When you think of bold custom motorcycles and wild chopper builds, the name Paul Jr. Designs often comes up. Founded by motorcycle designer and television personality Paul Teutul Jr., the company blends craftsmanship with branding and creative design. While many remember the thrill of its early bike-building days, Paul Jr. Designs has grown and shifted, adapting in a changing marketplace. In this article, we’ll explore the firm’s history, current status, products, what makes it special, its challenges, competitive field, customer impact, future prospects, and financial picture.
History of Paul Jr. Designs
Paul Jr. Designs was founded in 2009 by Paul Teutul Jr. after his departure from his former company, Orange County Choppers (OCC). He served as chief designer and fabricator at OCC before deciding to start his own business. The name of the company reflects his initials, and it initially operated as a custom motorcycle shop.
In its early years, the company built themed choppers, participated in televised build-offs, and used the platform of custom bikes to make a name for itself. Over time, it expanded from strictly motorcycles into other design work, marketing, product development, and brand collaborations. The foundation of the company is rooted in the “custom chopper” culture, but it has evolved into a broader creative services business.
Is Paul Jr. Designs Still in Business?
Yes, Paul Jr. Designs is still operating as of the latest information available. The company’s official website is active and lists ongoing services, events, brand partnerships, and the tagline “Providing outside the box marketing for some of the world’s most iconic and innovative brands.”
Their “About” page states the company continues to serve clients beyond motorcycles, noting apparel, cars, art, and product design. While it may not be operating at the same scale in custom bike builds as it did during its early days, Paul Jr. Designs is still active and continuing to offer design and marketing services.
Paul Jr. Designs Today: What Products Does It Still Make?
Today, Paul Jr. Designs offers a mix of product lines and services:
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Custom motorcycles: Remain a signature product, though fewer builds are featured publicly in recent years compared to the company’s earlier years.
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Design services: The company has expanded into product design, marketing, branding, and apparel.
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Apparel and branded merchandise: The company offers clothing lines and branded items tied to its identity.
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Brand collaborations and specialty builds: For example, Paul Jr. Designs worked on a project with World of Warcraft, designing themed bikes for a game tie-in.
So while the company hasn’t abandoned its roots in custom bikes, it has diversified into design and marketing services, making it more than just a bike shop.
What’s Special About the Company?
Several unique aspects set Paul Jr. Designs apart:
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The founder, Paul Teutul Jr., is a well-known figure from the reality television series American Chopper. His fame lends the company brand power, media exposure, and a built-in audience.
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The company fuses design, fabrication, and branding. Instead of just building bikes, its focus is on storytelling, thematic builds, brand identity, and marketing value for clients. Their builds often connect to corporate clients, charities, or media tie-ins.
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Creativity and craftsmanship: The custom motorcycles are high-end, bespoke works of art, often with elaborate themes or branding built in. This positioning elevates the company above a standard bike manufacturer.
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The company’s diversification into design, apparel, and product development allows it to adapt and offer more than just bikes. This strategic flexibility is a special asset.
Current Struggles and Controversies
While information on recent controversies specific to Paul Jr. Designs is not widely publicized, here are some likely challenges and known issues:
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The custom motorcycle business is niche and expensive. The cost of materials, skilled labor, marketing, and time make profitability difficult, especially as clients may expect quick turnarounds or media exposure.
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Changing consumer tastes: The market for big custom choppers may shrink, or face increasing regulation, costs, or supply-chain issues (materials, fabrication).
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Brand dilution risk: As the company expands into design, marketing, and apparel, there is a risk that its core identity (custom bikes) could become less clear or lose focus.
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Legal and financial legacy: Although not directly related to the company’s operations, the founder’s family business background (the OCC split, lawsuits) may cast shadows on brand credibility.
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Lack of recent major media exposure: One of the company’s differentiators was TV episodes and build-offs. With less mainstream publicity in recent years, it may find new client acquisition more challenging.
How Has Paul Jr. Designs Performed Financially in Recent Years?
Detailed financial data on Paul Jr. Designs is limited since it is a private company and does not disclose full financials. However, some observations are available:
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The company has maintained an online presence and declares active services in 2025.
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In its early years, the company had built a strong brand and secured clients like GEICO.
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The founder’s individual net worth is estimated in the low millions, though this does not directly correlate to the company’s revenue.
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The company’s diversification into design, branding, and apparel suggests an effort to stabilize revenue beyond custom builds. This indicates that the business is working to stay financially viable, even though it may not operate at the mass-market scale.
Who Are Paul Jr. Designs’ Main Competitors?
In the custom motorcycle and creative fabrication/branding industry, Paul Jr. Designs faces competition from:
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Other custom bike builders, such as West Coast Choppers (Jesse James) and other boutique shops that build high-end motorcycles and themed choppers for wealthy clients, brands, and collectors.
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Design and branding firms offering product design, marketing services, and experiential builds. Since PJD has expanded into design and branding beyond motorcycles, it also competes in this broader field.
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The broader custom automotive/modification market, where consumers may choose to invest in custom cars, hot rods, or other bespoke vehicles rather than motorcycles.
Given its dual focus on custom motorcycles and design services, Paul Jr. Designs competes in two areas: specialty motorcycle fabrication and creative branding/marketing agencies. Its strong reputation and the founder’s recognition give it an edge in the market.
Impact of Paul Jr. Designs on Customers
Paul Jr. Designs has had a significant impact on its customers:
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For collectors and motorcycle enthusiasts, the company offers high levels of craftsmanship and customization, turning motorcycle fantasies into reality. The custom bikes are unique, with high showpiece value.
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For corporate clients and brands, Paul Jr. Designs provides a way to turn a custom bike into a marketing asset or symbol of brand identity. The company’s ability to blend design, fabrication, and branding makes it a differentiated product.
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For fans of custom culture and reality TV, the company continues to appeal to nostalgia and the bespoke design sensibility that made it famous on American Chopper.
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On the design services side, customers benefit from the creative reputation of the company, leveraging its experience to support apparel lines, specialty products, or marketing assets.
Overall, Paul Jr. Designs has provided both individual clients and brands with access to high-end customization, adding prestige and marketing value.
Future Outlook for Paul Jr. Designs
Looking ahead, several factors will shape the future of Paul Jr. Designs:
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Diversification and adaptation: As the company has moved into design, branding, and apparel, continuing to expand those services could stabilize income and allow growth beyond custom builds.
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Emerging mobility trends: With electric motorcycles and sustainability concerns on the rise, Paul Jr. Designs may explore new vehicle platforms like electric bikes to stay relevant.
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Brand collaborations and licensing: Leveraging the founder’s name and media presence, the company could further partner with game companies, film/media, apparel brands, or other high-visibility partnerships to expand its reach.
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Global expansion: Custom culture is global. Expanding into international markets or offering remote design services could broaden the customer base.
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Maintaining craftsmanship and uniqueness: Despite scaling, the company’s value proposition remains its bespoke craftsmanship and storytelling. Staying true to its roots while adapting to new trends will be key to its future.
If Paul Jr. Designs continues to balance its custom bike heritage with the evolving demands of design and branding, the future outlook remains positive.
Conclusion
From its founding in 2010 by Paul Teutul Jr., Paul Jr. Designs has evolved from a custom motorcycle builder into a multifaceted design and branding business. The company remains active today, offering custom bikes, apparel, product design, and brand services. What makes it special is its roots in craftsmanship, the founder’s fame, and its ability to merge fabrication with brand storytelling. While it faces challenges from niche markets and shifting consumer preferences, its diversification and strong brand identity provide a foundation for future growth. For customers and collectors, the company continues to offer unique, high-end experiences, and with strategic expansion, its future looks promising.
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