Q: Were you always into motorcycles? What about
cars?
A: I have been into and riding motorcycles since I was about
6 years old; they've always fascinated me. I get a big thrill
out of riding a bike that I have never ridden.
I also have a love for cars. Stock is never
good enough for me; mods are always good.
Q: Did you learn to build stuff yourself, or
did you take classes? Do you work on cars or bikes outside your
job?
A: I learned to fix motorcycles and cars by taking them apart
and breaking them. I could never afford to get them fixed as
a kid, so I would always pull them apart and attempt to fix
them even if I didn't know what I was doing.
I also attended the American Motorcycle Institute
(AMI) in Daytona Beach; I graduated in 2001.
Generally, I only work on my own bikes outside
of OCC — usually my dirt bikes and quad.
Q: What was your first "real" job?
Any other jobs before OCC?
A: I had several jobs before OCC, including positions at two
motorcycle dealerships, where I gained a lot of experience.
The other jobs I've had are not worth mentioning.
Q: When did you start working at OCC? How did
you find out about them?
A: I started working at OCC in September 2002, just after Discovery
shot the pilot show with the Jet Bike.
As for how I came to work for them, Nick, who
had been working there for a couple of months, called me up
and asked me if I wanted to work there. We had been roommates
in Florida and friends for a while.
Q: What exactly do you do there? Has your role
changed at all since you started? What about since the show
started filming?
A: I do all of the final assembly and service on all of the
customer bikes. I occasionally help Paul Jr. and Vinnie with
the assembly on the theme bikes.
My job title has pretty much been the same
since I have been there, and the filming hasn't changed things
much.
Q: About how many bikes do you work on a year?
A: Nick and I built about 150 bikes last year. Each one is assembled
and test ridden by us. We also perform all of the service needed
on the bikes.
Q: What's your favorite thing about working
at OCC? Your least favorite?
A: My favorite thing about working at OCC is the test riding
for sure. There is nothing better than getting to ride five
or six times a week for about 40 miles a time.
I don't really have a least favorite thing;
everyone who works at OCC is great, and we get along well.
Q: How often do you get to work on the theme
bikes? Do you have a favorite so far?
A: I work on the theme bikes whenever time is a main concern.
Paul Jr. will ask me to come and help out to get the bike done
quicker.
My favorite bike is probably the Black Widow.
Q: Do you ride yourself? If so, what do you
ride?
A: I ride almost every day — customer bikes.
I still like Japanese bikes; I had one stolen
from me last summer. But I have two dirt bikes now, and one
quad that I ride all of the time.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore, the Asbury Park
area. I live in New York now, but I'm still missin' Jersey.
Q: Any plans for the future?
A: My plans for the future are to ride bikes, ride bikes and
of course ... ride bikes.
Content Provided by: Discovery
Channel :: American Chopper
