The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Big Bikes and Big Egos on TLC’s American Chopper
November 18, 2009

Orange County Choppers (OCC) has been great for the motorcycle community. The show has introduced the art and technical prowess required to take a concept and make it into a one of a kind motorcycle. Paul Teutul, Sr., Paul, Jr., and the rest of the OCC Team have turned their passion for motorcycles into wealth, fame, and the respect of the motorcycle community.

Along with their bikes, viewers have also fallen for the family drama involved with the OCC business.

Founded in 1999 as a side business/hobby, Paul Sr. started Orange County Choppers in Orange County, NY and began making limited run custom choppers. Already successful from his steel manufacturing company, Orange County IronWorks, OCC reached new heights when the Discovery Channel (now The Learning Channel) decided to do a feature show on their chopper business called American Chopper. Every episode, OCC creates a custom themed bike documenting everything from the creative process through delivery of the bike.

And then there’s the family drama.

Other than the amazing bikes, what makes American Chopper compelling TV is the constant arguing between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. Essentially, they cannot agree on anything. Their feuding is not a product of the show but from long simmering hostilities from years ago. Paul Sr. has been very frank about his past problems with alcohol and anger, and while he is sober, he is still angry. Paul Jr. shares his father’s passion for motorcycles but does not share his approach and work ethic. With every custom motorcycle build, their clashes have become increasingly intense.

6 Seasons later, American Chopper is a mainstay on The Learning Channel (TLC) and OCC is a multi-million dollar business with international recognition and fame. Their modest original shop in Rock Tavern, NY has been replaced with a huge, modern show room and fabrication center in Newburgh, NY. The Teutul family has also become pop stars appearing on TV shows like ‘My Name is Earl’ and movies like ‘Wild Hogs.’

With their fame and wealth at an all time high, so is their family drama. Both Paul Jr. and Mikey, Paul Jr.’s hapless brother, have left OCC and are not on speaking terms with Paul Sr. Just like the OCC bikes, the drama is getting better and better.