Vinnie over the next few weeks has a couple of scheduled appearences in various places. I wonder if he will have any bikes at those shows?

I'm glad he left. Watching the show over the years, he has the most overall talent. He knows how to use all of the equipment, he contributes to all of the problem solving, and he is much brighter than paul jr.

I don't have money now but I will in 2 years and if I do decide to get a chopper, I would much rather vinnie make it for me than the no talent idiots at occ.

Vinnie knew how to work all of the equipment because OCC PAID for much of his training I'm sure. Secondly that was his job! Jr. is the idea man or designer and I'm pretty sure from time to time Jr. has admitted that he was not that great of a bike builder, the nuts and bolts of it.

Sure Vinnie's talent is obvious at the mechanical end, but what about his creative talents? Can he conceptualize a bike and bring it to a finished product?

I'd have to admit that OCC's latest work has been somewhat boring. What I think we forget is many of their latest projects have been for Charities and are making a difference in someones lives.

If I wanted a bike to look at I would hire Jr to design it.

If I wanted a bike to ride and work I would hire Vinnie to build it.

If the show begins to stray from building creative bikes, it will no longer be compelling. The family factor was different but has worn thin. The creativity of the fabrication, art and mechanics is what makes the show work. The rest is just circus.

After a visit to OCC country earlier this month, Cody left not long after to work with Vinnie on his new endeavor. They are both likely "non-competive" contractually prohibited from both OCC and Discovery/TLC to work on motorcycles or TV shows for some period of time-possibly YEARS!

[quote]After a visit to OCC country earlier this month, Cody left not long after to work with Vinnie on his new endeavor. They are both likely "non-competive" contractually prohibited from both OCC and Discovery/TLC to work on motorcycles or TV shows for some period of time-possibly YEARS![/quote]


Earlier this month? This all played out last August.

[quote]If I wanted a bike to look at I would hire Jr to design it.

If I wanted a bike to ride and work I would hire Vinnie to build it.[/quote]

I don't know that I buy that. You can't believe everything you see on TV, including Jr.'s abilities. What is portrayed is what the editors/producers want portrayed to boost ratings -- not to improve your opinion of the guys.

There are countless examples of Jr. deciding how to build something so that it would be functional and reliable. There are also countless examples of Jr. deciding how to build something so that it favors looks over function. It depends upon who the bike is being built for and what the purpose of the bike will be.

I'm guessing if you can afford one of their bikes (either OCC or if V Force ever builds one) either one would be as reliable as the other (neither one builds the engine/tranny after all). And I would guess that the OCC production bikes will probably look better than V Force bikes -- but since they haven't built one yet we don't know.

Don't get me wrong, I'm wasted on American Chopper (mostly the "lets flaunt our wealth" segments or the "lets destroy everything we can" segments), and I hope Vinnie and Cody are successful. But until we see what Vinnie and Cody can build and produce, it's hard to make blanket statements that favor VFC.

I agree. Editing and production makes all the difference in the world.

I have also enjoyed the show since the beggining and think that the loss of Vinnie will be a big factor for not only the show, but the company also.

As far as why, that is between Vinnie and the company (i.e. Sr and Jr.).

I will say that based on what I understand is some of the buisness practices of the the Teutul's, I would not be shock to see it having to do with money.

Not sure how many on here know about OCC related buisness being sued, but Turner Construction and a few others have/had suits against Orange County Ironworks Inc for possible fraud and other items and Sr. Jr. and Daniel are named as defendants.

Here is some info to link that may help understand what Sr. Jr and Daniel have been accused of.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/NEWS/708100332/-1/NEWS

The bankruptcy fraud is also old news.

A case that was only scheduled for September 07 isn't old news. It probably hasn't even been heard as of yet.

[quote]A case that was only scheduled for September 07 isn't old news. [/quote]


Actually it is. We have been discussing this since last summer when the article first saw the light of day.

I wish Vinnie all the luck in the world with his new venture. He and Rick were the reasons why I watched. I will be honest and say that I had quit watching--because it seemed to be the same in the shouting, blaming, wrecking everything, etc. Same old same old every time except whose bike they Vinnie & Rick) were building. I guess they really forgot where they came from.

Second of all, I am like rscalzo, the bankruptcy fraud is not all that old in news. It becomes old news when the case has been heard and ruled on. I did learn something.. after all these years. I was under the impression that Danny owned the ironworks (Sr. was always talking about Danny owning & running the ironworks) and now I find out that the real owner was Jr.

Like everyone else I'm sad to see Vinnie go but he was getting abused and thery didn't take care of him. Now that Sr. and Paulie are stars and have appearance committments Vinnie is left with the burden of getting the bikes finished. I think he was a little burnt out but if they took care of him half as much as they took care of Mikie he would have stayed. I think the Teutul were a little cold when he left and Sr.'s comment that anyone can be replaced tells the whole story. I hope Rick leaves too and him and Vinnie open up their own shop and hit it big. Good luck Vinnie!

Vin will be making World of Wheels appearances
all over the US to meet his fans and sign stuff.
V Force has no bike in the show. V Force One
will be the first custom bike built by Vin and
Cody see the video "shop tour" for details
at Vforcecustoms.com

My 4 year old and I had a pic taken with him at World of Wheels in Glendale, AZ this past weekend. What a nice guy! I wanted to ask him why he left but chickened I figured he would probably be asked 100 times that day. Anyway real nice guy, he had a conversation with my 4 year old, signed an autograph for him and he lit right up. He really is the kick back guy we all saw on TV! You know it's true when a 4 year old says "mom, he was cool!"

Best of luck to you Vinnie! Thanks for taking 5 to talk to my son, means the world to me and him!!!!

Only just seen the episode where vinnie left (bit behing in the UK).

I don't really know what all the fuss was about.

Mikey obviously was upset and even admitted a couple of times he would love to leave and seem to mean it (especially the second time he said it).

Paul jnr also looked like he was upset and even said 'I love you' as he was leaving.

Paul snr isnt really an emotional person and it was sprung on him and did credit Vinnie although it was a little forced.

I thought it was kinda nice ending.

Vinny I just found out that you left the show (bummer) I know with God's help you will be very sucessful. You are a very gifted bike builder. I want to visit your new shop to see your and Cody's great builds. God bless you my friend. Sr and Jr's loss.

Try this, you might have a better chance of him even seeing it .. http://www.vforcecustoms.com/

the episode where vinnie left finally reached my shores this week and although it's old news now, i'd still like to say a few words on his departure.
few singaporeans have ever heard of vinnie, let alone occ. when our cable operator started showing american chopper on discovery channel couple of years ago, it created a buzz among the locals.
it was fun to see father and son yelling at each other, but the real draw was the cool bikes they built and the whole process each of them go through, from sketch pad to stage.
throughout the episodes, we've seen our fair share of egos and wealth-flaunting but one thing can't be denied. i think vinnie says it all at one episode when a reporter asks at a press conference (can't remember which theme bike it was) "Who are you?", to which vinnie replied pointing to the teutuls "they yell at me, i build the bikes."
yes they took him to europe and australia blah blah blah but all that money seems to have gone to the teutuls' heads to a point they feel that they're "already made it big".
they're doing everything BUT build bikes these days. instead, they're busy smashing things up (because it makes good reality tv) and unveiling bikes which they never built. and not once did i hear at any of these unveilings did they give credit to the real people who actually designed and built them.
so here's to jason, jim, rick, cody, nubby and whomever i miss out, I salute you. YOU GUYS are the real heroes of the show.
Most of all, to Vin, all the best of luck to you and to all your future endeavors. You're the best bike builder, fabricator, pipe maker, wireman, everything in the world.

American Chopper The Series and OCC are history to me.

Rick has left too! Welcome Rick

Can anyone confirm this?

Rick was at Daytona Bike Week on business for OCC.

http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/occ/news.html?event_daytona2008.html

The schedule.

Feb 29th - March 9th, 2008
Daytona, FL

Orange County Choppers is happy to announce that OCC will be at this years Daytona Bike Week festival. Be sure to come say hello to the guys from OCC and check out our production bike line at the OCC Motorcycles trailer.

OCC Daytona Event Schedule:

New OCC Motorcycles Trailer Located at the Speedway
New OCC Production Bikes on Display
OCC Authentic Merchandise available for purchase

Meet the guys from OCC March 6, 7, 8
March 6th
10AM -12PM - Jason and Rick
12PM - 1:30PM - Mikey and Paulie
2PM - 4PM - Jason and Rick
4:30PM - 6PM - Mikey and Paulie

March 7th
10AM - 11:30AM - Paulie and Jason
12PM - 2PM - Rick and Mikey
2:30PM - 4PM - Paulie and Jason
4PM - 6PM - Rick and Mikey

March 8th
10AM - 12PM - Jason and Rick
1PM - 4PM - Jason and Rick

I am really sorry to see vinnie go and if rick left the show that really is sad. I love watching them make the bikes but the yelling and destroying things is getting a little much.
What kind of message does that send to the kids that watch the show, well if they can do that then so can I.
I thought the show was about building great bikes and not about yelling or destroying things.
I also would like to wish vinnie and rick (if he really has left) the best of luck, I really enjoyed watching these two work. Good luck guys.

Rick didn't leave ... yet, just Vinnie and Cody.

And kids shouldn't get a "message" from shows like AC ... if they ARE that easily influenced then the parents have done something wrong. It's not the job of TV to show kids right from wrong.

[quote]I thought the show was about building great bikes and not about yelling or destroying things.
I also would like to wish vinnie and rick (if he really has left) the best of luck, I really enjoyed watching these two work. Good luck guys.[/quote]


From the beginning, the show has been about a father and son who happen to build bikes. It was the yelling and destroying things that got people in the first place to sit down and watch. Bike building is what the happend to do.

Vinnie - best of luck to you from poland! you can do it!

There's pics and a video of the new V Force 1 bike on their web site.

It's ok. very basic all black paint. I didn't care for the exhaust. That's surprising because Vinnie did some awesome exhausts at OCC. I guess it's not too bad for their first bike.

I totally miss Vinnie, the show is just not the same. The quality is no longer there, he and Rick provided some much need genuine stability plus talent. Jason is annoying to watch. Good luck Vinnie, you've got great talent; glad to see you chose family first.

I agree with Ziggy there^^. The show has lost so much with Vinnie being gone.Seems like all thats coming out are celebrity bikes,while nice,they just arent quite the same.There's a mechanical coldness,no pun intended there,heh,but from like the 1st season,there used to be a sense of warmth in every bike built.Now its like all about money.
I still love the show,but I find myself not watching faithfully the way I used to. I scanned over the earlier posts,and someone else said the same thing I have been thinking,that with the direction the show has been going,its most likely well on the way to being cancelled.I hope something changes before that happens!!
Vinnie,if you do stop by here anymore,best of luck to you!

How many new episodes have actually been on since Vinnie left? I didn't think that many. I liked Vinnie, but the show doesn't seem that different to me since he left. They were already devoting half of each show to foolishness before he left.

It was a real shame to see Vinnie leave should have been Paulie Jr seeing Vinnie fixed up most of his stuff ups. Wont be the same without you Vinnie.

[quote]It was a real shame to see Vinnie leave should have been Paulie Jr seeing Vinnie fixed up most of his stuff ups. Wont be the same without you Vinnie.[/quote]

Two things. First, I totally agree with you oldskl73. Second, for everybody who's known me for sometime, I didn't want anyone thinking I changed my name again. It's just a coincidence that oldskl73 and I have such similar screen names, not to mention great taste in names. LOL. Just wanted to avoid any confusion incase... And I hope to be keeping this for as long as the boards keep going...

Watched the new episode last night and thought about how much better the show was with Vinnie. I still enjoyed it but it really would have been better with Vinnie. OCC is interviewing for builders now and it makes you sick to see them asking "corperate questions" to the canidates. They miss the point, Vinnie was "family", he put the reality in the reality show. American Chopper is just a show now. Too big for thier britches, forgetful of friends, spoiled ass brats! You never hear any mention of friends on the show and I suspect it's because they have none. Good luck to Vinnie and Cody I wish them a prosperous venture!

Successful companies always go through this change. They start out small family/friend oriented and if they grow they have to become more corporate. You can't run a big company with only family and friends. You eventually have to find the best person for each position ... if for no other reason, you'll eventually run out of family and friends to fill all of your spots!

I actually thought the episode last night was pretty good. Still a lot of fluff, but considering some of the episodes last season, there was a decent amount of fabrication. I thought the nurled handlebars were a good idea.

[quote]OCC is interviewing for builders now and it makes you sick to see them asking "corperate questions" to the canidates.[/quote]

You do realise that OCC is a business. Why not ask business realted questions? It's not about asking what the perspective employee likes on his pizza.

If they DID ask me, I'd say "I like sausage and roasted peppers the best."

How about the others?

Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Sausage

Rick has not left OCC, I was at the grand opening yesterday and had my picture taken with him...

grilled garlic chicken, peppers, and sun dried tomatoes on a thin crust.

That's if you're buying, Incognito.

[quote]maddawg271
Junior Member

Registered: 04-25-08 Posted 04-25-08 06:43 PM Rick has not left OCC, I was at the grand opening yesterday and had my picture taken with him...[/quote]

What is Rick's favorite pizza?

[quote]Senior Member

Registered: 06-09-06 Posted 04-25-08 07:58 PM grilled garlic chicken, peppers, and sun dried tomatoes on a thin crust.

That's if you're buying, Incognito.[/quote]

Of course I'll buy you a GOURMET pizza!! Did you want feta on that?

Feta would be great, thanks!

Incognito57 since your buying pizzas I will take a pepperoni and Mushroom and sausage please.

OK! But who's got the BEER????
(Uhhhh - WINE for Witega!)

Ok I'll bring the Beer plus maybe some Rum and coke.

Ktrickel and Walls could share a pizza - they like the same toppings.

I'll bring some wine. Gragnano and Chianti are good with pizza...so I'll bring both.

Whatever happened to "eatmorepizza"? If this party gets any bigger, we can use her expertise.

I can bring desert how about brownies plus I can make a cake or Homemade Keylime Pie.