Once again, Paul Jr. was the build-off victor, taking American Chopper: The Revenge last night, and Gas Monkey Garage followed in second place; but what about third and fourth, and the percentages?
As predicted, Paul Jr. won the second American Chopper: Live Build-Off. Taking the live show right down to the wire, the runner-up, Fast N’ Loud was announced, then the winner, Paul Jr. It was disappointing that the third and fourth place rankings were not announced, however, nor were the voting percentages.
It was not surprising, of course, that Paul Jr. won this popularity contest; that was already a given. The interesting part of the contest was who the fans would choose to be the runner-up. Early in the night, it was obvious that the Gas Monkey Guys, Richard and Aaron, had a large contingent of fans in the Vegas audience—larger than Jesse James or Senior. And, while that did not necessarily mean that they would carry second place in the nationwide voting, that did prove to be the case.
To Build or REbuild?
Some complained that Richard and Aaron “rebuilt” their motorcycle, and did not “create” a bike, and, therefore, did not deserve their spot in the competition. But, fortunately, there is no competition rulebook for American Chopper: Live Build-Off that indicates that a bike has to be an unrideable piece of artwork to qualify. Moreover, considering the Gas Monkey Garage bike, Fred, was built and rebuilt from the ground up—even the motor was rebuilt at the Gas Monkey Garage, not simply bought off the shelf and placed in a ride—and considering it was the only bike on the stage that was proven to be a rideable bike—they did ride it from Texas to Vegas, after all, while the other teams hauled their bikes to the contest—Team Fast N’ Loud more than deserved their place in the competition. As one anonymous Huliq reader commented:
There was one chopper on the stage, FaL boys CHOPPED the frame to alter the stance of the bike and BOBBED the bike by altering the fenders, ie: small rear fender, no front fender. Making the bike lighter, faster and WAY COOLER than it was designed. It was CHOPPER BUILD OFF, not custom bike build off.
And, ultimately, as the Gas Monkey Garage guys tweeted after coming in second:
Well, we stuck to our word. We beat JJ with a pink bike!
That they did.
Who Finished Third and Fourth?
Still, it would be nice to know who finished third and fourth, and seems odd that Discovery Channel did not announce those places, as well. Just speculating, it seems likely that Jesse came in third and Paul Sr. finished fourth. At the time of this writing, the only “place” listed on the Discovery Channel website was Paul Jr.’s win. Would Paul Sr.’s entry deserve a fourth-place finish? Absolutely not—look at the work that went into the OCC bike this time around. And, Jesse's bike was shiny but kinda weird--in fact, it looked like he may have taken a page from the Paul Jr. book of motorcycle building. But, again, popularity—or lack of it—would seem to indicate that Paul Sr. once again landed in last place. Perhaps that is why the full results were not announced? An attempt to protect Paul Sr.’s dignity? But, realistically, he could not have really expected to win this competition. Whatever the bike, he just does not have the fans to win a fan-voted competition. Additionally, what fans Senior does have are likely not to be the ones who go around texting all day long, and that was the only way to vote in this contest.
Sound Off to Discovery Channel
So, did the right team win? Or, in fact, as some fans have complained, did ANYBODY deserve to win? Why or why not? And, should Discovery at least release the final results—including the percentages—on the Discovery Chopper Live website?
Sound off below.
UPDATED: Fast N' Loud winners of the Build-Off prank war
Image: Discovery Channel
Video: Discovery Channel/Chopper Live: The Revenge
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Comments
#1 PJD definitely has the visual
PJD definitely has the visual artistic style cues for modern TV viewers right, the FAL design was true chopper style, the JJ bike is beautiful but just confusing to me as in what exactly is it suppose to be?, the Paul Sr. design was really messed up by that huge, non sleek front end that totally conficted with the rest of what looked to be a beautiful design. I voted PJD just because it looked so artistically beautiful and complete. However, I'd probably like to own the FAL bike most.
#2 Sr. got close this time...
The OCC bike had the potential to be a great design. Maybe they rushed the design of the front end? I agree that once they put the front end on the whole thing was ruined. It was just awful. It got worse once they took it out for a road test... the scale looked funny with a rider on board and the poor design of the front end became even more evident. It's a shame because the aluminum frame with the hanging motor and swing bar was fantastic.
#3 Sr.
was a nice bike but to much over board. and like said jr fits and makes what he does not bulk it up or scrunch it together or but agree with them on the fast and loud group to win 2nd cus took old parts to make sdomething new is cool.
#4 revenge buildoff
Paul Jr. has the unique ability to combine form and function into true works of art.He deserved to win,he is a real artistic genius!
#5 He's a tool. No wait tools
He's a tool. No wait tools are useful!!
#6 Sr.
i agree Paul Sr's front end is a bit heavy. Though i do think that if his bike was featured more to the early part of the show it would have gotten more votes. I waited until I saw each bike before i voted. This was unfair to Senior.
#7 Had Sr and crew not used
Had Sr and crew not used 'drawings' but instead created on the fly like the other guys you would have seen more if it. We were able to see the other bikes being build from the ground up ASAP. I agree the front end was too much, but in the end - Jason doesnt have the artistic skill PJ has and the last few OCC bikes have been lackluster to say the least.
#8 build off
This show must have been voted on by more people who know nothing about motorcycles. LaF was a good vote, but Jr. as 1st is bs as all he did was put a motor in a prebuilt frame and add car parts. JJ and Sr. were much more creative.
#9 The show is geared towards
The show is geared towards fans of the SHOW. I dont think a requirement to vote was that you were a motorcycle mechanic, rider or work in the industry. PJ had the most creativity and build a gorgeous bike they fabricated. JJ is stupid for wasting time to make a frickin frame lol only to have his 'creation' not run, nor look good or original - it was a small, blinged out attempt at a speed bike. Senior needs to get rid of Jason - no artistic skill, same stuff shines through in each design and its getting old. F&L, good bike if you like that style, like Jesse said, 1995 called and they want their bike back!
#10 Paul Jr. same bike as always with different fenders and tank
Sorry people are missing the whole concept of this bike building. Its not bike part buying and putting together, its the same bike he always builds with different fenders, tank and handle bars, and someone else molding and painting it.
At least Jessie makes every part of his bikes, and it not only looks good but can go farther than just around the block. If I bought a bike for what Jr. wants for it 50 to 80 grand it better go more than 20 freakin miles on a tank of gas, tha'ts not riding.
#11 Bike
There are a lot of bike builder out there at can build some real nice bikes PJD is not the best out there only because he is on TV it makes it look like he is the best. People should go to some real bike shows and they would see what is out there.
#12 Bike
There are a lot of bike builder out there at can build some real nice bikes PJD is not the best out there only because he is on TV it makes it look like he is the best. People should go to some real bike shows and they would see what is out there.
#13 Why Junior Wins
I don't think you understand what a television audience votes for in a competition like this..
wasn't a competition to see who builds the bike that the most people would buy, it was a competition to see who got the most viewers to vote for their bike...the viewers, being the judges, can only judge the bike based on one thing; THEIR EYES. we cant ride the bike, nor can we watch the whole design/building process therefore we cannot judge which bike rides better or displayed the best craftsmanship. Junior understands that the viewers can only judge the bike on it's looks and both of his build off bikes are visually captivating and pleasing to the eye...simplicity and symmetry are what the eyes are attracted to which manifests in the popularity of Junior's bikes with television audiences more-so than his fellow builders. i guarantee Junior can design and build a functional rider, but so can a ton of bike builders but that wasn't the point of this competition and its not the point of building advertisement bikes on the show. But to make something that people view as artwork which can be ridden is something even the most talented designers can't accomplish if given all the time in the world.
If i had unlimited funds and could have anything i wanted i would want a bike designed by Junior, and built by Jesse James
#14 nail on the head
this guy gets it. everyone else, read it here then shut up.
#15 all builders
It is definitely clear the build off is a popularity contest. In my opinion all of the builders did a great job yea even jesse although i dont care much for his cocky attitude which is why i think a lot of voters did not vote for him. Regardles it is a chopper build off therefore PJD and the Gas Monkey boys came in their rightful place .PJD did a great bike. I didnt care much for the pink bike. It looked like your standard chopper bike that Paul Sr n Jr have designed a thousands times. But i must admit Jesse and Sr build awesome bikes. Srs went to far with the forks.im not a chopper rider. I love crotch rockets and would love to own either of those. Great work fellas. Now how about yall continue your build offs twice a year. I would really hate to see that go away and im sure i speak for millions of your fans as well. If there is another build off why dont we call it American Chopper Innovative Bike Build Off. lets see what new ideas these guys can come up with.
#16 New Build Off
Instead of riding it to Vegas they should have borrowed JRs. Toyota, now that's more like real Texans!
#17 New Build Off
Instead of riding it to Vegas they should have borrowed JRs. Toyota, now that's more like real Texans!
#18 revenge 2012
the right bike did in fact win,yet this go around discovery seemed to be all about the MONEY! highly advertized,ads every 5 mins & just cutting the victors speech.as far as OCC & Jesse's bikes they looked like small mini bikes.Maybe OCC will finally fire that idiot Jason & paqul sr. & Jesse will start a line of production bikes that are affordable & cool! ofcourse sr will have to convince Jesse to take down that insulting sign of his,"Pay up Sucker"
#19 Those Who Ride Will Know
Jesse said he was building a mix of sport bike (ducatti) and Harley (motor was V-twin, but not Harley). He said,"something no one else had done before"... REALLY?!?... Maybe he has never heard of Eric Buell? Or if you want a Big Twin sportbike try a Confederate. Both have been around for years. Another quote from Jesse "I made 99%"... HUH? The motor came straight from a crate (1%?). In the end he had to call in the experts (Baker) cuz he was in over his head...
Senior's bike was kinda cool.. OMG on the $$$.. I liked watching the frame made..
Juniors bike? I like rat rod style, but Hey, would you ride that thing? (embarrasing) A car bike??? Arlen Ness did such a nice job on his '57 Chevy bike...
Gas Monkey built the motor and a bike you could actually ride, Ol Skool... I would ride it...
Watcing the builds=cool. Pranks=lame(xcept Gas Monky impersination of OCC,haha). Vegas=Lame-o
I think I'll keep my FXR.....
#20 That's whats weird about some
That's whats weird about some of these contests. A lot of the bikes built are just not made to ride. Their essentially works of art. There was only one actual ridable motorcycle in this contest. Which is fine, people that watch Discovery channel should know what to expect. The OCC and PJ bikes (at least the theme bikes) are never designed to be ridden. I doubt if any of them would stand up to 20K a year. Their sculptures. JJ bikes are generally high dollar bikes that look really cool, but I doubt you would want to ride more than a couple hundred miles a day, if that on one of them. The Gas Monkey bike was ridable and looked good. If this was a contest for a bike that someone would actually use, I would pick them. I also wondered how come JJ had never heard of the Buell before.
#21 Erik Buell
Amen!! I have always respected Jesse, but his comment about American sport bikes made me want to punch him in the face. He built a Buell. Or a variant of anyway.
#22 I believe first and second
I believe first and second places should have been reversed. Gas Monkey should have won first. They had a bike you could ride comfortablely and proved it by riding it to the competition. Their bike wasn't monstrously huge like Paul Jr's. His bike looked extremely long, huge, and probably uncomfortable to ride for any distance. (It looked more like a show piece.) Therefore not fun to ride and that to me is what bikes are all about. FUN!!
#23 Did I miss JJ riding
Every builder, or supervisor in Paul Sr's case, rode their bike at some point, that is except JJ...did I miss that?
#24 paul sr =joke
Look first jesse's bike was cool occ wasnt a bike at all there was no skill involved it was a big peice of junk bolted together tbe kid jason(so called designer lol) put together a completely computer machined how talented is that. Gas monkey did a good job on taking an existing bike and alteringit into a true chopper. Even though pauls bike was huge it was a sick bike he even said it was a little hard riding itbut it was bad
#25 go ride
yippie ki yah, don't mess with texas, go back across the border with ur half brothers and sisters
#26 go ride
yippie ki yah, don't mess with texas, go back across the border with ur half brothers and sisters
#27 confindence-not cocky
Voted for & LOVE the guys @ Gas Monkey! They know what's cool and deserve to win over jesse- whats his face and paul senior citizen! But P Jr had the $ resources to make a truely 1st place bike! WOOOW!
#28 Votes
I think that is the issue. Its the best bike. What is "the best bike" Is it one that someone builds every piece? Is it one that is artistically pleasing? Is it one that is most comfortable to ride? The best bike is like arguing who the best baseball player is or the best car etc. There are so many things to take into consideration.
I highly respect a builder that does everything old school and builds each part by hand. I think JJ has skills. However having an art background I highly respect Juniors bike looks. Im sure many have the skills JJ has as well however financially, time wise it doesn't make sense. Why build someting by hand in 3 days when you can modify or purchase something already built?
#29 biker build-off
Well, the biker build-off showed itself to be a popularity contest. Due to a lack rules on the build-off, a winner is difficult to pick. Unless these bikes are judged by professional bike builders, only the outside design appearance makes any difference. It takes a skilled metal man to appreciate the types of things that make an innovative mechanical bike. I think that Sr and Jessie probably build a tremendous bike that would last forever and have lots of great fabrication. The Fast and Furious boys built a "riders bike" but that didn't help Jessie last time, so he went for a sport look. With voting as it currently is, they might as well have bikes with mock motors. The bikes should be judged by professionals who actually look closely, ride and test the bikes and then you would have something!
#30 Next Year
Next years build off should be a 3 way build off between the boys on Moonshiners, see who can build the best still and the winner will be determined by a "drink off". This biker build off is nothing but a popularity contest between guys with shows on Discovery Channel. The Fast and Loud boys did what they do, they flipped a bike. Jr came with a "car" bike and both Jessie and Sr. came with Sport Bikes. I thought the show was called "Chopper Live" but I did not see anything I would consider to be a chopper