Is all that cursing and fighting for real? What's it like being a TV star for building motorcycles? Paul Teutul Sr. was nice enough to answer some questions before the 'American Choppers' come to Lincoln for a weekend v
BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:00 pm
It was 1969 when “Easy Rider” met the theaters. It took 30 years for Paul Teutul Sr. to fully act on that movie’s inspiration, but when he did … man, he hit it big. He sports a gray Fu Manchu, a gruff voice and tattoos on scary big arms. He’s kind of funny. He’s also the founder of Orange County Choppers, a motorcycle manufacturer now known throughout the world.
The 58-year-old’s fame has come about more than anything from a show called “American Chopper” on TLC. During each episode, Paul and his boys — Paul Jr. (Paulie) and Michael (Mikey) — create another motorcycle masterpiece, usually bickering throughout. The family’s on-air verbal combat only seems to make them more beloved to fans.
Among their clients: Bill Murray, Jay Leno, Billy Joel and the U.S. Air Force. You can now add to that list the Nebraska Lottery, for which the Teutuls have built three bikes. The trio will be at State Fair Park this weekend to give away one of those choppers, helping the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund charity.
Serving warning to their visit, the Journal Star reached Paul Sr. by phone on Tuesday to ask him a few questions.
LJS: Hey, Paul. It’s good to speak with you. Thanks so much for the time.
Paul: Yeah, just hurry the hell up. (Chuckling)
LJS: I can do that, I think. Let’s get to it. How far back can you trace your fascination with bikes?
Paul: You know, believe it or not, I was a late starter. My first bike was a 1971 Triumph — so I didn’t get started for a while, probably in my early 20s. Although I guess it’s been a long damn time now considering how old I am.
LJS: Was there something in culture that served as your influence to ride?
Paul: When I was in high school, it was the same time as “Easy Rider” came out, so everyone wanted to get a bike and ride around the world. Everyone was going to do that.
LJS: How difficult was it to transition from a mostly anonymous guy who owned a steel manufacturing company to a guy with a nationally recognized chopper shop and his own TV show?
Paul: It was tough. It was actually tougher than starting my steel business (Orange County Ironworks). That took 15 years to get off the ground, a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Then when the show came, it all just took off so fast.
LJS: When people see you on the street, what is the first thing they usually ask?
Paul: The most common question used to be: “Do you really treat your son like that?” But then they found out what a jerk he is and they don’t worry about it anymore. (Laughing) I probably shouldn’t have said that.
LJS: Well, obviously that’s an alluring dynamic on your show, the back-and-forths between you and Paulie. Is the relationship really as fiery as it seems on camera?
Paul: You know, whatever happens on camera, it is what it is. It was difficult at the beginning, but I think we’ve come a long way as far as the interaction part. I don’t really get into it with him too much anymore. He’s kind of adapted to more responsibility. And then there’s me probably accepting the fact that if I keep doing my controlling thing, I’m probably going to die of a heart attack.
And (Paulie’s) got the fire and brimstone, too. He knows how to fire up the situation, too. He’s got a set of buttons in his pocket he knows how to push.
LJS: Your son Mikey once called you “Martha Stewart on a motorcycle” because of your neat-freak tendencies. So your turn. Describe Mikey.
Paul: Mikey is his own person. He’s out there. (Laughing) He’s out there. How about if I just say he’s out there?
LJS: You’re on your way to Nebraska. Did you have any knowledge of this state before getting involved with this Nebraska Lottery project?
Paul: I don’t think I’ve ever been to Nebraska, which is weird cause we travel around the world. Although a week ago I was in Kentucky for the first time, too. I had been in Australia and all these places, but never Kentucky.
LJS: Can you offer hints as to what the Nebraska bikes will look like, or is that info off-limits?
Paul: That’s a secret. If I told you, I’d have to kill you.
(Kidding aside, you can track progress of the choppers at www.nelottery.com/occ).
LJS: Do you get nervous when you unveil your creations?
Paul: Sometimes. You do it so much, it gets easier, but I think you always get that little quiver.
LJS: Are you generally satisfied when a bike is finished, or do you usually find a thing here or there you wish were different?
Paul: I don’t get that feeling too often. Believe it or not, I still get astounded by the way bikes keep coming out. It’s hard to outdo the last bike you did. But these guys, especially Paulie, are really creative. Paulie’s the guy with the imagination that puts all that stuff together really well.
LJS: Were you surprised at how the show caught on?
Paul: It was freaky. We expected to do a couple shows and that would have been great for us. Anything more than one show was like a bonus. We never expected it to take off like it did, but now (the show) plays in 160 countries.
LJS: You don’t seem a guy who’s easily intimidated, but you’ve done your share of choppers for celebrities now. Has there been a star that’s intimidated you at all?
Paul: No, not at all, but I’ve had my favorites. Bill Murray. He was cool. We had a lot of fun with him. Jay Leno was cool because he’s into that kind of thing. Billy Joel, he was all right, a little fussy.
LJS: In a few episodes, you’ve talked about your fight to get sober in your younger years. It must be an incredible satisfaction to go from where you were to where you are.
Paul: Well, you know, it’s probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life. I became sober in 1985. Until I did that, I was not going anywhere.
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7438 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.