing but as a person that like to ride, very non functional. But to each there own.
 

Last edited by Roadjunkie1; Oct 25, 2008 at 06:17 AM.
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 06:18 AM
  #53  
Roadjunkie1's Avatar
Roadjunkie1
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
From: Chicago.
Default

Originally Posted by 07FXSTC
Billy Joel is an *******...
Thats an understatement!
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 06:24 AM
  #54  
Iamopie2FLHRC's Avatar
Iamopie2FLHRC
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Iraq, South of Baghdad
Default

They came to West Point and were pretty cool guys. They had an entertaining show, and more power to them on making themselves some money.
I can't stand their bikes though. They want a one off throttle body...task it out to another company. They want a one off swing arm...task it out to another company. They a sweet *** paint job...tell their painter to go nuts. OCC = high priced assemblers.
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 08:56 AM
  #55  
golfblues's Avatar
golfblues
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Default

I live about 35 minutes from OCC & the wife & I stopped by OCC this summer when they had a car show going on out front. The place was packed & both Pauls were there signing autographs & taking pictures. The wife got a mug signed & took a picture with Sr. She was thrilled

The story I have heard that started the TV show was that The Discovery Channel was looking to do a show on bike builders & approached another builder with the idea. I don't remember who it was but it was a well known name in the business. They weren't interested in the show but the builder suggested OCC to TDC because of the personalities of the Teutels. Thought they would make good TV. TDC meet them, made an offer & the rest is $$$$$$. Right place, right time. Can't say it's 100% true but that's the local story.
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 09:22 AM
  #56  
TowJam's Avatar
TowJam
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 1
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by golfblues
The story I have heard that started the TV show was that The Discovery Channel was looking to do a show on bike builders & approached another builder with the idea. I don't remember who it was but it was a well known name in the business. They weren't interested in the show but the builder suggested OCC to TDC because of the personalities of the Teutels. Thought they would make good TV. TDC meet them, made an offer & the rest is $$$$$$. Right place, right time. Can't say it's 100% true but that's the local story.
Not true - at least according to a source at The Discovery Channel. When the show was being pitched, the original idea was to highlight the dynamics of a family owned business. TDC was not necessarily looking to spotlight a particular industry or product. But once filming began, the show took on a life of its own and as they say, "the rest is history" (much like the current state of the custom bike market).

Much like "Epic Ride", I found American Chopper to be like a car wreck - I know better than to sit and stare but I can't help but watch. (Although I admit I miss Epic Ride - even if it was nothing more than a 30 minute product placement cheesefest.)
 

Last edited by TowJam; Oct 25, 2008 at 09:26 AM.
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 09:48 AM
  #57  
schumacher's Avatar
schumacher
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 16
From: Springfield, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by schumacher
But I hadn't perfected building 50k custom bikes with a hammer yet
I was being serious.......
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 10:46 AM
  #58  
golfblues's Avatar
golfblues
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Default

Originally Posted by TowJam
Not true - at least according to a source at The Discovery Channel. When the show was being pitched, the original idea was to highlight the dynamics of a family owned business. TDC was not necessarily looking to spotlight a particular industry or product. But once filming began, the show took on a life of its own and as they say, "the rest is history" (much like the current state of the custom bike market).

Much like "Epic Ride", I found American Chopper to be like a car wreck - I know better than to sit and stare but I can't help but watch. (Although I admit I miss Epic Ride - even if it was nothing more than a 30 minute product placement cheesefest.)


That could be true but someone sent TDC to look at the OCC characters. The Teutels just happened to be there & got the part. Credit them for being successful but it wasn't their idea.
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 10:55 AM
  #59  
990rtracer's Avatar
990rtracer
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 48
From: Some were near Sonoma Raceway
Default

Originally Posted by Mr Zip
I dig the show. Hate the bikes, but love the show (other then when senior whips out an old school bike).

Read their book. Paul Senior IMO is a dying breed, and I admire the guy. He's a serious biker, blue collar worker who made it on his own by throwing down his retirement money and pushed his chips to the center and won. He's also a recovering hardcore alcoholic whos stayed clean. Whats not to like? I think anyone who begrudges someone elses success is a small minded wussy and flat out jealous. Its fine if YOU succeed, but not when someone else does? He built a product, got a show, and made it big. I would wish that on any one of you, and any one who wants em to fold I'd not pee on your head if your hair was on fire. And you wonder what is wrong with america --- they create jobs, build an american bike and do well. pfft. seriously, whats wrong with some people.

I like the show. I hope they go further. Ill admit It was more interesting with vinnie, because like Paul Sr he was the real deal. Same with Rick. Mikey is nothing but entertainment, but I even like him. Jr Im not sure about, although you cant argue with what he brought to the table.

Rock on OCC
Mr. Zip is right on here, I couldn't agree more. I will ad that I have always been a car guy and bike guy, although at the time they 1st aired I had been bikeless for about 10 years. Now I have a Kawasaki ZRX 1200 and my beloved 04' Road King and watching them re-kindled my love for motorcycles.

Keith
 
Old Oct 25, 2008 | 11:01 AM
  #60  
JW1200's Avatar
JW1200
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46,845
Likes: 22,534
From: Land of the Free, Home of Jack Daniel's
Default

For me to spend 100k on a bike, Jesse James himself would be the one building.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:16 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE