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Orange County Choppers (OCC) is a world-renowned custom motorcycle manufacturer founded by Paul Teutul Sr. in 1999. The company was the focus of the hit reality TV series 'American Chopper', which aired from 2002 to 2012, and featured the building of bespoke themed motorcycles for high-profile clients. The success of the show brought fame to OCC, but the company also experienced financial difficulties and personal rifts, particularly between Teutul Sr. and his son, Paul Jr., who was a minority owner and chief designer. OCC faced challenges during the Great Recession and, after several years of obscurity, relocated its headquarters to Florida in 2021 with financial backing from businessman Keith Overton. The new location, named OCC Road House & Museum, includes a bike-building shop, museum, restaurant, and concert pavilion.

Paul Teutul Sr. founded Orange County Choppers (OCC) in 1999

Teutul Sr.'s custom-built bikes quickly gained popularity, featuring on magazine covers and at major motorcycle events. OCC's debut bike, "True Blue", was unveiled at the 1999 Daytona Biketoberfest. The company's unique designs and Teutul Sr.'s expertise in television production led to the success of the reality TV show "American Chopper", which first aired in 2002. The show showcased the relationships between Teutul Sr. and his sons, Paul Jr. and Mikey, as well as their work on custom motorcycles. The series initially aired on the Discovery Channel and later moved to TLC in 2007.

Due to the show's popularity, OCC built a new $12 million, 61,000-square-foot custom facility in Newburgh, New York, in 2003. The company's success also led to various collaborations and commissions, such as the $150,000 "Air Force Bike" for the United States Air Force.

In 2010, the frequent disagreements between Teutul Sr. and Paul Jr. led to the creation of the short-lived series "Senior vs. Junior". Teutul Sr. returned to television in 2013 with "Orange County Choppers" on CMT, which was unfortunately cancelled after eight episodes. In 2017, Teutul Sr. faced legal troubles when his business partner, Thomas Derbyshire, sued him for allegedly using investments for personal purposes. As a result, Teutul Sr. filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and relocated OCC to Florida, opening the OCC Roadhouse and Museum in Clearwater.

OCC was featured on the reality TV show 'American Chopper'

Orange County Choppers (OCC) was featured on the reality TV show American Chopper, which first aired in September 2002 on the Discovery Channel. The show centred on the company's founder, Paul Teutul Sr., and his son, Paul Teutul Jr., who manufactured custom chopper-style motorcycles. The contrasting work and creative styles of the father-and-son team, and their resulting verbal disagreements, were a hallmark of the series until 2008 when an explosive argument led to Paul Jr.'s termination. Following his departure, Paul Jr. started a competing chopper company, Paul Jr. Designs.

American Chopper showcased OCC's custom theme bikes, including The Fire Bike, which commemorated the New York firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. The popularity of the show led to various commissions, including a $150,000 "Air Force Bike" for the United States Air Force. The motorcycle was ten feet long and modelled after the F-22 Raptor, complete with Air Force symbol rims and jet-shaped rear-view mirrors.

The success of American Chopper also allowed OCC to build a new $12 million, 61,000-square-foot custom facility in Newburgh, New York, in 2003. The company's original location was in Montgomery, New York, where they debuted their first bike, "True Blue", at the 1999 Daytona Biketoberfest.

In 2007, American Chopper moved to the TLC network, a sister channel of Discovery. The show was cancelled by TLC in 2010, but it was announced that the Teutuls would return in a new series, American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior, which premiered on TLC in August 2010. This spin-off series chronicled the rivalry between OCC and Paul Jr. Designs.

In December 2010, Senior vs. Junior was moved back to the Discovery Channel. The show ended in 2012, but a revival of American Chopper aired on the Discovery Channel in the spring of 2018.

The company built custom bikes for celebrities and high-profile businesses

Orange County Choppers (OCC) is a world-famous custom motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1999 by Paul Teutul Sr. The company is based in Newburgh, Orange County, New York, and was previously located in Montgomery, New York, and Rock Tavern, New York. OCC has gained significant popularity through its association with the reality TV show "American Chopper," which first aired in 2002. The show showcased the company's unique custom-built bikes, including themed bikes and customer bikes.

Over the years, OCC has built custom bikes for celebrities and high-profile businesses, leveraging its fame from "American Chopper." One notable example is the "Air Force Bike," commissioned by the United States Air Force. This $150,000 motorcycle is ten feet long and modelled after the F-22 Raptor, featuring Air Force symbol rims, a riveted gas tank, Raptor exhausts, and jet-shaped rear-view mirrors. The Air Force utilised this bike as a public outreach tool.

Another celebrity-owned custom OCC bike is the "I, Robot" bike, inspired by the film of the same name. Will Smith, the star of the movie, shared his vision for the bike's design during his visit to OCC. The final product was a sleek, futuristic, and robotic-looking bike unveiled at the "I, Robot" premiere on the red carpet.

OCC has also built bikes for famous athletes and sports teams. For instance, they created a bike honouring Lance Armstrong, a seven-time winner of the Tour de France, and his foundation, Livestrong. The bike incorporated a fuel tank modelled after Lance's riding helmet and a yellow and black paint scheme, reflecting the colours of the Livestrong Foundation.

Additionally, OCC has worked with the New York Yankees, creating a bike for the team. Other notable sports-related clients include NASCAR, the Kansas City Royals, and the Miami Heat.

The company's reputation for designing and engineering unique choppers has attracted a diverse range of celebrity and high-profile clients, solidifying OCC's place in the custom motorcycle industry.

OCC moved from New York to Florida in 2020

In 2020, Orange County Choppers (OCC) made the decision to relocate from New York to Florida, marking a significant change for the renowned motorcycle company. Founded in 1999 by Paul Teutul Sr., OCC had established itself as a prominent custom motorcycle manufacturer and lifestyle brand, with its original workshop based in Orange County, New York. The company gained widespread recognition through its appearance on the reality TV show "American Chopper," which showcased the team's expertise in building custom motorbikes.

However, in late 2020, Paul Teutul Sr. announced plans to close the Newburgh location and construct a new facility in Pinellas Park, Florida, marking a new chapter for the business. The decision to move was influenced by several factors. Firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted OCC's operations, with 75% of their retail business being international, and the shutdown of New York further exacerbated the challenges. Florida, on the other hand, remained open, presenting an opportunity for the company to continue its operations.

Additionally, the move to Florida offered several strategic advantages. The warmer climate in Florida provided a longer riding season for motorcycles, allowing OCC to cater to a larger customer base. The new location in St. Petersburg, on the western coast of Florida, also presented an opportunity to collaborate with neighbouring businesses. The OCC Road House & Museum was strategically built adjoining Bert's Barracuda Harley-Davidson, creating a motorcycle-focused destination.

The new facility, named the OCC Road House & Museum, encompasses a bike-building shop, a retail section, a museum, a restaurant, a billiard hall, and a concert pavilion. This expansion into a "country club" for motorcycles reflected the company's evolution beyond just being a custom motorcycle shop. The larger space and diverse amenities transformed the location into a mecca for motorcyclists, attracting enthusiasts from all over America.

The move to Florida also brought a sense of freedom and a connection to a dedicated fan base. Florida's favourable climate allows riders to take to the roads for about nine months of the year, and the state hosts numerous motorcycle events throughout the year. This provided OCC with new opportunities to engage with their passionate followers and cultivate a vibrant motorcycle culture.

The relocation of OCC from New York to Florida signalled a fresh start and a strategic shift for the company. By embracing new partnerships, expanding their offerings, and tapping into a year-round riding season, OCC solidified its position as a leading lifestyle brand in the motorcycle industry.

Paul Teutul Jr. left OCC to start his own company, Paul Jr. Designs (PJD)

Paul Teutul Jr. was the minority owner, chief designer, and fabricator at Orange County Choppers (OCC). His father, Paul Teutul Sr., was the founder and CEO. OCC was founded in 1999 and became the centre of the hit TV reality series "American Chopper", which aired from 2002 to 2012. The show featured the Teutuls and their team building custom motorcycles for high-profile clients.

However, Paul Jr. and Sr.'s relationship was strained, and their regular disagreements became a routine occurrence on the show. This tension eventually led to Paul Jr. being fired in 2008 for violating his contract. Although he returned as a consultant, he left OCC permanently in April 2009 to start his own company, Paul Jr. Designs (PJD), taking some of OCC's top fabricators with him. This effectively ended the original run of "American Chopper", as the show's contract stipulated that both Paul Jr. and Sr. must appear.

The rivalry between OCC and PJD was later highlighted in a spin-off series, "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior", which ran for four seasons from 2010 to 2012. The show detailed the split between father and son and the competition between the two companies, with Paul Jr. even opening the PJD shop across the street from his brother's business, Orange County Ironworks.

In 2018, "American Chopper" was revived for two more seasons, featuring both OCC and PJD. The two shops collaborated on a project for the first time since the split, with Paul Jr. asking his father to restore a New York Yankees bike they had originally built in 2005.

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