Let's be real here, the 52-year-old, Jesse James doesn't have the best reputation. He's been on the wrong end of lots of controversy over the years. In addition, his heartbreaking ending alongside Sandra Bullock put him on a lot of fans' bad list.

Since 1991, the star has gone through four marriages, his most recent divorce came in 2020 alongside Alexis DeJoria.

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Putting the controversy aside, love him or hate him, Jesse James has great skill when it comes to building motorcycles. His rise to fame took place exactly because of that. He opened West Coast Choppers way back in 1992.

Crazy to think that he started in his mom's garage. Nowadays, he's worth a couple of extra bucks, while still doing what he loves most.

Similar to his personal life, he hasn't exactly steered away from controversy when it comes to his work life, especially when it comes to the reality TV side.

Not only did he turn down a certain reality show, but he also threw some serious shade their way. As we'll come to realize, James doesn't shy away from his true opinion and for some, that has made the star very hard to work with. Let's take a look at his career, along with the controversy at work.

Genuine Love For Building Bikes

We can bash the guy for his persona, however, this is no denying his passion for building bikes. As he revealed alongside the Calgary Herald, he realized his love for the field as an eight-year-old, "I used to go out to Riverside and ride a minibike — I think I was eight years old. My chain came off out in the middle of nowhere once, and I got the chain back on the rear sprocket using a rock as I slowly turned the wheel; after that, I said, okay, I’m a mechanic."

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By grade seven, he was already customizing bikes, his first was a bicycle. Even at that point, he was turning a ridiculous profit, "My dad was an antique dealer, trading mostly American oak furniture. But he had a contract with TGI Friday’s, and he’d travel around buying antiques for display in the restaurant chain. I bought a 1930s straight-bar Schwinn bicycle, and did a lot of work to it with paint and chrome. I had about $100 into it, and I took it to an antique show with my dad and sold it for $900."

James would further admit, things really haven't changed too much, "If you think about it, I’m still doing the same thing. I take a stack of $300 steel and turn it into a $100,000 product."

There really is no questioning his skill, instead, it might be his ego that gets in the way at times.

James Has A Questionable Reputation

According to the rumor mill, James isn't the easiest the work with. Heck, Sylvester Stallone requested that the entrepreneur create him a bike, though ultimately James refused given that he didn't want to create a yellow bike...

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James hasn't been too keen on those in his field either.

He ripped into Paul Teutul in the past, calling him a "cake decorator." He threw more shade making mention that his team wouldn't even know how to open his machines... ouch.

With that said, it shouldn't come as a surprise that James turned down an offer from 'American Chopper'.

Saying No To 'American Chopper'

Alongside EW, James admitted he was first contacted to star in 'American Choppers'. He didn't mix his words when explaining why he turned down the gig. According to the reality TV star, the concept was a laughable one.

"I was offered that show first,” James says. “And I turned it down. Because bike building is what I’m supposed to be doing and it’s from my heart and soul."

"I don’t just bedazzle a bunch of s–t for TV … [my bikes] are outlaw-looking and dangerous … I’ve never needed six guys to tell me my bike is cool.”

Teutul, the man behind the show would comment on James, stating he'd never want him on the show, given his poor attitude.

"I would not have invited [James], because he’s a jerk. The way he’s coming off, it’s like he’s doing us a favor. If he gets a show, it’s great. I hope he does. He hasn’t been doing anything, and now all of the sudden he’s back. My question is, Why’s he back?”

Clearly, there is no love between the two.

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