‘Orange County' a big favorite
By Andrea J. Cook, Journal Staff Writer
Outrageous motorcycles, father-and- son sparring matches draw
fans to Orange County Choppers.
Leather-vested bikers mingled with tourists in T-shirts and
sandals waiting for autographs and dreaming about a ride on one
of Orange County Choppers' gleaming motorcycles.
One of the biggest attractions at Black Hills Harley-Davidson
this week is a father-and-son duo from Rock Haven, N.Y. — Paul
Teutul and Paul "Paulie" Teutul Jr.
And, of course, their theme motorcycles — the Jet Bike,
the Black Widow, the Cody Bike, the Fire Bike and the Comanche
Bike.
On Sunday, as many as 1,200 people lined up for the Teutuls'
autographs, according to Terry Rymer, general manager of Black
Hills Harley-Davidson.
The verbally dueling Teutuls and their OCC theme motorcycles
are stars of the Discovery Channel's highest-rated series, "American
Chopper-The Series."
According to a Discovery Channel publicist, 2.5 million viewers
tuned in on a typical Monday night in June to watch the dynamics
of the outspoken and creative team.
A pair of episodes always catches Paul Jr., OCC's chief fabricator,
meticulously creating an incredible theme bike from the raw frame
to a finished work of art.
On the show, a financially savvy Paul Sr. shakes his head and
glares throughout the fabrication process and finally shouts
at Paulie for his poor work habits.
"They remind me of me and my sons. I understand where he's
coming from," Ward Bell said.
Bell and his wife, Helen, were the first people in the OCC autograph
line on Wednesday morning.
They arrived at 6:30 a.m. for the Teutuls' 10 a.m. appearance.
Bell, who has his own imported-auto business in Westchester,
Pa., said he could identify with the senior Teutul's frustrations
with his son's work habits.
"My kids come in late and leave early, too," he said.
It's that frustrating combination of love and hate between father
and sons that appeals to the American Chopper fans, the Teutuls'
sales representative John "Mr. D" DiMartino said.
"The U.S. was born on father-and-son businesses," DiMartino
continued.
And fathers and sons fight, he said.
"They love it," DiMartino said. "Mine included."
DiMartino is the father of Paulie's patient co-worker Vinnie
DiMartino.
"Paul's from the old school. He came from nothing to build
two multimillion dollar businesses. He's got the snot and the
drive," DiMartino said.
Paul Jr. is talented, but he doesn't have his father's focus,
he said.
But don't let Paul Sr.'s growl fool you, DiMartino said. "He's
a real good-hearted person."
American Chopper rocketed to fame after a one-hour documentary
that featured Paulie building the Jet Bike displayed this week
at Black Hills Harley-Davidson.
A special called "The Cody Bike" followed, and Discovery
picked up the Teutuls for a 26-episode season.
The Teutuls' creativity has taken the motorcycle world to the
next step, Jerry Dunham of St. Louis said.
"It takes a certain enthusiasm to build one of these," he
said, his gaze drifting across the gleaming motorcycles.
Dunham, a veteran of seven Sturgis motorcycle rallies, said
he always finds something special to see at the Sturgis rally.
This year it was OCC.
"I like their attitude. They take it (motorcycling) seriously," Dunham
said.
"Anyone can go in to Harley-Davidson and buy a bike," he
added. "Ten thousand dollars and 10,000 miles doesn't make
a biker."
If you want to order a stock OCC chopper, prices start in the
mid-$30,000s, and production takes about 14 weeks. Theme bikes
take three to six months.
Fans looking for Orange County's Fire Bike will find the motorcycle
on display in downtown Sturgis between Third and Fourth streets.
Mikey Teutul and Cody, the Rock Tavern teenager, who works at
OCC, are working that booth.
Vinnie DiMartino arrives in Rapid City today to join the Teutuls
for the weekend. Autograph signing is from 10 a.m to noon and
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com
