Plans are underway to give a “fancy” makeover to our original showroom in Long Beach. We’ve been working on the shop in the 718 building recently, moving the bike assembly back where it used to be. So when you stop by you can look in the gate and see what we’re working on. And later this year, we’re overhauling the showroom too. We’ll be rotating our recent bike builds out for people to see, enlarging the store, and basically giving the whole building a little love. We’ll give you a heads up when it is finished…might even have a little shop warming party. Just don’t bring us any toaster ovens or blenders.

Big Chris test driving a bike ordered by one of the scrubbing dudes on Celebrity Apprentice this week. Obligatory Legal Lines: Do not try this at home. This was photographed on a closed course with a professional rider. Always wear correct safety gear when riding a motorcycle, or a pony, or any other moving transportation device. Do not exceed weight or suggested size limitations that might tax the vehicle’s braking system causing the rider to need to drag their feet in order to stop. And above all, do not have fun. Not a drop.

Ran across this detail shot when we were looking for something. No big story here. Just liked the shot.

Looking for some great boots? Here’s a pair you outta check out. The Jesse James Work Boot. They’re the first pair of boots in our workwear line of clothing. They’re full on real deal working boots, but also look pretty damn good for riding or kickin’ around. They’re available at select Walmart’s around the country, and also online at Walmart.com. And keep an eye out on our workwear site, we’re going to be announcing our summer Working Man’s Tour 2009 soon. Yup, we’re hitting the road again to go to county fairs across America to show off our workwear, and shake some hands, and kiss some babies.

The shots of the boots were done by Kevin Necessary, one of the shooters that has worked with us more than a few times over the years. He shot the silver catalog we did (die hard WCC fans will know what we’re talking about). Check out his site to see more rad motorsports shots. He drives in the Baja 500 and 1,000 too. So he gets bonus points in our book.

In case you didn’t catch it, Jesse got to broaden his skill set this week by learning how to clean toilets, lug other people’s stuff around, and politely deal with unruly demands of the people he’s serving…skills that the rest of the staff here at West Coast Choppers have already mastered. But that’s commentary. So, the men’s and women’s groups were tasked with staffing the Lowes Regency Hotel in New York. All the candidates were outfitted in hotel uniforms, and it’s probably the only time you’ll see him in something other than a tshirt with burn holes. It was the most dramatic episode so far, and you can see it again in living color at the NBC website…plus get the behind the scenes scoop on how it felt to wait on cranky ass guests.

So, here’s Fran Kuhn. Fran shot the very first WCC catalog…back when we were all in the 718 building, Cisco was around and had teeth, and Jesse still had some bare spots on his arms. So he’s been one of our BFFs for a long, long time. He stopped by a couple weeks ago to take some B+W shots on film. On what? Yep, film. Didn’t want to shoot any bikes…just the old school machinery that helps build the bikes. Check out his shots, and if you check out his website, you’ll get to see a rare shot of Mr. James with his summer cut.

Well, that’s our brief intro of Fran. Here’s what he had to say about that shoot: “After enduring twelve years of Catholic school, I think Jesse’s place is the only shop where I feel compelled to genuflect, light a candle and dab my forehead with holy water. Maybe drop a few coins in the alms box on the way out. Shoot digital in there? Hell no. That’s gotta be a sin, right? I’d be excommunicated or something. So–film it is. Anyone remember Tri-X?”