Chopper Live on Discovery Channel: Paul Sr. vs Junior vs. Jesse James biker build-off

I don’t know about you, but I think this biker build-off is a day late and a dollar short. Back in the prime of their respective shows on Discovery Channel, everyone was salivating at the idea of these guys squaring off. That being said, I’ll totally watch this!

I’ll go on record to say that I think Jesse James is the far superior builder out of the three, but if this is left up to voting from the viewer audience I don’t think Jesse has a prayer. His public persona is swirling around the bowl and while he still has a core fan base, much of the general public JUST. DOESN’T. LIKE. HIM. And based on the poll that’s on the show’s page, Paul Jr. is smoking him in the popular vote.

Chopper Live: biker build-off between Jesse James, Paul Sr. and Paul Jr

DISCOVERY CHANNEL FAN FAVORITE JESSE JAMES RETURNS TO BATTLE SENIOR AND JUNIOR IN THE ULTIMATE BIKE COMPETITION

Fasten your seatbelt. Paul Teutul Sr. and Paul Teutul Jr. are about to go head to head – or helmet to helmet – as they put their personal issues aside and get down to business this Dec. 5 and 6 at 9:00pm ET/PT.

But it’s not just the Teutuls who will be putting their skills and their ego on the line. Jesse James, who made his television debut on the Discovery Channel, will return to the network for the first time since 2006 to take on the Teutuls. James will be joining father and son in his attempt to prove that one doesn’t need the surname Teutul to win the title of master bike builder. After all, James’ Discovery documentary, Motorcycle Mania, paved the road for the motorcycle revolution that hit television in the years that followed.

Jesse James and the Teutuls previously shared time on the network with their respective shows, but now these combustible characters will share the same stage for the first time. The fierce competition and live results special will test the breaking points of the Teutuls family feud and Jesse James’ notoriously hot temper.

Coming on the heels of American Chopper’s return to Discovery Channel last year, the veteran show will take its success to new levels with its first LIVE event. In this two-night special, Chopper fans will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite bike after seeing the three finished products during our regularly scheduled American Chopper on Monday, Dec. 5, at 9pm ET/PT. The following evening, Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 9:00pm ET/PT, American Chopper Live will air straight from the strip in downtown Las Vegas, NV. What better place than Sin City to crown the winner of this unique bike building competition?

Will Senior’s years of experience give him the edge? Will Junior’s younger outlook lead him to victory? Or will wild card Jesse James wipe the floor with the two of them?

More info about the show can be found at: dsc.discovery.com/tv/american-chopper/chopper-live
Plus, there’s a nifty sweepstakes to enter!

What do you guys think about this 3-way build-off? Who do you think will win?

114 Responses

CR Thompson says:

December 6, 2011 at 11:09 pm

Just finished watching the “Biker Build Off”…& it disapoints me that Paul Jr won………….I guess what I’ve been told by bikers older & wiser than me is true……we’re an extinct breed……….the modern day “bikers” are just a bunch of rubes………$50,000 & 50 miles don’t make you a biker..As you are I once was……….As I am you will never be……..Bootdaddy…..

Road Dawg Rob says:

December 6, 2011 at 11:12 pm

It was a motorcycle build-off? WTF? Jesse build a dependable everday ride that is show quality -Pauls Sr AND Jr do not have the skill in their pinky finger that Jesse does. After all, their first work with iron was in ornate iron gates, etc Jesse should have burned rubber off that stage-and knowing Jesse -he would have RIDDEN HIS MOTORCYCLE ALL THE WAY BACK TO AUSTIN-NO PROBLEM.

- Paul Beebe says:
  
  January 9, 2012 at 8:47 pm
  
  All this talk about how Jesse builds “real nikes” is aload of crap. I have been around bikes since the 60′s and Paul Jr. is the natural evolution of bike builders. Jesse’s bike was barely functional. He couldn’t even see around the bars and headlight- he had to lean to one side. Who builds a bike like that and then says “my bike is built for riding Hundreds of miles”….BS. Paul Jr. is the
  Picasso of bike building. His designs will be the “standard” for years to come. All the haters on this page are the same as Paul Sr.: childish and immature without a creative bone in their bodies…. Paul Sr. will be totally lost the day Rick finally gets enough and walks over to Paul Jr.’s shop.
  
Road Dawg Rob says:

December 6, 2011 at 11:34 pm

Paul Sr and Jr DO have some skill, after all they did start working with iron building iron gates, etc., etc. To even think that BUILDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT CONSIDERING IF IT IS CAPABLE OF BEING RIDDEN IS PURE IGNORANCE! Jesse builds dependable everday rides that are show quality. Jesse should have burned rubber off that stage and ridden it all the way back to Austin-the Jesse we know probably did ride it home, that is his M.O. After all the pawing and fawning over Paul Jr.(puke) was over, they stuck that peice of art in a trailer and went home thinking they were real bike builers and they are not. Like Jesse said-Jr’s bike could never be ridden -just because it has two wheels does not a motorcycle make-ya got to be able to ride it!! Speaking of the wheels on Jr’s bike-they were so huge they looked like oxcart wheels. 1 gallon gas “tank”? You mean one gallon gas bubble. We have been riding for 30 years and 1 gallon doesn’t take you anywhere but back to the showroom to sit there so people can think you are a “bike builder”. What a joke.Jesse built the best MOTORCYCLE. The Paul’s built “art” that they can let sit on their showroom floor and brag about it. jesse can do that too….but then he can jump on it and go ANYWHERE…WHATever.This “build-off” was a joke. The skill was Jesse all the way.

Kevin says:

December 7, 2011 at 12:23 am

I don’t know what sr’s angle was goin the route he did with that machine. It was cool, no doubt, but not a bike. Jesse’s bike was nice, elegant and built to ride but had zero wow factor. JJ’s skill in fabrication is undeniable but so is the fact that he lacks imagination. His bike was not the sick evil monster he described. It was a well built, rideable JJ creation but that’s where it stops. PJD created something that made you wanna see it up close and touch it then put it in a museum. Will it ride all day to sturgis? I bet it would if your butt can take it and there were enough gas stations along the way. Fact may be that it’s not made for everyday use but we all know he can build a durable bike if that’s what he was going for, so why get hung up on that? He sacrificed having a “rider” to show off his creative ability which is what makes him stand out. Sorry he didn’t build a Huffy with an engine on it but he did build the best bike.

Gp-FL says:

December 7, 2011 at 12:28 am

Saw the show part one last night. First of all that Jason guy at OCC should be fired. He is just a punk kid who knows how use a computer. He is not a rider. Just coming up with ideas he gets from video games. That crap thing with the flame throwers looks like a radio control toy from Radio Shack. Jesse is a true biker and his bike is a true rider you can go anywhere in. JJ is a master builder of the three. I personally like his bike best. But JJ did just build his same ole design. He stayed in his comfort zone and did push himself to get creative. As for design and WOW factor, PJD did knock the game out of the park. His bike came out awesome, creative and smooth. Great for a contest and a museum. Just a nice bike to look at. Not a realistic bike one can ride to to the local biker joint. My rider taste goes to JJ. But PJD will win based on creativity.
My two cents.

Wayne says:

December 7, 2011 at 12:38 am

I’ve been riding motorcycles…stock, chopped, butt ups, and dirt for 45 years. Jesse James builds nearly the same bike every time. An uncomfortable, barely rideable, dated example of his stunted design capability. Paul Sr. should thank Jr. for his wealth and success because without Jr. he’d be back in his basement building crap old school bikes for people my age and older. Jr. on the other hand remains a class act in spite of his father’s abusive behavior. Jr. builds “real” motorcycles that many of us can only dream about. They are far more rideable than the same old uncomfortable crap coming from Jesse James. Back in the mid seventies I rode a chopper much like Jesse’s bike. I rode that thing (as well as other bikes I had at the time) to the grocery store, to the mountains, to the river, to the desert and yes even snow skiing. I rode with clubs to the Kern river, to Laughlin, NV, to Las Vegas. I rode with some Hell’s Angels, Heathens, Chosen Few, Hessians etc. I rode it up and down the West Coast zig-zagging back and forth from the ocean to the interior, from the Mexican border to Canada. I’ve ridden from Portland, Oregon to Hermosa Beach, CA only stopping for gas and coffee! I rode it loaded with a sleeping bag, tent, cooking gear and clothes, and even a cute little seat filler stuffed between the sissy bar and me. I tried to build that bike with comfort in mind, but still being a chopper. And, again, it was much like Jesse’s bike. It was horrible! Although, in those days, it made me feel like Peter Fonda in Easy Rider, I’d have been better off with a bike more like Dennis Hopper’s. I also had ’50 Panhead with a stretched springer, no front brake, no rake in the neck and a suicide shifter living in the San Francisco Bay Area. That was a fun bike to ride on the hills of San Francisco (not).

Jr. builds bikes much more like Dennis Hopper’s. Something low and sleek, with good rider positioning and stylish to boot. Anyone that has put on over a 100,000 miles in a year and half on a motorcycle like I did knows the difference in something that’s truly rideable and something that’s not. All you idiots commenting here that think Jesse James is a true builder haven’t ridden any further than the corner bar or the occasional poker run. Get out and do some actual riding and the true builder…..Paul Jr. will become evident.

jimmydonjoebillybob says:

December 7, 2011 at 1:06 am

Jr…was there ever any doubt? JJ’s retreaded tired…old school (leave the stainless for the kitchen sink) and Sr’s “treaded” abomination…what…has he gone green now, too? Don’t make me puke. This contest was really three separate classes anyway.

Paulie won “Best of Show”. Nice ride, Jr!

Billy Jean says:

December 7, 2011 at 1:13 am

Jessy is a very sore loser, all his bikes look the same. If you want to see his work look in every chopper magazine, there all the same. I think It’s funny how Jessy is the only one who builds “real” bikes. I guess if your a big fat sweaty biker it is comfortable to barely be able to see over the handle bars and hold your arms up over your had for hours on end. Jr built the best bike here hands down, the best man and most original won. All the west coasters that like to look at the same bike evertime will love all of Jessy’s work cause they look like every bike in their easyrider magazines. And Sr’s contraption was just that, that wasn’t even in the same category as the other two. At least Jessy did make a bike(just like his last 3 bikes but still a bike). I would love to see the actual vote counts to see how much Jr whooped everyone.

- Miles says:
  
  December 7, 2011 at 12:10 pm
  
  Junior didn’t build anything, he put it together with a lot of help. He basically bought the frame, Vin and the other guy fabbed all the sheet metal, including that huge 1 gallon tank. The rest Junior just sent out or had done on a computer. I will give him credit for bringing his imagination to life.
  
  I like Jesses bike, a-hole or not. Wouldn’t be caught dead riding Junior’s circus toy, but it’s for show purposes only. Different classes like the guy said, matter of taste.
  
jimmydonjoebillybob says:

December 7, 2011 at 1:14 am

Jr! …uh…was there ever any doubt? JJ’s retreaded tired…old school (leave the stainless for the kitchen sink) and Sr’s “treaded” abomination…what…has he gone green now, too? Don’t make me puke. This contest was really three separate classes anyway.

Paulie won “Best of Show”. Nice ride, Jr!

jorge says:

December 7, 2011 at 4:44 am

I know this is not about father and son intervention i hate senior cause he always tryng to put down his son instead of giving him.the credit of him becoming more creative than him and a bunch o people that work whit him…!!! And junior bike looks awesome

- KrazyKatz says:
  
  April 4, 2012 at 2:32 pm
  
  Jr. is a spoiled little shit that would have NOTHING without his Dad. He is responsible for the conflict between him and his Dad. W drug into work late, left early, sat on his ass and told the other guys what to do. He left the shop area looking like a pigsty with all of his cups, food cartons, etc. His Dad had every right to scream and yell at Jr. because he obviously didn’t understand normal talk. He should be on his knee’s thanking the old man for teaching a lifelong skill so he would be able to make a decent living. Now, the little shit has sued his Dad, got millions from the old man and still is NOT happy!!!! He still does nothing but tell the other guys what to do. He sends all of his parts out to be painted and orders most everything else. I hope one day soon he has a live altering event that will shake him to his core. Then, maybe HE will understand an appreciate ALL his Dad has done and given him. He and his brother need to be taken out behind the barn and given a damn good ass whipping and made to apologize to their DAD! I cannot stand either of the son’s. Paul Sr. you have my sympathy and my prayers. You deserve respect from your son’s, not the shit they are dishing out. I have quit watching the shop because I can’t stand to see Paul Sr. trying to make amends for something he DIDN’t do.
  
SPE says:

December 7, 2011 at 12:30 pm

JJ came off like a giant douche canoe in this show. If he ever gets out from behind his own ego then maybe he can take a step forward.

- JohnnySprocket says:
  
  December 12, 2011 at 4:21 pm
  
  I agree with you 100%. What a JACKA@#! He spent more time making fun of Jr and Sr than anything else. It’s obvious the guy isn’t too intelligent. He talked the entire first half about how no one but him makes their own bike then brings in the speedshop to help. He is old school and does everything by hand but I suspect it’s becuase he doesn’t know or undertsand how to use modern technology. Same reason why people still use typewritters and swear they are awesome. His EGO is as big as my d@#$! A few years ago I remember watching a show where he a Kid Rock rode down in Mexico. They tlaked to whole time before going about how no one would know who they were and how great it would be to be themselves. What’s the first thing they do once they crossed the border? Told everyone who they are and laughed becasue this kid didn’t know. Douche bag doesn’t say enough. And his masterpiece bike? He got his inspiration from a bicycle at Wlamart.
  
robin says:

December 7, 2011 at 7:49 pm

I think jesse built the best bike. Bikes are ment to ride not to sit and stare at. Jr did build a nice bike but it not a rider. I would rather spend the money on something that could actually take me some where’s. I can’t say that sr and jr don’t build nice bikes. But for me it really comes done to riding or driving my toys. There is nothing better. I think jesse should do another show. He’s worth watching. I don’t need to hear a family feud on tv. I just want to see something fing cool. Jesse is the best at what he does and there is no one that can change that. All hale jesse

Lowstar says:

December 7, 2011 at 9:41 pm

Ok let’s take a good look at the builders and an honest one. JJ’s bike was more of a real bike but not really, good luck watching the road riding that one. He did make the frame but really that was about it, true to style it was a bare bones bike with no WOW factor. To his credit it was the only bike that could actually be road down the highway if you had a periscope, that being said he wins the award for actually building a bike that can go down the road more or less. Jr. he build more works of art than motorcycles that for sure, he make cool looking pieces of art. I don’t think he is any less of a builder than JJ’s both of them used parts off the shelf and had people help them build their bikes period. So the award for WOW factor went to Jr. in my book and richly deserved. Sr. he made a very cool machine although not a motorcycle but a very cool machine heck I would have a blast riding it and start one hell of a camp fire!! To boot!! That being said there is a very good chance that Sr. built that bike for a reason there are a few I can think of as a father.

One final note, if they really do want to have a “biker build off” there should be some rules in place that would end a lot of what is going around on the internet. For example if they had a rule that said that the bikes must have a tank big enough to be ridden at least 100 miles on it, that would make it big difference. What if they had a rule that said the x% of the bike had to be hand fabricated or that only certain items could be “bolt on” i.e. engine and transmission, brakes, head lights etc. another rule could be that the actual builder must build the bike with the help of no more than two people. All of these things would make it a different game all together. Instead what do they do put together a show with three builders who go in three different directions set no rules and watch the chaos from the viewers and laugh all the way to the bank! Personally I think they were all winners in their own rights all three bikes were worlds different.
Those are my thoughts for what its worth.

DaveMeads says:

December 11, 2011 at 5:20 am

I felt a bit bad for SR. but in keeping with his often professed “it just is what it is” Mantra you have to realize that he has brought all of the negative sentiment upon himself. He really took the bad-mouthing of his son’s way too far, especially given the fact that they seemed uninterested in sinking to his level and retaliating in kind. After the Cadillac build off it should have been abundantly clear that, even though OCC has a more technically advanced shop, all of the vision and creativity walked out the door with Paulie, Mikey and Vinnie. (Not to mention 95% of the class (OCC gets 5% for Rick)). Adding Jesse James to the mix was an interesting move. You would have thought he would use the opportunity to improve his image but as usual, the loudest, most annoying tool in Jesse James’ shop was Jesse himself. Perhaps he believes all his own rhetoric, most narcissistic people do. To the rest of us, however, he will always be the douche that bailed on sweetheart Sandra Bullock for mangy Cat VonDimwit. In the end Kudos to PJD for the well deserved win and extra kudos to Paul Jr. for sharing the credit with his team (A classy move by a man who has shown great humility during this 2 year long drama) As for Sr., Cool toy dude. I have a strange feeling that there was an underlying motive behind his choice of project. I hope I am correct about this because if he does not stop the fighting and badmouthing that he has engaged in so far, he will never be a part of his son’s lives. Though SR. Will most likely never read this I will take the time to say something to him personally, just in case. “Sr. man you have to wake up and be the bigger man. I have an adult son too. He’s headstrong, knows everything and certainly has a different idea about work ethic than I do, but no matter how mad I get, or how much I disagree with his choices, He has turned into a fine young man whom I am very proud of. I hope you can see past the issues that anger you and realize that your son has done some extraordinary things. Just because he did them differently than you would of should make you even prouder of him. You need to acknowledge that when you thought you were “Giving” him a fish, he was actually learning how to catch them himself. So take pride in the man he is, don’t be pissed because he’s not the man you think he should be. As for Mr. Bullock err. James, sorry, easy mistake to make. Perhaps next time less shit talking and more innovation, and perhaps a little credit to all of those who helped. I had never seen him or his show before, and this appearance by him has cured me of any desire to see him in the future. I guess in the end creativity is molded by our individual taste and Mr. James’s taste is certainly suspect. I’m sorry dude. I have to just bluntly ask. “Ditching Sandra Bullock for Cat VonD”???? What the fuck were you thinking. I don’t know what drugs you were on that contributed to the biggest case of “trading down” that I have ever heard of but, I would avoid them in the future because, Dude, they made you retarded.(and it appears that either you are still on them or the effect is permanent)

sam swain says:

December 13, 2011 at 7:45 pm

hey jesse loved your bike i am 56 years old i started riding at 12 years old on a h.d.125 italian sprint.i wonder if jr. & sr.know what a K model flat track dirt bike is,my best friend dad raced them and he was a hell of a rider no BRAKES!!! if you go up against jr. again build a bike with covered wagan wheels & your theam could be the wizard of OZ make the next bike like the TIN MAN!!!with smoke coming out of his head. HA HA !!! I still ride HD & dam proud of it & V.N.VET. THANK YOU FOR BEING A BROTHER YOUR FRIEND AWAYS SAM SAWIN

Tjeff says:

December 18, 2011 at 3:04 pm

Junior won hands down. I agree that ‘parameters’ would help in regards to making one more rider friendly or not. As far as bike against bike, Juniors was hands down. Seniors??? was it even a bike??? Maybe he has a plan for such a vehicle… if so, he should have made it more rider friendly.

jesse’s bike? There are thousands that look outwardly just the same. Him being a blacksmith? Means nothing. It looks the same as the others.

I give much credit to Junior for being positive, including his hot ass wife in decisions, and keeping his silly brother around. He shows the love for his family more people should.

Shannon says:

March 17, 2012 at 11:31 pm

It’s about pushing the limits on these bikes and moving forward with innovative design. Look at the Chev, Ford and Dodge industry what looks better there new cars and trucks or something from the 30′s,40′s and 50′s don’t get me wrong all those years of cars and trucks are fantastic to look at but that’s about it. They had there place and day now they are considered collectors and are driven like collectors too. It’s time to move on to bigger better and more desirable fun things to drive the crap out of.

Shannon says:

March 17, 2012 at 11:41 pm

Junior is the man and will always be the man to push the envelope. When has Jesse James ever pushed the envelope? he hasn’t, his bike’s are as boring to look at as Kat Von Dee is to watch on L.A INK, thank god for N.Y INK and Senior is floating around on a prayer. If it wasn’t for Junior there would be no American Chopper or OCC. People went there to get bike’s built by Junior not Senior. All those one of a kind designs are his designs and always will be.

Amie says:

April 9, 2012 at 6:42 pm

Jessie’s bike was the real winner. Built real. Looks real. End of story..