In spite of all the family drama, Orange County Choppers gave us some incredible bikes. But they aren't all winners.
Things have not been easy for Orange County Choppers (OCC) head honcho Paul Teutul, Sr. Since riding high with a hit TV show (American Chopper) and a tourist-attraction full of desirable bikes, a lot of bad news has taken place: The show got canceled, the shop went bankrupt, and the brand fell somewhat out of favor.
It got so bad that his son - who was half of what made OCC rev - bailed on the old man, quitting everything OCC and writing a tell-all book. OCC has re-emerged while Junior is off doing his own thing. Most recently, the pair filmed a special episode of Chopper that shows them working together again for the first time in many years.
But beneath the bubbling drama are the bikes that made them famous. But they aren't all winners. It's all a matter of taste really. Here are ten OCC bikes we weren't very impressed with and five that we can't stop looking at.
Danica Patrick certainly couldn't drive this (or anything else with a GoDaddy logo on it, apparently). This abomination of a motorcycle likely thrilled GoDaddy when it arrived. But just like a bad sugary cocktail hangover, the warm glow soon wore off and reality set in. This bike is hideous and those two colors should never go together.
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Too bad a dingo didn't eat this ludicrous chopper. A review from down under said it best: "This American-built Aussie chopper represents how the rest of the world sees Australia—as one big souvenir shop." OK, take a chill pill Crocodile Dundee, it could have been a lot worse - it could have a boomerang for a handle bar.
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A penny for your thoughts? This Liberty bike was plated in Statue of Liberty copper. No matter, you can still be a patriot and hate on this awful bike. The cruiser is ridiculously long, sits incredibly low and has pull-up bars for handles - not exactly what you are looking for if you are poor, tired or yearning to breathe free.
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A shout-out to the United States Marines who sacrifice everyday for our country. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, this bike is a rolling disaster of design. The colors are, of course, Marine standard, but they are used to terrible effect here. Everything from the wheel coverings to the button-festooned gas tank is just plain awful.
Clearly this bike was a promotional tool because it looks damn near impossible to ride comfortably. There is way too much going on over the top of the gas tank and where is the seat padding? Ouch. And that way-to-bright paint insures that no one is ever going to hop on and take a spin.
Unhappy holidays, I guess. Perhaps one of the worst-looking custom bikes ever made, the OCC Christmas Bike is a giant kick in the jingle balls of motorcycle fans everywhere. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this creation, whatsoever. Candy cane spokes? A gift-wrapped gas tank? We'll take the bus instead, thanks.
A big bucket of throw-up on two wheels, this ode to the New England Patriots is about as awful as life can get. Only a star-spangled douche would ride around town on this obnoxious crotch jewelry. According to word on the street, the bike was sold to someone in Tampa where it immediately broke down.
This 2007 Custom Softail kind of looks like Eddie Van Halen's famous guitar. But for some reason, the paint scheme just doesn't work with the bike shape. The wheels are cool, however, and so is the bike's somewhat standard layout - but the strange lines give you an uneasy feeling. Perhaps that was the point?
Everybody has to start somewhere. Before they were going over-the-top with nearly every bike design, OCC were making more standard fare such as this 2012 model. This 2012 "Peacock" is really undone by the run-of-the-mill, '70s van airbrush work that is frankly uninspired. I'm sure it means something to somebody, but to the rest of us? Yawn.
Did Orange County Choppers sell out when they signed on the dotted line to allow their name to appear on a line of toy bikes for kids. Yes they did. I'm sure if you were a kid, you would be thrilled to get one of these OCC-branded "choppers" until you are old enough to know what embarrassment actually is.
Where to start? Most people would not think of teaming up colors such as brown and cream for a bike, but OCC made it work for this fantastic SR Series Flathead. From the trampoline seat to the detailed signage to the fine stitching - this bike looks like a comfortable menace. The unique wheel spokes really make this design pop.
This is not actually a Lincoln, just in case you were confused Matthew McConaughey. This stunning car-bike in bold burgundy is a case study in tasteful design and keeping things in perspective. Sleek, yet over-the-top in the bling department, this ride is perfect for the snobbiest of chopper aficionados. Or somebody who really likes Lincolns.
If you like to drive around town on a vintage bike with a leather bomber helmet than the OCC Orange Bobber bike is for you. This beautiful throwback seems instantly likeable and altogether more ride-able than many of their other creations. The orange paint and old-school wire rims really transport you back in time.
You simply cannot look away from the swooping lines of this dragon design. Sure, it looks somewhat awkward to drive and a complete nightmare if you wreck it (OCC will be the ones breathing fire). I guess a seat that looks like the throne from Game of Thrones was too much to ask for.
Sometimes the simplest designs work the best. This is one of those times. Surely, the "see-through" gas tank is the centerpiece, as is the blue-bronze-leather color scheme. Great thing about this bike is that if you ever get into a fight, you can break off part of where the gas tank is supposed to be and stab someone.
NEXT: 20 Things That Really Happened On Orange County Choppers