‘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
