Topic: Biker Build offs and other shows like it - Do they influence your build

[ElCheapo]

With the whole sub culture of build it yourself working towards being mainstream, do these TV shows and print publications influence your builds or modifications?

I mean you see Boyd's crew go at it on TV and they use more body fill than I would have dared in highschool. And they assure viewers that it is a necessary process to properly fit the body panels. Maybe so... Or we see Guys on biker build offs start out with unassuming flat sheet metal and bang her into a hot shapely tank with seeming ease.

I can say that some of these shows have taught me a thing or two about metal working. Like working with aluminum, if you anneal it (heat it up and let it cool) before you shape it works like butter. It has also taught me that anything you can cut off you can weld back on. These shows have also showed me what shops I would work in as far as the environment goes and which ones would be a now way. For reference OCC would be a No Way. Way too much yelling and not enough work. Now I like the environment that Matt Hotch has set up. While he does most of his work solo it is a nice environment. I would have to say the absolute best shop to date was Indian Larry's shop. He was hardcore when in the groove. But he understood that not even he was beyond making a mistake. He figured it was not if you made the mistake (they would have to be few and far in between) but how you recovered from it.

It has also given a totally new arsenal of practical jokes to pull.

Shake the paint can until you can't hear the bearing anymore.

[ProTeal55]

I would say that the builder shows def. give me ideas for my own builds, and also show me things to stay away from doing. I know if I had the budget of a show like "overhaulin" , my 55 would be allot nicer than most of the stupid paint-jobbed cars they put out..And I would do that chick co-host (whatever her name is)...

[ohiocaferacer]

IAnd I would do that chick co-host (whatever her name is)...

....AMEN MY BROTHA!!!

[ProTeal55]

IAnd I would do that chick co-host (whatever her name is)...

....AMEN MY BROTHA!!!

Actually the 1st co-host chick was MUCH HOTTER, but she left for some reason. I heard she is the new host of "power block" on Speed..

[BobbyR]

OCC is not far from me and what you see is all BS. One thing is for sure the show is better than the Bikes. The bikes they sell the public break down a lot and people who bought them are #$%*in like crazy.

[my78k]

Actually certain builder type shows have given me the confidence to try out some stuff on my own...

If I were the god of all things TV I would revamp all of the lineups...treat it like bracket racing...
Guys who actually build their own would get alot more time (and money for their efforts) than the guys who just buy other people's stock and bolt it together and pretend they are actually making something.

My biggest complaint with all of these shows is that they don't go into enough detail on how to actually fabricate etc. I would absolutely love a show that went into greater detail...maybe an entire season devoted to one bike that actually went into REAL details on how to do some of the stuff. Kinda like a TV show/course on how to build...

Dennis

[ElCheapo]

OCC is not far from me and what you see is all BS. One thing is for sure the show is better than the Bikes. The bikes they sell the public break down a lot and people who bought them are #$%*in like crazy.

You see... we have no idea what goes on locally... I think they got caught up in the volume of sales rather than the quality like the smaller shops do. Hot Match does not put out half as many bikes a year, but the quality there is bar none...

Actually certain builder type shows have given me the confidence to try out some stuff on my own...

If I were the god of all things TV I would revamp all of the lineups...treat it like bracket racing...
Guys who actually build their own would get alot more time (and money for their efforts) than the guys who just buy other people's stock and bolt it together and pretend they are actually making something.

My biggest complaint with all of these shows is that they don't go into enough detail on how to actually fabricate etc. I would absolutely love a show that went into greater detail...maybe an entire season devoted to one bike that actually went into REAL details on how to do some of the stuff. Kinda like a TV show/course on how to build...

Dennis

Maybe they need to mix The Speed show and biker build off. Now that is a show I would watch and never miss an episode. And not because of the Co-Host  I too have big respect for builders. It seems the whole chopper thing has been lost. Chopping was taking something that was not and modifying it to be so much more. Not that the chopper from the ground up is not cool. But I think a chopped out Triumph is so much cooler.

[6pkrunner]

For "American Chopper" or "American Hot rod" the poorly scripted shows to show the conflict and tenseness between people is so cheesy, I wouldn't build anything remotely similar for fears of guilt by asscoiation.
I used to appreciate Boyd's work years before the show started. Now I consider him to be marginally better than pond scum. While he may gain income from the show, he is oblivious to how he and his workers are showing themselves on national spotlight.
"Overhualin" only has the "oh no we're behind the deadline" theme running through it and at least features more of the build. Courtney Hansen left the show and is hosting the Powerblock. Adrienne Janic (AJ) is her replacement.

[ProTeal55]

Courtney Hansen left the show and is hosting the Powerblock.

[StevieMac]

I've learned a few things from Biker Build Off.  Kind of different ways to approach designing and fitting custom pieces rather than the actual metal work aspect itself.  I can't really think of an example at the moment of course but I'm a better builder for watching.  Can't say the same about OCC.....

[GroovieGhoulie]

The bike build show I enoy is that "Build or Bust".  Not so much for the bikes built, since they're not my cup of tea, but the assembly and fabrication tips I learn.  I also like seeing how people do under pressure, how people's work ethic (or lack thereof) can help or hurt them, etc.

[Rushoid]

The only influence I've gotten from these shows is that I know what I DON"T want to do. I think these cars & bikes are grossly overdone. I like old cars. I like the way they look from the factory - with some minor changes (paint job, wheels, etc.). I hate when they take an old Thunderbird and rework it so it looks like a new Corvette. If someone ever kidnapped my car and "Foosed" it, they would be in a world of hurt. If you're going to do that crap, do it to a Chevette or a Yugo - not a classic! I like the cafe racers on this site because they're still the same bike, just with a different seat, etc. You could pretty much restore one to factory by swapping the parts back out. I haven't seen one yet that had the frame torched and bent into a dollar sign and had 18 video screens on it.

IMO, if you're going to modify a vehicle, improve the performance, handling, general functionality of it. Don't just lower it so it runs aground on speed bumps, or put a wing on it so you take out stop lights, or put the bars so high/ pegs so far forward/seat so far down that you need outriggers to make a turn.

<<< Stepping off soap box... 

[StevieMac]

I'm totally with you Rushoid.  After just seeing a few episodes I won't watch that Overhaulin show anymore.  IMO they ruin old cars.  Repairing the body and motor are fine but the rest of what they do to those cars just turns my stomach.

[crazypj]

These shows dont influence me in the slightest. I've had my own idea's as to what I want/need/can afford and still do my own thing. I've been building 'streetfighter'/ flat track style bikes for about 35yrs, before they even had a name for it. (probably Triumph desert racers/Paris -Dakar but wiyth small gas tanks were  closest)
Never set any trends but never followed any either. (although I have 'influenced a couple of people to build supermotoards, several years before the factory offerings were out)
$5,000 paint doesnt make a good bike or car, but it 'appeals' to the know nothing masses who are just spectators in life (probably why NASCAR is so popular)
PJ

[BobbyR]

At one time a show called This Old House started showing people (roughly) how home improvements are done. When they surveyed the audience they found about 15% of the viewers actually had done, or expected to actually attempt a project. The same can be said of any of these "Bike" shows and also some of the shows on Speed Vision where they put a Turbo on a car in 20 minutes, and after each commercial, they are wiping off their clean hands. The majority of the people that watch OCC don't ride. What they have done is bring the Bike some respectability, so that at a party I can say I ride and they don't watch to see if I  walk off with the Silverware.

[dusterdude]

yea bobby,they done took all the fun out of being a biker.that freakin sucks.

[DME]

yea bobby,they done took all the fun out of being a biker.that freakin sucks.

 

[Steve F]

When I watch the OCC guys doing their thing, I now know better (if I could afford one) which bike NOT to buy.  Like for instance, when they were making a bearing spacer for inside of the rear wheel. They grab a hunk of tubing, measure it with a tape measure and hack it off in the band saw. Then they belt sand off the burs and put it together.  Then they wonder why the wheel doesn't turn when they tighten down the axle nut.  Or like when things don't fit, they break out the hammers. Like they old saying "....if it don't fit get a bigger hammer".  HACKS!

[BobbyR]

yea bobby,they done took all the fun out of being a biker.that freakin sucks.

You said it Dust. No more frightened looks when you pull next to them at a light. Respectability can be a burden.

[angeldeville]

These shows have inspired me to open a catalouge, and order a bunch of crap and bolt it on my bike, does anyone make billet cases for a SOHC?

[ohiocaferacer]

These shows have inspired me to open a catalouge, and order a bunch of crap and bolt it on my bike, does anyone make billet cases for a SOHC?

 

[Jonesy]

I guess this brings up a beef I posted about before with these bike restoration shows.  They always seem to follow the pattern of get an old Harley (which is fine, but they don't seem to realize that there were other companies that made motorcycles decades ago), strip everything off the frame, repaint the frame, buy all the other parts new and bolt it back together. That's fine if you have a fat enough wallet and all the parts are available.

I liked one show where they did an old Vespa (not my cup of tea, but still...) and the host showed how to hammer out dents, recover a seat, kitchen powder coat the rims, etc. These are learnings you could apply to any project.

When I watch the OCC guys doing their thing, I now know better (if I could afford one) which bike NOT to buy. Like for instance, when they were making a bearing spacer for inside of the rear wheel. They grab a hunk of tubing, measure it with a tape measure and hack it off in the band saw. Then they belt sand off the burs and put it together. Then they wonder why the wheel doesn't turn when they tighten down the axle nut. Or like when things don't fit, they break out the hammers. Like they old saying "....if it don't fit get a bigger hammer". HACKS!

I love it when they break out the stepped drill bits.. I had one as a mechanic and I pitched it after the first time I used it- they're CRAP!

[my78k]

I guess in fact we are ALL influenced by these shows...even if it shows us what we do not want to ever build.

I'm not sure what everyone's beef is with OCC etc. Sure their bikes are totally unrideable and EXTREMELY overpriced but if you take it for what it is (entertainment and NOT education) it's not all that bad. My biggest beef is strictly jealousy! How these guys made the millions they are currently making is beyond me but hey...they were lucky enough to get seen by the right person at the right time on the upswing of the chopper movement...I personally don't really mind the show. Hell I can certain think of worse ways to waste an hour of my life!

Dennis

[oldbiker]

I have learnt something from watching these shows, but I am still waiting for them to build a motorcycle instead of Frankensteins bike.

[crp_iii]

I enjoy the shows for the fab aspects.  I liked OCC far better when they actuall built stuff, now it seems to be mostly stuff cut out of the water jet.  How the hell can you copy some of that stuff with a cut off wheel and a magic marker?  Too many eye candy bikes that are not practically rideable.  Watch Sr. crane his neck trying to see over his sky high risers, comfortable for 2 or 3 hours on the twisties right?  Who wants to take an OCC bike to the Dragons Tail? Form needs to match function 

This being said it was watching American Chopper that inspired me to get the dead CB100 my college roommate abandoned to my possession out of my father's garage (where it sat for 10 years) and start tinkering with it.  A peanut butter jar, carb cleaner, new plug, new battery, and 1000 kicks later it turned over.  I think it was kick 999 that loosened the 12V signal stat enough that it was not connected. Vroom. Plug back in and it dies.  12V electronic part 6V system hmm.  I was hooked, breathing nw life into an old engine felt damn good.  Bought a helmet, took a MSF course, and bought more old motorcycles.

I like the biker build-offs the best.  You see a few small builders in their garage making things to fit their style.  I am a visual learner If it wasn't for shows like these I would not have purchased a welder and started to shape metal.