Jesse James New Show, American Craftsman

Jesse James new online series - American Craftsman

Crafting anything with your own two hands is a more satisfying feeling than any drug could ever hope to achieve. The sense of satisfaction and purpose from creating anything are buried deep within our DNA as another form of survival and perpetuation of our human existence. It is so damn great to hear about and now view the show that several major networks passed on finally be aired even if its just online. Keep up the great work and can't wait for more.

The American Craftsman With Jesse James, Is Exactly What We Need On TV

Hopefully Jesse James can get his new tv series launched about the American Craftsman

The American Craftsman, brought to you by Jesse James is exactly what we need on TV. The older I get, the less and less shows I find any interest in watching unless there is something I can glean from them regarding a new skill set or knowledge about an area of interest that I have. The further we move forward as a culture, it seems the less and less we have of folks actually understanding how to use their hands as a valuable tool. This to me is a sad facet of how computers and the internet are supposed to make life easier. In all reality they are robbing all of us what is intrinsically part of our nature. We were born from evolution of exploring and being tactile in our approach to the world around us. Getting back to basics is more than just a mantra, it needs to become a way of life akin to the way exercising is great for the body and soul. Working with your hands, intellect and perfecting your craft is a life long journey.



Jesse James American Craftsman TV Series (Minute Intro) from Jesse James on Vimeo.

Jesse James Early Morning Hammertime, From Vimeo

Jesse James hammering a Aluminum grill shell for the Circuit of the Americas Roadster on a 1930's Yoder Power hammer

Stamping Out Keychains With Jesse James

Love his work or hate his personal life, who the hell cares. Give credit to someone that is continually refining their craft. Stoked to see more of Jesse James black smith work along with more forging. This could all lead to some very interesting parts for sale.

Check out Jesse James etsy store

Hand stamped key chains by Jesse James

Assymetry works out great in this scenario of stamped logos

Glowing red hot from the forge

Jesse James at work in his shop

Old Ideas Equal Good TV Ratings For Discovery

Yep, guilty as charged, we are sure as hell watching the bike build off on Discovery Channel. I find it rather amazing that Paul Sr and his team went for a race bike style. Not that the bike is truly interesting visually, as Confederate had this style pegged years ago, but at least they did something different and challenged themselves, for that they score some props. Orange County Choppers didn't take the easy road such as Junior did. With another bike that is more reflective of an overpriced sculpture, rather than a real motorcycle, he easily proves he doesn't care about motorcycles, only the cameras and the money. Please exit stage left and let real bikers back on television.

Confederate Motorcycles - B120 Wraith

Orange County Choppers - Discovery Bike Build Off

Jesse James build is truly a sport bike and one that might even make Erik Buell salivate over. Where he ups the ante though is adding an EFI Twin Cam motor into a race bike style frame and the articulating chassis was a serious batch of engineering. Although his bike looks unique, a bit of it's styling nods already go out to the folks over at Buell, Wakan and Roland Sands who are creating some of the most stylish sport bikes powered by V-Twin motors. Jesse has a huge ego, but that is what makes him damn interesting and you cannot forget that this is entertainment. Americans love an antihero and Jesse gives it to them in spades. The way he approaches the building of a project, is of an engineer, not an assembly person. Let him gloat all he wants, if others want to be on his level of building, they should learn the craft and want to be more than just assembly artists. Mucho kudos for always taking the path least traveled and working through problems on an engineering and structural level.

Wakan Motorcycles has truly built a sportbike utilizing the Harley powerplant

Jesse James unique sportbike that has a plethora of great engineering features

Last but not least, we cannot forget about the dudes over at Gas Monkey Garage. They went for a classic chopper look which is hard to beat and pulled it off, with a style that is tight and flowing akin to a Cole Foster build. There aren't many bells and whistles, just a cool and fun little chopper that handles the way a bike should and looks to be mechanically sound. They have a great attitude throughout their show and generally get that it's all about entertainment. Maybe in the future they could add more bike builds to the show instead of all car flips.

Gas Monkey Garage's pink split rocker box Shovelhead chopper

Cole Foster definitely was an inspiration for the Gas Monkey Garage fellas.

Hopefully with the American Chopper series wrapping up, Discovery can focus on real mechanics and builders who are challenging the way the folks look at their rides. We personally think they should invest film time, in the new bikes being built by Motus Motorcycles. Their new style of American Sportbike, has a new engine style for a motorcycle, based on a car engine block and developed by Pratt & Whitney. 

Do us all a favor Discovery, dial back the drama and focus on American ingenuity in engineering, basic mechanics and overall quality in the projects at hand. I know it's a stretch but maybe even focus on using your corporate name as a point of departure. Wasn't that the original intention of the channel anyways? The corporate sponsors will continue to bank roll the channel through leveraged advertising, but most of all, you will challenge the next generation to create and imagine greater ideas that will help shape the future. 

Metal Church With Jesse James - Parts 3 and 4

We were guessing with Jesse James bike build off on Discovery Channel that he would be working on a new show for the channel and our theories were proven correct. Discovery is a great channel overall, but we have always wondered why they kept the American Chopper show on for so long, as the show is more about high paid advertising and family drama rather than about motorcycles or custom builds. We completely rationalize with the idea that the corporate advertising pays for the channel and gives them the ability to produce more shows, but to what detriment? The family squabbles made a mockery of the Teutels and it became just another soap opera, same as ESPN. Not that their builds were something we enjoy or would ever ride, but imagine yourself as a teenager and thinking on a career path. By being able to see a machinist, builder, fabricator, mechanic etc. as a viable career choice, they are missing a huge opportunity to truly grow their market share. Mike Rowe's Dirty Jobs portrays all sorts of tough jobs that are being done and are providing an honest living that aren't cubicle driven.

America has forgotten how we got started and what made us great. Many have forgotten what it is like to fix the random item that breaks at the home or how to do an oil change. College is not always the solution or striving for the proverbial white collar job. Trade careers are continuing to diminish as we are losing our industrial might which is sad. Hopefully with Jesse James new show, Discovery will once again focus on craftsmanship instead of drama. The same as most should focus on his amazing skill set compared to his personal life.

Granted many folks are voyeurs and live vicariously through others, so we ask this. Instead of watching life go by, become an entrenched part of it. If ya don't know how to dial in four carburetors, learn. If ya can't bend sheet metal or weld, go to your local community college and take some classes. Life is too damn short so go out and make something happen that you can call your own.

Leave a legacy and something to be remembered by, take the high road and make it work.

Jesse James TIG Welding - Photo from Cyril Huze Blog

Cyril Huze posted an interview with Jesse about the build off coming up next week with the Teutels and you can read it below or link back over to the original article.

Link to original article and photos on CyrilHuzeBlog.com

Jesse James, Paul Junior and Senior duel in the ultimate TV build-off on the Discovery Channel and you are about to decide who is the best builder. In advance of the 2-day TV event (Episode “Chopper Finale” December 5 at 9 pm when the 3 customs will be revealed, Episode “Chopper Live” December 6 at 9 pm to vote and see the winner), Jesse James took some time to answer my questions…ramping-up the smack talk against the Teutuls… A couple of revelations, too.

Cyril. Although I can’t show pictures of your bike before Monday’s and Tuesday’s episodes, can you explain to my readers your approach for this build-off, what type of bike did you build. Jesse. I just wanted to build a bike purely for myself. I wanted a style and materials that “I” want. At the end of the day I’m keeping this fucker, so I might as well do something that I will dig.

Cyril. How much help did you get? Jesse. Ha! The only real help I had was unloading the truck of raw material coming in the door of the shop. Really I had Bacon with me the whole time helping run parts and this and that. Which I could not have done without him. Jeff Decker and Cole Foster also stopped by for a couple days to help out. It was so great doing this with my friends.

Jesse James getting proper measurements for ride comfort - Photo from Cyril Huze Blog

Cyril. Do you think that the bikes you build today are very different from the ones you were known for years ago? Which way? Jesse. I think this is a big step out of my comfort zone. It’s leaner and meaner and uses a lot of materials and skills that I have been afraid to work with in the past. Mostly because I wasn’t that good at working with them. I think I needed to push myself on this build. Just to prove that I can do what I do from my new shop at home. 17 years of having the power and resources of West Coast Choppers in my back pocket. Now that is all gone. Time for me to prove that I was really the driving force behind all of it. I have to admit I was a bit nervous hanging it all out there on my own.

Cyril. Do you have a personal and/or professional gripe with those 2? Jesse. I doubt if I would piss on either one if they were on fire :- )

Cyril. Would you hire any of them in your Austin shop? To do what? Jesse. Absolutely Not. I have 19 y.o. kids at my Austin Speed Shop that would work circles around any one of them…

Cyril. Your definition of a great custom motorcycle? Jesse. Frame, Motor, Trans, Small tank, Brakes and lots of Love. Minus a reference point.

Wooden mold for a custom tank by Jesse James - Photo from Cyril Huze Blog

Cyril. Do you think it’s possible that one of them, or both, surprise you with a bike your really like?

Jesse. I really wish and hope one of them would build something Bad Ass. Something I would tip my hat too. Sadly I think we all know it will just be more of the same. They really want to beat me so they will be emptying the parts room. Welding as many wings, and scoops, and fins as possible.

Cyril. It seems that it will be a popularity contest more than anything else. Can a bad boy get more votes than 2 “family men”?  

Jesse. Yeah, Jr. started trying to mooch votes and couple weeks ago. Pretty Lame. I have an idea! How about we show people the bikes first, then ask them to vote.

Cyril. There are ultimately 2 possibilities for you. Tell me why you will win? Why you could lose? 

Jesse. I think there are actually 3. I think this is my chance to remind people what I really do. I think there is a large amount of people that think I’m famous just because I married a Hollywood actress. I really hope to show people that since Monster Garage ended that I have done nothing but devote myself to my skills. I really think that I am 100 times better now. I hope people see this and I inspires them to follow there passion like I have.

Cyril. Does the result really matter to you? 

 Jesse. I’d love to win, but if I don’t it will not change my feelings about my bike, not even 1%. It’s a Bad Motherfucker, and I love it!

Cyril. With the result of this competition, is your return on the Discovery Channel with your own show on the line?  

Jesse. We start filming an All New Series in January for the Discovery Channel.

Cyril. What kind of TV show you prefer to have? Building? Teaching? Entertaining? 

Jesse. Bigger Better Monster Garage, Time to Put Discovery on the map again and cut a new Groove in Television.

Metal Church With Jesse James Parts 1 and 2 - Sheet Metal Fabrication

Did yall happen to catch these shows posted on youtube a few years back by Jesse James called Metal-Church? Was able to find them after a bit of digging and they are definitely gems when it comes to understanding basic sheet metal fabrication and attempting to build your own gas tanks in particular. We have a load of sheet metal work coming up on the 1951 Chevy 3600 with not as many tools as we would like to have. In our mindset this means, a lot of research to see how those in the know do it with a variety of techniques or molds that could be made from wood to help pound out some basic shapes. 

For more info on basic metal fabrication dig into the multitude of youtube videos available. Or do the next best thing go seek out someone that knows their shit and learn a few new things. We are dealing with a lot of rust so we have been getting some solid advice from John over at K & J Antiques as he rebuilds vintage gas pumps and knows his way around sheet metal and painting. We will have some progress photos of the Chevy Shop Truck later this week.