West Coast Choppers facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Fate | In Business |
| Founded | 1992 or 1993 in Paramount, California, U.S. |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
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Key people
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Jesse James |
| Products | Branded clothing and other tie-in merchandise, choppers |
| Revenue | US$ 6 million |
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Number of employees
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50 |
West Coast Choppers (WCC) is a company that started by selling T-shirts and stickers. Its founder, Jesse James, began this business while still in high school. The company's logo features a special cross design, similar to an Iron Cross or Maltese cross.
Even after West Coast Choppers started building custom motorcycles, most of its money came from selling branded items. These items included clothing, drinks, and tools. The company sold about 12 to 15 custom motorcycles each year. These bikes cost around US$150,000 each. Selling motorcycles actually cost the company money, but it helped them get a lot of positive attention.
West Coast Choppers became famous by building bikes for celebrities. Some of their famous clients included Shaquille O'Neal, Kid Rock, and Keanu Reeves. Jesse James himself also became a star through TV shows. He appeared on the Discovery Channel in the Motorcycle Mania series and the show Monster Garage.
The company's main office in Long Beach, California, closed in 2010. However, it reopened in 2013 with a new headquarters in Austin, Texas.
Contents
The Story of West Coast Choppers
West Coast Choppers began in the early 1990s. The company gained a lot of attention from TV shows on the Discovery Channel. These shows included Motorcycle Mania I and II in 2001. In 2004, Jesse James also starred with Kid Rock in Motorcycle Mania III.
These TV shows helped more people learn about Jesse James and West Coast Choppers. This made the brand much more popular. Jesse James also narrated a 2006 Discovery show called History of the Chopper. In this show, he built his own motorcycle to honor the bikes from the 1960s.
Understanding the Company's Logo
In 2004, some schools in California banned West Coast Choppers merchandise. This was because the company's logo, which uses a cross symbol, was misunderstood. Some people thought it was related to harmful groups.
Jesse James and others explained that the cross is based on the Maltese cross. This symbol is used by many groups, including fire departments. They stated it does not represent any hateful ideas. A similar ban happened in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2003, which led to student protests.
Legal Challenges and Changes
In 2005, West Coast Choppers agreed to pay $35,000. This was to settle a claim that the company used computer software without proper licenses. This software was used to design their motorcycles.
In 2007, Jesse James faced a large fine. This was because West Coast Choppers sold over 50 motorcycles between 1998 and 2005 that did not meet California's air pollution rules. James said he did not know about new rules for small motorcycle makers. He also said he offered to fix the bikes, but the state refused.
State officials said their efforts were aimed at the whole custom motorcycle industry. They also said they were not aware of any offer from West Coast Choppers to recall the motorcycles. Since 2005, West Coast Choppers has built bikes that meet all pollution rules.
Community Projects and Company Changes
In 2008, West Coast Choppers worked with the City of Long Beach. They designed steel artwork for city streets. The company also designed a "Long Beach 2030 Plan Van." This was a mobile classroom to promote city planning projects. In 2009, a part of a street was renamed "West Coast Choppers Place" to honor the company.
In 2009, West Coast Choppers stopped selling parts for customizing motorcycles. They only offered complete bikes or clothing and other non-bike items. Jesse James wanted more control over production. He also wanted to fight against fake products and ensure high quality.
In October 2010, the Long Beach shop closed. Jesse James later decided to reopen the company in 2013. In 2019, West Coast Choppers launched a new line of merchandise. This was in partnership with Kimi Raikkonen, a famous F1 World Champion.
How West Coast Choppers Became Popular
The founder, Jesse James, is a big part of the company's marketing. He is seen as a "relatable bad boy" with a down-to-earth appeal. Experts say he has turned his image into many successful fashion lines. This is similar to how other famous entrepreneurs have built their brands.
Celebrity Bikes and Publicity
Building motorcycles for famous people was a key way to promote the company. For example, a motorcycle made for Shaquille O'Neal cost US$150,000. It was custom-made for his large size, resulting in a very long bike. This unique bike brought "priceless publicity" to the company.
Clothing and Other Products
Clothing sales are the biggest money-maker for West Coast Choppers. Sales in Europe are much higher than in the US. At one point, there were five different clothing lines. Some were sold by West Coast Choppers directly, and others were available at large stores like Wal-Mart. There were also high-end lines in more expensive department stores. These clothing items include hoodies, T-shirts, and jackets.
Besides clothing and custom bikes, West Coast Choppers also partnered with other companies. For example, in 2004, they had a contest with Yoo-hoo chocolate drinks. Winners could get a motorcycle, which helped promote a new Yoo-hoo flavor.
West Coast Choppers also worked with Huffy to design Huffy choppers. These bikes were sold at Wal-Mart. The goal was to repeat the success of a rival company's bike design. Other partnerships included welding tools designed by Jesse James. They also worked with Airstream trailers to create a motorcycle with a sidecar that looked like the famous campers.
The West Coast Choppers Look
West Coast Choppers motorcycles are known for their "old school" and simple style. They are often described as stripped down, meaning they have only the essential parts. A special touch on WCC bikes is the use of old bullet casings as decorations. These are purely for looks and are placed on parts like fuel caps. This design choice is meant to remind people of Jesse James's famous ancestor, the old west outlaw Jesse James.
The company's cross logo is also a common feature on WCC bikes. This symbol is very popular in the custom car and bike culture. While the bikes are called "old school," West Coast Choppers has also tried new styles. They have moved away from traditional Harley-Davidson choppers to create more original designs.
The designs for West Coast Choppers logos and symbols are created by a professional design firm. They research old biker styles to make sure the designs look authentic. This helps to create a unique and appealing look for the brand.
Images for kids
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West Coast Choppers logo
See also
In Spanish: West Coast Choppers para niños
