Motorcycle Mania III (2004 TV Movie) User Reviews

Good Look Into His Life

[Maniax · 7/10 · 7 April 2005]

I just saw this last night on the Discovery Channel. It was a good look at the man that is pretty much responsible for the new "Car Mod" genre on television.

It was a good look at a year in the life of Jesse James, as he dealt with personal issues (marriage to and divorce from Janine Lindemulder) and building the last chopper that he was going to build for himself.

You almost have to feel bad for him at times, then you really see why he's considered the Leader of the Maverick Builders as he takes a ride into Mexico with friend Rob Ritchie...aka Kid Rock.

If you have any interests in choppers or in Monster Garage, this is a good documentary to see.

Another middle of the road offering from Hugh King

[wtbe7560 · 5/10 · 7 April 2005]

Hugh King presents the third installment of his Motorcycle Mania series, which focuses on motorcycle builder Jesse James and the ins and outs of running his business, West Coast Choppers. In this third episode, King chooses to focus more on the personal life of James and the turns his life has taken since he exploded on the scene as an international celebrity.

We follow James on a year+ long journey as he builds what he says will be his last chopper, a bike made mostly from hand shaped copper. In between the bits on the bike build we also follow James as he falls in love with, marries, gets beaten up by, and divorces his girlfriend Janine. We get to see more of James as a person, to see all the pitfalls his fame has brought him, and we get to see how he handles the latest crisis in his life.

If you're a huge motorcycle fan, then the pickings are slim here. It is interesting to see how James handcrafts the gas tank, fenders, and oil tank for his bike out of copper sheets. The finished bike itself is then ridden with friend Kid Rock on a tour of Mexico as both James and Rock attempt to escape, even for a few weeks, the rigors of fame by traveling somewhere where they are hardly recognized.

An interesting view of the inner workings of Jesse James, and fans of the first two Motorcycle Manias will enjoy it, but for those of you just looking for "Biker Buildoff" type action will be disappointed.