[ Dubspeed Driven Feature Article ] - A Look Inside West Coast Choppers - Houston-Imports.com

zerinVR6 · 07-12-2005, 02:30 PM

A Look Inside...West Coast Choppers
By Donald W. Bond
Dubspeed Media Staff Writer

Additional WCC Photos can be viewed here: http://www.dubspeedracing.com/photo...ery.php?cat=806

When we hear the name, Jesse James, my generation thinks of Outlaws of the Old West. Robbing stagecoaches on horseback and shooting the Sheriff, as they rode off into the sunset. That is no longer the case. To hear the name Jesse James, we envision the entrepreneur of West Coast Choppers. And the only horses you will hear is his one-of-a-kind choppers rolling out the backdoor at WCC.

Jesse started customizing bikes in junior high. In 1980, he modified a friend's bicycle and then turned around and sold it…for a very nice profit. Remember, dreams and ideas start small. But Jesse James never would have thought it would get so big. So big infact, not only does he and his 50-man crew build bikes for the likes of Kid Rock and Shaq, but his empire has diversified, including wheels for cars and trucks, motorcycle parts and accessories, and a very successful clothing line. And to push the envelope a little further, a movie production company; Pay Up Sucker Productions. With all this, his true passion is working on a customer’s bike. With all this under his belt, his custom choppers are more than customs. They are works of art. Only 200 have been built since the birth of WCC.

Jesse’s original shop is located in the industrial area of Long Beach, just off of West Anaheim Street. You cannot miss it with its white Maltese cross rising up out of the roof, wrapped in red neon. Little has changed since his shop first appeared on the Discovery Channel. The two story showroom, choppers lined up awaiting a new owner or customer bikes keeping company with its brethren. His famous seafoam green and purple metal flake ’57 Chevy Nomad sits inside slammed to the ground with the asking price of $50,000. Just imagine how much cheaper it would be without the WCC logo on the roof.

Just completed is the MAC Tools chopper, with its purple metallic and traditional flames. And for the die hard car enthusiast, it sports Brembo brakes.

His two pets sharks, lounge languidly in the tank from the downstairs gift shop. His 1940 Miller Indy car body sits for sale and is ready to be restored to all its previous glory. Someday...

To view the line up of choppers displayed proudly in the showroom, visit his web site. (www.westcoastchoppers.com) My favorite...well, it would have to be “Chongo Blanco”. This El Diablo looks like it was dragged out of a hay field…rusty…all of it. The tank, frame, excluding the fully chromed engine and tan stitched saddle. Rust never looked to good. I could go on, but why bother. The photos speak for themselves.

As my boys and I were leaving WCC, walking back to the truck, our eyes feasted on a delicious morsel of raw sophisticated machinery…a black Porsche Carrera GT with of all things, gold anodized wheels…Jesse’s? Maybe. But one of his ‘crew’ was driving it into the back of the new 250,000 square foot shop across the street of the original WCC.

The industrial building, with its red brick and mortar standing with honor after years of use, now has been reborn…Jesse James style. If you are an enthusiast of architecture, then you’ll love the heavy black spider-web gates and the stainless steel Maltese cross that adorns the property. The front fascia of the building as been painted in a traditional California seafoam green and white with full stainless doors and 3-D crosses. No signs. No neon. If you are familiar with WCC and Jesse James, then you know whose inside. It’s that simple.

No admission. No tours. Just show up. Go inside and look around. Look past the choppers & the cool cars. Imagine someone telling a seventh grader it can’t be done. Then look at the detail on the coffin-style air cleaner and the curves of the exhaust.

Guess what? It can be done. By hand.

Additional WCC Photos can be viewed here: http://www.dubspeedracing.com/photo...ery.php?cat=806

ormand · 07-12-2005, 06:31 PM

jatcesar · 07-12-2005, 06:34 PM

1990hatch · 07-12-2005, 06:35 PM

hes not as cool as he used to be....sell out to mainstream television

SecretAgent · 07-13-2005, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990hatch

hes not as cool as he used to be....sell out to mainstream television

how is he selling out? his bikes aren't any less than what they were when he started...in fact, they're far superior. he's innovated and rejuvinated the chopper industry. if anything, he's the only one that hasn't sold out. yes, he's marketed himself extremely well with the discovery channel, wal-mart, huffy, and etc, but his bikes are just as hardcore as they've ever been. and when it comes down to it, that's all that matters.

mofoD · 07-13-2005, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990hatch

hes not as cool as he used to be....sell out to mainstream television

mann dude we all thoought it was reeal gay when he did autozone commercials but the dude needs moneyy man. divorce can be quite expensive when bitches want tons o money yah hear?

Broaden · 07-15-2005, 04:59 AM

That guy pisses me off.

Mook · 07-15-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndn foo

mann dude we all thoought it was reeal gay when he did autozone commercials but the dude needs moneyy man. divorce can be quite expensive when bitches want tons o money yah hear?

yea, in the autozone commercial, you could tell he didnt want to do it, but needed the money.
sweet Carrera GT

**Los** · 07-15-2005, 10:36 AM

All of yall need to shut up, if someone told you they would pay you $ X amount of dollars just to say some lines and be in a commercial, yall know yall would do it. He is a businessman.

If trying to make as much money as possible, still producing a kick arse product, selling out, yall got a lot to learn...

ormand · 07-16-2005, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los

All of yall need to shut up, if someone told you they would pay you $ X amount of dollars just to say some lines and be in a commercial, yall know yall would do it. He is a businessman.

If trying to make as much money as possible, still producing a kick arse product, selling out, yall got a lot to learn...

Atleast he isn't sucking cock like that Craig Leiberman fgt. God...how I hate that cocksucker

Anyway, I enjoy watching his show and appreciate his contributions to the world. For the most part, he has good taste and is a role model for many youths interested in automotive/craftsmanship

RShih · 07-16-2005, 11:43 AM

07-12-2005, 02:30 PM	#1
zerinVR6 Automotive News Guy Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 2,153 Car: '05.5 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro and Various Press Cars iTrader: (0)	[ Dubspeed Driven Feature Article ] - A Look Inside West Coast Choppers A Look Inside...West Coast Choppers By Donald W. Bond Dubspeed Media Staff Writer Additional WCC Photos can be viewed here: http://www.dubspeedracing.com/photo...ery.php?cat=806 When we hear the name, Jesse James, my generation thinks of Outlaws of the Old West. Robbing stagecoaches on horseback and shooting the Sheriff, as they rode off into the sunset. That is no longer the case. To hear the name Jesse James, we envision the entrepreneur of West Coast Choppers. And the only horses you will hear is his one-of-a-kind choppers rolling out the backdoor at WCC. Jesse started customizing bikes in junior high. In 1980, he modified a friend's bicycle and then turned around and sold it…for a very nice profit. Remember, dreams and ideas start small. But Jesse James never would have thought it would get so big. So big infact, not only does he and his 50-man crew build bikes for the likes of Kid Rock and Shaq, but his empire has diversified, including wheels for cars and trucks, motorcycle parts and accessories, and a very successful clothing line. And to push the envelope a little further, a movie production company; Pay Up Sucker Productions. With all this, his true passion is working on a customer’s bike. With all this under his belt, his custom choppers are more than customs. They are works of art. Only 200 have been built since the birth of WCC. Jesse’s original shop is located in the industrial area of Long Beach, just off of West Anaheim Street. You cannot miss it with its white Maltese cross rising up out of the roof, wrapped in red neon. Little has changed since his shop first appeared on the Discovery Channel. The two story showroom, choppers lined up awaiting a new owner or customer bikes keeping company with its brethren. His famous seafoam green and purple metal flake ’57 Chevy Nomad sits inside slammed to the ground with the asking price of $50,000. Just imagine how much cheaper it would be without the WCC logo on the roof. Just completed is the MAC Tools chopper, with its purple metallic and traditional flames. And for the die hard car enthusiast, it sports Brembo brakes. His two pets sharks, lounge languidly in the tank from the downstairs gift shop. His 1940 Miller Indy car body sits for sale and is ready to be restored to all its previous glory. Someday... To view the line up of choppers displayed proudly in the showroom, visit his web site. (www.westcoastchoppers.com) My favorite...well, it would have to be “Chongo Blanco”. This El Diablo looks like it was dragged out of a hay field…rusty…all of it. The tank, frame, excluding the fully chromed engine and tan stitched saddle. Rust never looked to good. I could go on, but why bother. The photos speak for themselves. As my boys and I were leaving WCC, walking back to the truck, our eyes feasted on a delicious morsel of raw sophisticated machinery…a black Porsche Carrera GT with of all things, gold anodized wheels…Jesse’s? Maybe. But one of his ‘crew’ was driving it into the back of the new 250,000 square foot shop across the street of the original WCC. The industrial building, with its red brick and mortar standing with honor after years of use, now has been reborn…Jesse James style. If you are an enthusiast of architecture, then you’ll love the heavy black spider-web gates and the stainless steel Maltese cross that adorns the property. The front fascia of the building as been painted in a traditional California seafoam green and white with full stainless doors and 3-D crosses. No signs. No neon. If you are familiar with WCC and Jesse James, then you know whose inside. It’s that simple. No admission. No tours. Just show up. Go inside and look around. Look past the choppers & the cool cars. Imagine someone telling a seventh grader it can’t be done. Then look at the detail on the coffin-style air cleaner and the curves of the exhaust. Guess what? It can be done. By hand. Additional WCC Photos can be viewed here: http://www.dubspeedracing.com/photo...ery.php?cat=806 Last edited by zerinVR6 : 07-15-2005 at 08:41 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

07-12-2005, 06:31 PM	#2
ormand Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 11,700 Car: Ormobile iTrader: (1)

07-12-2005, 06:34 PM	#3
jatcesar becoming a regular here! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: se houston Posts: 2,355 Car: 92se-r,71 sr20det 510 iTrader: (4)

07-12-2005, 06:35 PM	#4
1990hatch °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: TX Posts: 14,775 Car: GT35R S13/ EK DD iTrader: (1)	hes not as cool as he used to be....sell out to mainstream television

07-15-2005, 04:59 AM	#7
Broaden Team Entropy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Katy Posts: 555 Car: 187whp iTrader: (0)	That guy pisses me off.

07-15-2005, 10:36 AM	#9
Los H-I.com Marketing Manager Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 86,063 Car: 2005 350Z, 1994 Supra T iTrader: (30) Blog Entries: 1	All of yall need to shut up, if someone told you they would pay you $ X amount of dollars just to say some lines and be in a commercial, yall know yall would do it. He is a businessman. If trying to make as much money as possible, still producing a kick arse product, selling out, yall got a lot to learn...

07-16-2005, 11:43 AM	#11
RShih Forum addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,112 Car: iTrader: (4)