PAUL TEUTUL SR

AMERICAN CHOPPER’S Paul Teutul, Sr. Keeps the Pedal to the Metal

BY ADAM KLUGER

Paul, how are you and your family handling the pandemic?

It has been pretty difficult for all of us. I think the hardest thing is I did not get to see my grandkids for a few months. I just saw them for the first time this week and it was great!

Are you working on any cool new bikes?

We just completed a really cool bobber style for a law firm in Arkansas. We did a killer chopper for ABC building supply. The ABC bike will be airing on August 3rd, at 9 pm, on the Discovery channel. You don’t want to miss this one.

Do you find yourself riding more during the pandemic?

We did get to ride a lot more. Me and Joan ride every chance we get. It is still never enough for me.

How are you staying in shape? I work out 4 days a week. I don’t go heavy like I used to, I do lighter weight and more reps. I think it is all about consistency. As for diet, I struggle every day to keep weight on. I drink “weight gain” and eat twice what most people would ever eat. It makes Joan crazy that I can eat so much and never gain weight. I am really fortunate, I just got my blood work back and it

on the upcoming American Chopper episode was close to perfect.

Big fans of American Chopper-- what kind of feedback do you get from fans on why they love the show?

We really have great fans all over the world. Some people are all about bikes and how they are built, others can relate to the family dynamics. I think that I have really always been a blue-collar guy that wound up on a television show and for better or worse I was just myself. The number one comment we get at Orange County Choppers is how much people identify with the everyday struggles that come with being in business, and how hard it can be to work with family.

American Chopper is fascinating on a number of levels-- the artistic process, the camaraderie, the father-son family dynamic, the small business aspect, client and fan interaction...what are some of the biggest takeaways for you on why the show has such resonance for so many people?

The art and work that goes into every bike is pretty cool to watch whether you are a rider or not. Orange County Choppers has been fortunate enough to have some of the greatest talent in the world working here. I also think it was because it was really just everyday life. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a scripted guy or an actor. Even if I was asked to do a script I could never remember the lines.

A lot is made about the relationship between you and your sons- there really has never been a reality show that has gone into these types of father-son relationships so honestly... what have you learned about your sons and yourself over the course of American Chopper? If your sons were to read this article in the future- what would you want them each to know?

I think that I would have the same rules for everyone in the company. I think that if you want to be successful in a business the rules have to apply to all. We are all guilty of wanting more for our kids, but some times more is not better. I would want my kids to know I did the best I could to be a power of example. I worked 6 sometimes 7 days a week because I loved them and did not want them to ever have to live the way I did growing up.

Any regrets in opening up your life to the public in this way?

No I am ok with it. I think that by opening up my life, I was able to help others. I hope they could learn from my mistakes

You and Joannie are very involved in pet charities...why is this such a passion?

Joannie and I have been animal lovers back to our first memories. My childhood was pretty horrific and I am not sure I would have made it without my dog. My love of animals was always there, but through Joannie, I became aware of how much all animals needed our voice. I did not know that there were so many amazing animals waiting to be rescued. I did not know what really goes on every day with abuse and neglect of so many animals. We work every day to help stop this abuse and rescue as many lives as we can. We are both on the board of a great Shelter called the Hudson Valley SPCA in New Windsor NY

Looking back over the years-- you have created some very memorable bikes-- which ones stand out in your mind the most?

That is a tough question because they all had meaning. I loved building the Make A Wish bike, and having an opportunity to meet so many of these amazing kids. They always stole my heart. They had so much going on and were the most positive and full of smiles. They made my day more than I could ever make theirs. The 9/11 Firemans bike was also very meaningful. Like a lot of people, I felt like we needed to do something to show our appreciation for the brave men and women of the FDNY and to so many who lost their lives that day. A bike seemed like a small token but it was the only way I knew how to show how much they meant to all of us. Our military bikes have also been at the top of my list as I never forget that our freedom is not free. We built a bike for every branch of the military as well as the POW bike, Fallen Heros, and Commanche bike. I could go on about the great opportunities I was given to work with heroes and heads of companies, I am truly blessed.

What’s the most challenging part of putting a bike together? What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

For me, the most challenging part is the wiring. The most rewarding part is the first ride.

What don’t fans know about you that might surprise them?

Most people don’t know I served in the Merchant Marines delivering ammunition in Vietnam. I am a pescatarian. I have not eaten meat or chicken in over 7 years. My favorite musicians are: Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Junior Walker, Gladys Knight, Bob Seeger and Neil Young. There are more but those are my top pics. No surprise my favorite movies are action movies and documentaries.

What would you like to accomplish in the future?

I think for me and the team at OCC we strive to make every day and every build better than the last. Personally we want to continue to expand the animal shelter and raise more awareness for the animals.

What can fans of American Chopper expect in the future?

I think they will see more of a window into where I am in life today. I may be 71 but I am not slowing down anytime soon. I have just learned to make better choices on how I want to spend the rest of my life.

orangecountychoppers.com

Paul Teutul, Sr. & Joan Kay

Discussing “The Last Ride”

BY ADAM KLUGER

The ABC Bike build was promoted as The Last Ride... and it certainly did not disappoint --what has the reaction been to the episode? It was definitely not the last ride for me or OCC. We are all the ride till you die kind, not just with motorcycles but everything in life. No matter how many times you get knocked down you have to pick yourself back up, get steady on your feet, and put one foot in front of the other. How sentimental/emotional was it to return to the place

where OCC began before it closed down? It was very sentimental for me. I had my steel shop there for so many years. I did the bike building there as a passion, and then I started Orange County Choppers. A lot of great memories in both.

While the episode started off with the best of intentions--it quickly got derailed over “creative differences” and client protocol--between Jr. & Sr., only for Mikey to eventually “save the day” by suggesting a non-motorcycle activity (cooking together) to help father and son to reconnect.

We truly started this episode off with the best of intentions. I was looking forward to it. I was pretty blown away that after all these years my son tried to make a fool out of me in front of my client. I started out angry but to be honest I was really hurt. Not something I say often. It was not

creative differences, as we had all spoke before doing the show that this was a client we already had a rendering on etc. Paulie said he didn’t care I could build any bike I wanted. That all changes quickly when the cameras started rolling. We decided to invite him to that first meeting because we thought it would be a good way to bring everyone together. It was like walking into a place that you think are your friends and getting sucker punched. I had to get past that and move on and make sure my client got everything we promised and more. It set the tone for the rest. I still really can’t make sense of it. I learned another hard lesson there. Mikey always brings some positive energy and fun wherever he goes. We share a lot of laughs even in the toughest of times.

Paul, what was your take on the episode and on the final look of the ABC bike?

My take on the episode was that after hundreds of hours of filming they wanted drama and needed to paint a picture of a bad guy, so they used whatever fit the agenda. (My opinion) I know in the past I gave them plenty of ammo, but I feel this was pretty one-sided. Like I said before I went in I felt excited about trying this one last time, and It felt like a setup. No one can hurt you deeper than family. That I know for sure Also, let’s give a shout out to Mikey as well- who through the years has been cast in the playful role of comic relief but almost always provides some helpful common sense wisdom when it comes to making sense of any “family drama.” Mikey is a blessing for sure. No matter how mad I get, one word from him and I am cracking up. Mikey is not only funny, he is really smart. When he puts his mind on something he just goes with it. He is creative for sure. He produces some short films and a bunch of other cool stuff. Was that the “last ride”-- or will future collaborations still be in the offing-- i.e. “never say never”

Never the last ride for me or OCC. In the first quarter of 2021 there will be some big things happening for Orange County Choppers. Stay tuned

Joan, a couple of questions for the you-how special was it to be asked to ride the ABC bike into the event? Joan: I was honored to ride a bike that represented everything you want in a company. ABC is more than just a huge brand, they are a company that stands behind their employees, helps their employees excel. Diane Hendricks is the Cofounder and Chair of ABC supply which is a billion-dollar company, yet she stops to say hello to each passing staff member. She rebuilds communities by buying and renovating abandoned properties that she knows will bring back tourism and improve the neighborhood. I was so proud that OCC was able to build a bike that showed strength, character, and diversity.

Our publisher Chase, is a pretty hands-on leader like Paul--how did the two get along? Any bike rides in the future for Chase and Paul?

Joan: They get along great. Both have that drive and tenacity to get the job done. I see a lot of riding in the future.

Any future projects you want to share? We have three very exciting ones now. A very cool one with a company called CrowVote, Captain America, and the big one end of March you will have to wait and see.