I think your misunderstanding, its supposed to be an appreciation for bikes, but instead it shows three drama queens.
American hotrod was ok, it had a little bit of drama but they maintained a good focus on the cars, at least early in the series. I heard boyd codington died??
It was NEVER supposed to be about building bikes. It was supposed to be about the people that built the bikes, and the volatile relationship between Sr and Jr made it what it was. That's why they got the show in the first place.
If they wanted a show that just appreciated bikes and bike building, those dudes wouldn't have a show....they'd be over at someone like Billy Lane's filming.
Honestly....in the early days, all they did was take off-the-shelf frames and stuff, and then dress them up with fabbed accessories. (pretty much what they still do, esp. Sr.) Look at all their early bikes, that's all they are.
Neither Sr nor Jr has shown any sign that they have a clue about the engines or transmissions.
Neither is a master welder. (nobody on the show could pass real welding certifications, and that goes for people like Jesse James, too)
I liked some of their finished products, but really, that show was all about the drama, the bike assembly was secondary.