Does anyone know why Vinny doesn't work at OCC anymore? I don't watch the show as much anymore and I saw him at World of Wheels with his own booth for autographs that said "Vinny formerly of Orange County Customs". There were tons of people in line for an autograph and picture. I kept walking and two booths down was Will Castro from "Unique Whips" and people were avoiding him like the plague.

I don't know how updated their website is, but TLC still has Vinnie listed as one of the guys (http://turbo.discovery.com/american-chopper/meet/vinnie.html) currently on the show.

I don't know, but he hasn't been on the last few episodes I've seen.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/vinnie-and-cody-from-occ-create-their-own-custom-bike-company/2

http://www.vforcecustoms.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

I haven't watched that show in sometime either, but I did hear that Vinnie was going to leave. Ahhhhh...IMO, he and Cody are better off on their own.


(Thanks for the links, WILD72)!


Respectfully,
John R.

Vinnie and Cody started there own bike shop, V FORCE CUSTOMS I think is the name. Google his name and it comes up. He wasn't getting paid enough he thought.

After Paul seniors company got mondo big I always wondered how much he was getting payed.
What do you guys think?

Speaking of "Unique Whips"...That Castro fella gets under my skin in about 5 seconds. The rest of those guys seem pretty cool and talented. JMO.

Skip

There was the "V-Twin Expo" here in Cincinnati a few weeks ago. it is a "Dealer only" show that is not open to the General public.

I saw Vinnie and Cody there attending the exibit and looking at the Vendors.

Orange County Choppers was there so I assumed they were there with them.

On the show, they always tried to make it look like Cody aggravated Vinnie. Guess that goes to show you can't believe everything you see on TV.

I stopped watching American Chopper... Pual jr was being the big shot "Designer" and Vinny did all the work. But if you watched the show in the past the real designer was Vinny. That guy pulled all kinds of neat fabrication stuff out of his a$$ while Sr. & Jr. collected all the fame...

Way to go Vinny! Now go get a Chevelle... :D

One night I was flipping trough the channels and saw the preview on after the commercial break vinnie leaves so I had to see that. If you cruise the v-force site they pay no tribute to OCC which I think they need to do or else they wouldn't be halfway were they are now.

Does anyone know why Vinny doesn't work at OCC anymore? I don't watch the show as much anymore and I saw him at World of Wheels with his own booth for autographs that said "Vinny formerly of Orange County Customs". There were tons of people in line for an autograph and picture. I kept walking and two booths down was Will Castro from "Unique Whips" and people were avoiding him like the plague.

Will Castro or should I say Will $SSHOLE?? I just refuse to watch that show because he really gets under my skin bad.:yes: I can watch about any car show even tho I'm not all that crazy about it but I can't do Will Castro.

I stopped watching American Chopper... Pual jr was being the big shot "Designer" and Vinny did all the work. But if you watched the show in the past the real designer was Vinny. That guy pulled all kinds of neat fabrication stuff out of his a$$ while Sr. & Jr. collected all the fame...

Way to go Vinny! Now go get a Chevelle... :D

I agree, even when the bike goes to paint. Nubs does all that design too.

Will is a GANGSTA - can't stand it.

I could not agree more with Nor Cal Chevelle and driver above, regarding Gangsta Will, I will not watch the show because he makes me sick! I do wish Vinny and Cody well in their new venture.

I quit watching that show a long time ago when I realized how much imported crap he sells. Maybe he should change the name to China Choppers. :(:(

Hey all i was told Vin left due to the big heads, place started to look more like a movie set less like a bike shop, lack of respect shown to him and the fact they just wanted to build bikes not to deal with all the crap that was going on. Don't be surprised though if a producer finds them and starts a new show with them, ala miami/hollywood ink. Vin is a great guy i hope it works out for them. Ralph

I bet Paul Sr. was'nt willing to spread the wealth. Vinnie if you notice toward the end was not even at the bike unvailing parties. There gitt'in mega rich and tossing crumbs at Vinnie. I'm sure he heard from Paul Sr. this company would'nt be anywhere if it were'nt for me type deals. It's to funny people tend to forget where they started from and who helped them get there. When the money starts rolling in the truth and Greed comes out. Good luck to Vinnie he was the real deal at that shop. Not the Tuttles. Won't watch the show any longer. And it was my favorite at one time.

I stopped watching American Chopper... Pual jr was being the big shot "Designer" and Vinny did all the work. But if you watched the show in the past the real designer was Vinny. That guy pulled all kinds of neat fabrication stuff out of his a$$ while Sr. & Jr. collected all the fame...

Way to go Vinny! Now go get a Chevelle... :D


I stopped watching too, Sr. amd Jr. I couldn't handle anymore. They all really screwed with Cody, like he was .
To see Vinny and Cody move on, how cool is that :thumbsup:

Well hell. Is OCC even on anymore? I havent seen an ad for any sort of fix it type of show on TLC or Discovery anymore. No Turbo or whatever it was called, nothing. All I know is, at this time, Overhaulin is a done deal, not sure about Rides, though havent heard a peep from that show in a few years now either. And now that Boyd has passed away, I am wondering what the future will hold for American Hot Rod. I didnt even see any sort of a marithon tribute of American Hot Rod at all since his death.

Is it even possible to have any decent buildup type of show anymore? Musclecar on Spike just doesnt do much for me. Stacys Gearz TV show is the only current show I liked and was cool providing they could stick with a certain time slot every week. Havent heard anything about that show in months now either. I missed most of them because of the time slot issue.

Yep, still on, every thurs night

remember the "old school" bike Sr & Cody built that was given to Cody, when Cody left, Sr wouldn't let Cody have it either.

about vinny...good for him, but he needs to give props to OCC, even if they burned him.

oh, and unique whips is lame...oooh, a speaker box? oooh, some new seats? woooow....48 tv screens!!! please. i'd rather watch nopi tunervision or something.

vinny and cody seemed to have better sense than the rest of the bunch:yes:

OCC is their past, they need to focus on their future. They seemed to do as much or more than their fair share for OCC.

I have lost a lot of respect for vinny and cody after seeing their website a month or two ago and they give no mention whatsoever of the Tuettles. I would bet nearly anything that neither one of the two would be bike builders if it weren't for the Tuettles. Cody was just some highschool loudmouth they gave a part time job too and sent him to school, and Vinny was an old friend of Paul Jr's that needed a job. Even if either or both of them would have ended up in the same place they are right now, they would be nothing more than a couple of of "Who?"s. I personally think it is in great distaste to not give at least some recognition to the guys that made them who they are.

The American Chopper show started without them, was successful without them, and OCC will remain successful without them.

Jeff

If that's true then the Tuttle's should have big posters of Vinnie and Cody in their shop and mentions of them on their website because those two helped them get where they are too. I checked and I didn't see either, did you?

I have lost a lot of respect for vinny and cody after seeing their website a month or two ago and they give no mention whatsoever of the Tuettles. I would bet nearly anything that neither one of the two would be bike builders if it weren't for the Tuettles. Cody was just some highschool loudmouth they gave a part time job too and sent him to school, and Vinny was an old friend of Paul Jr's that needed a job. Even if either or both of them would have ended up in the same place they are right now, they would be nothing more than a couple of of "Who?"s. I personally think it is in great distaste to not give at least some recognition to the guys that made them who they are.

The American Chopper show started without them, was successful without them, and OCC will remain successful without them.

Jeff
I was under the impression that Cody was the a son of Paul SR. ex girl friend before he got so big for his britches?? Thought he had dreamed all that up by himself ?
Anybodys father put up with a son such as Mike on a payroll?
Why dont they send him a allowance. Leave him at the house.

I wonder if the entire thing is just a front - OCC sets up Vinnie and COdy with a bit of funding and their own shop with all appearances being that they're striking out on their own.

Not that it would make a good reality TV show or anything.....

If you read this, Cody does give thanks for the oppurtunity to work and learn at OCC.

http://www.vforcecustoms.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2&Itemid=1

Sounds to me they both do a pretty good job of recognizing their time growing at OCC.

Ha, I'm not surprised Vinny and Cody went on their own. The few times I watched the show lately Vinny was always pulling Cody into the project to work with him and it was obvious they were good friends.

I just really hope that comment about Paul Sr. not letting Cody take the bike he gave him is not true. That is pretty sad if it's true.

It's interesting to see that Nub Graphics is sponsoring V-Force Customs. Let's see if Nub keeps doing OCC work.

Good for Vinnie and COdy....I really started to dislike that show when they smashed down the old shop with one of there trucks...Must be nice to have money to burn (smash)...and the show was always about Sr..Jr..and that Dumb A$$ brother...

And for Gastrol...nope can't stand that show or him. I flick it off faster than a bug on my arm...Just the way the show starts out with him talking about how bad he had it and were he is today from all his hard work...how about the boys that helped to put him there...a little recognition to his workers would be nice to see...and shutting the H*LL - up...would do it for me... These shows got to stop this BS..about a deadline...it's way over kill...:sad:

I would've have left too. Vinny didn't have the time or money to put a roof on his own house. I'm not sure which. Either way sounds to me like he wasn't getting what he needed to be happy enough to stay. Wouldn't that cause enough of us to leave a job? your boss is making enough money to build 2 new shops, a hugh house, enough bikes, cars, trailors, 4 wheelers, distroy doors, walls, glass in the shop (money being thrown away) and everything else and not enough money or time to put a roof on your house. I would've left too.

So has V-force customs produced a bike yet?

Yes they have.....if you check out their webpage they have one already completed. It looks pretty SICK!

Vinnie left OCC for personal reasons that he didnt mention, but it was obvious that he wasnt getting recognition for his work or commensurate pay. Paul Jr did less work then Vinnie and Jr seemed to get all the props for the work once it was completed. Your product is only as good as your staff. Reminds me of Tom Selleck when he was filming the series Magnum P.I.. The studio gave him a huge bonus of around $400,000. Instead of spending it all on himself, he went out and bought gifts for each and every cast and staff member of the series as well as throwing a big party for them. He felt that your finished product (the show) is only as good as the people that make it. Happy staff=Good product. Its a no brainer!

As for the person who is extolling the virtues of OCC and the fact that Cody and Vinnie dont give them the props they deserve...I beg to differ. They clearly state on their website a list of people they thank and give props to. The fact that they dont mention OCC directly might be a restriction from OCC on there webpage due to copyright issues for legal reasons. This is not likely a slight against OCC, I think its more about V-Force not wanting issues with lawyers and legal problems by mentioning OCC on their webpage and making it seem like they are "piggy-backing" their business on someone elses by name dropping OCC. It makes sense to me. I have seen Cody's work as well as Vinnies and it stands on its own apart from OCC. But then again...dont take my word for it....check it out for yourself....

www.vforcecustoms.com

I wish them both the very best of luck and success.

Couldn't say it any better 53Chev.

Actually, I just got a call from Vinnie. He wanted me to update you guys on whats happening. Right now they are getting some equipment delivered and installed at the shop (CNC and Flow Jet, etc). They will be a month or two before they get the shop fully functional and already have a waiting list for bike orders. They have had a tremendous amount of help with getting their company off the ground. Both he and Cody left OCC on good terms and there are no ill feelings.

Finally, he mentioned that they welcome the continued support from the Team Chevelle community and offered an open invitation for anyone to stop in if they find themselves in the area. The address for the shop is on their website.

I always enjoyed there show, it was interesting to watch how they did things. I give Vinnie and Cody a lot of credit for going it on there own.

I still like watching the show, if its anything to do with metal, bending, cutting, welding whatever, its all good stuff.

I'm sure the Tuttles wish those guys nothing but the best, why wouldn't they, its like an extension of themselves, and what they did as a team.

They learned how to do things together. Like Boyd coddington and some of the other shows, this is all related to what were doing on here, how can you be a car type guy and not like it.

I wish them all good luck. I hope the Tuttles keep there show going, and Vinnie and Cody get there own show.

Rob

Just a question here...
How many more custom bikes are needed out there.:confused:
There has to be like 10 trillion by now...
I guess I'm just not a bike guy...:noway:

Just a question here...
How many more custom bikes are needed out there.:confused:
There has to be like 10 trillion by now...
I guess I'm just not a bike guy...:noway:

I'm with you MIke!

I'm with you MIke!
Ditto!

Just a question here...
How many more custom bikes are needed out there.:confused:
There has to be like 10 trillion by now...
I guess I'm just not a bike guy...:noway:

:D until they run out of "themes"

Only so many comic books, military vehicles and such out there. You will know when the end is near when you see a Hello Kitty bike built.

I appreciate the work done, hope they all do well but im with ya - all these custom bikes fly around here in CA and don really catch my eye anymore or warrant a second look (for me personally)

Dammit, you ruined my next build, of the Hello Kitty Bike :D

Not just how many bikes are made, but it amazes me how many people can afford something like that...aren't they close to 6 figures? That must be just expendible cash too, as it's not real practical; esp. with kids, ha ha.

I'm not into bikes much, but do like to check out a nice one here and there...

Most of the custom builds that I see, I wouldn't ride to the end of my driveway. I have worked on some of them and you wouldn't believe how cobbled up most of them are. No thoughts toward handeling, comfort, braking and so on.

Im sure he had enough of the whining those father and son wanna-be's did.
There isnt enough money in the world to put up with their girly crap
he was the only one who knew what he was doing there