I Watch the show every week when a I was a kid I tell my friends about the show they never saw or remember the show,and watching that’s how I started to ride motorcycles first bike was a Honda 50cc,and my father surprise me with a Yamaha 175cc 1973,keep bike for long time have some friends who ride HD at the time now I am 66 years old still riding motorcycles currently ride a Indian motorcycle.
Me too Gonzalo this show was the best thing too happened to me as a kid shortly after watching it I got a brand new OSSA 250 trials bike life was never better than that time anyway this was my favorite show ever
I have the same experience as you. Started out with a 50 cc Honda. I also watched the show every week when I could. I quit riding in 1991. Did start riding again in 2022. Didn’t realize how much fun I was missing. I’m having fun riding again. I did enjoy watching that TV show as a kid. It would be fun to watch the reruns if available.😅
Sorry, I don't know where any Bronson bikes are. I did see one at the same museum as you did, but closer to '79 or '80. The placard next to the bike claimed it to be built by Ventura Harley-Davidson. Don't know if it was in the show or just a reproduction.The Show TCB was a huge influence on me and the reason I loved Harleys at a young age. In 2010 I was in Jackson Hole, Wy. As I pulled into a gas station, on my Harley, five Bronson bikes appeared. They were there for a reunion of TCB filming in the area. I couldn't believe my eyes! They were all good guys and we talked Bronson for 15 minutes or so, before I had to leave. Thanks for the video.
I lost the primary drain bolt on my’75 Spportster during a run. Whittled down a stick for a temporary fix, and used a nice rock to tap it in place. The rock went into my tool pouch and I later used a black marker to write’Bronson’ on it. Nobody knew the significance of my doing that.
Great information and well done. I enjoyed this very much. I have been a fan of Then Came Bronson since watching every episode during the original airing.
Wow you deserve a lot of credit getting all these details of the bikes, NICE JOB! I always liked this show but had no clue about the bike Bronson rode. All the clips and photos tell the story about the bikes and how they filmed the show. You did your homework and created a gem for all the fans of this show.
I recall the Bronson bike from the Cars of the Stars and Planes of Fame museum. The aircraft portion of that museum split off and is now based at Chino airport. Perhaps contacting them might provide some means of tracking where some of the auto side of things went. One of the Bronson bikes was destroyed while making the episode titled “The Forest Primeval” iI was employed at Harley-Davidson of Fullerton, which handled the West coast test fleet bikes for HD Motor Co. The tumble down the slope in that episode really wadded up that Sportster. I was given the job of salvaging the useable parts off of that bike and believe me, there were very few.
Great story and thank you for the information and for watching my video. If you have any ideas on how I can track down an original Bronson bike ,please let me know. Thanks!!!
I bought my first bike a 1974 XLCH from Fullerton HD, then a year later traded it for a 1973 SuperGlide, I remember the head Mechanic was Gordon, a great guy. I live in Hawaii now and still ride, a 2003 Dyna
@@JohnSmith-de2mz I have a 2003 883R, one of the few bikes from that year that doesn't have the 2003 100th year anniversary paint job and emblems everything else has, maybe even the only model from that year that didn't have them, it has the paint job that looks like the factory flat track racing bikes, it still has a few 100 year nods on it, like the special left side engine case with the raised area for the small 100th anniversary badge and the handlebar riser clamp with the 100th anniversary logo on it. Before it I had the same model 2002 which was the first year for the R, the first time I saw a picture of that model in a magazine before they released them I had the hots for one as I'm a long time fan of flat track racing, I bought it 2nd hand but it was virtually new only being 6 months old and only having 1,200 miles in it, however in 08 I had to sell it to get the money together to move up to Ohio from Pa, after a few years of getting my finances together I started looking for one to replace it and found an ad for the 03 I bought, at 11 years old at the time and with only 8,434 miles on it I jumped on the opportunity, it was in a community half way between where I was living in Ohio and my hometown in Pa so buying it was convenient, the woman who was selling it was doing it on behalf of her elderly father who lived in NY state and according to her had barely ridden it before putting it away after the first summer he had it, after completing the transaction I was at the end of her driveway leaving her home and saw the odometer was scrolled onto one of the trip meters showing 834.4 miles, so I scrolled it to the odometer, it displayed 834, I couldn't believe it, the thing was 11 years old and only had 834 miles on it, apparently when she put it up for sale and turned on the key to look at the mileage she didn't understand about the trip meters and she thought she was looking at an odometer that showed 8,344 miles, the trip meters had never even been reset, neither one, they both showed the same mileage as the odometer, when I got home to where I lived in Ohio it still had less than 900 miles on it, I told my girlfriend "11 years old with less than 900 miles I got a half a mind to throw a cover over this thing for another 9 years and just leave it sit, at 20 years old with less than 900 miles it'll be worth some money especially being an unusual model they only made for 2 years and didn't make many at that", but then I figured by then I'd be too old to worry about that anyway and the next day took the motor off of it and went to work pumping it up. But man, the first time I resent one of the trip meters so I could keep track of my break in miles that was a hard thing to do, knowing that was the last moment in its life that all 3 displays would read the same.
I was in 8th grade. Had a 20" stingray style bike, banana seat, V bars. Bought a new 4hp tecumseh engine from Sears and a centrifugal belt clutch. Got a 15" pulley from washing machine, had a guy weld it to the back wheel. Stripped pedal cranks,etc. Bolted engine to frame, rigged a kill switch, twist grip throttle. Only a front hand brake. I was 12/13 years old,I wieghed maybe 100lbs. Thing hit 50mph. Its a miracle I'm still here. Mom was all grey shortly after.
Thanks for posting this, I did not see the movie but did watch the series, back when I was really interested in m/cycles. It was a teenager with a dream. Now I'm living it. I'm 67 y/o with five bikes living here:). We have three Indians here now, a Honda 650 trainer bike, my son and my wife trained on, and my wife stepped up to a Can Am Spyder RT. I'm first officer of a SCRC Chapter. I have photos of me on my dad's HD. In diapers. I had all kinds of metric bikes, some HDs and now an Indian rider. My son bought a 1999 Gilroy era Indian Chief. We got it all fixed up, he has ridden it all over three states. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Now he went to Thunder Beach in PCB, Fl and came back with a 2022 Indian Springfield after test riding a bunch of bikes. LOL He told me he was going to go back over to the Indian dealer, yep and came back with the Springfield. Mine is a 2015 Roadmaster. May God Bless all reading this far! Keep the shiny side up!
Thanks! The movie is available on DVD from Warner Brothers Entertainment, you can get it on Amazon for less than $20. You can also get the 26 episodes on DVD by going to www.jimbronson.com and click on the STORE tab. Thanks for your story and thanks for watching!
Yes. Same here. I visited the Cars of stars & Planes of fame" Museum in Buena park California. (They are no longer there) in 1972 or 73. There was a Bike displayed that said on the bottom "Bronson's Bike" Being a fanatic of the show, and going on to own two Harley's including a Red Sportster, I couldn't resist. I had to sit on Bronson's bike..what ta thrill !.. LOL
I worked for Bud Ekins at his Triumph dealership in the early '70s. There was another camera bike sidecar outfit built from a 500 Triumph with a Harley-Davidson tractor-style solo seat mounted backwards over the front wheel. I think it was used in the Bronson show and I rode it at Saddleback Park during the filming of 'The Thing With Two Heads' movie.
One of my favorite shows growing up. Would dream of riding cross country but never did. I did however buy a Triumph Bonneville and had a great time riding.
i wore a watch cap for years, rode my first sporter in the snow....raise up a child in the way he should go......but alas, i also read Hunter Thompson... the two ideas came together for a while.... crazy times to grow up.... i survived
Just WOW.. I was 9 years old & My Dad Had A BRAND NEW Electra Glide.. But All I Wanted .. at 9 yrs WAS A 69 900 Sportster.. still do fer that matter.. Micheal Parks Was Truly A Class Act..God I Miss Those Days…I’ve had several H-Ds .. the 69 900 is elusive. At best
i bought a 1969 ch in the mid 90s. same as the xlh but just a magneto and no battery. the only bike i liked better was a 1940 indian scout that i bought in 1970.
I have the uncut pilot movie on DVD. Awesome series . Grew up on it. That and Evel Knievel were a huge influence . 68 years old and 52 motorcycles later Im still riding.
I only saw a few episodes of Then Came Bronson. Like most commentators, I longed for the day I’d have my own motorcycle. My parents were not fans of them and wouldn’t let me have one. 62 now and have had one since 1986. I still ride my 1986 FXWG. I enjoy getting all your takes on the episodes I’ve never seen. Thanks!
@whitehurstcomic yep that's what I have too but I just put a 107ci S&S engine in it. Should be a blast. I bought one in 86 but I put 100,000 on it in 4 years and sold it. I love those bikes. Had a 85 superglide too and a 85 softail
Great video! Lots of info I didn't know before. Whenever someone on a big touring bike comments about my Evo Sportster "You ride that thing cross-country?!" I just look at them dead-pan and say "Bronson rode his Sportster all over the place." Usually get a smile out of that.
This video and the show are great. Got a mini trail 50 when show was new. Then Suzuki 90, Honda CB175, Honda cl350, Kaw 900Z1, Triumph 750, Sportster 1200 and now at 68 I've been riding Yam FZ1 and Suz GSR-S750. Thanks to Then Came Bronson and motorcycle magazines and On Any Sunday. Life is good.
I've watched that show when I could. Love to see them on reruns. Also, I was riding a 1969 BSA 650 Lightning. That bike would fly. Thanks for the memories.
This brings back a lot of memories for me ! I was a kid when this was on TV and watched it every week. One think I will not forget is when the credits roll at the beginning he would ride across that tall bridge. I have road Bikes my entire adult life except for the last few years my Mother was very ill and required constant care . She past away 14 months ago and I am wanting to get another Bike. Thanks for the video.
@buickman4878 Thanks for your reply. I really enjoyed your video. I am a fan of old TV shows such as this . I love to see highway seen to look at the cars of the day. Again Thanks for your kind Reply. Lots of luck from Tennessee.
I used to watch this show religiously when I was in the Navy in the late 60's. Part of what got me hooked on bikes. Over the years had some Japanese bikes and lots of Harleys including 2 Sportsters. Still riding at 74 years although now on 3 wheels. Very informative video. Anyone know that music at the end?
At the end of my video or at the end of each episode of the TV show? My music is free on my editing software. Long Lonesome Highway was written by James Hendricks and sung by Michael Parks.
I watched your entire series over the weekend and have just a couple of weekly episodes left to watch. My personal favorite of the weekly shows is the Keenan Wynn vintage bike episode. My favorite of your series is your recent build of the Bronson bike from the 76 blue Sportster. Your attention to detail is superb and is what makes the difference. Such as the various heights of the front fender and passenger foot pegs. You're lucky to know some guys that can fabricate also. The fat rear wheel I think looks fine and doesn't detract from the look. So what if it's left side shift. The rest of the bike is so well done it doesn't matter. The only time I ever drove a right side shift I almost wrecked. Your background knowledge of the series and movie is fantastic. Thank you for posting this series. It made my weekend much more enjoyable between the raking of all the leaves. I'd still like to know more about the background music you used in your videos.
@@B25gunship Thank you Harry for watching and all the kind words. I did try to be as accurate and factual as possible. I use an editing software called Filmora by Wondrshare. and they have a list of free music you can choose from for back ground. The one I use is called The Wanderer. Maybe you can google all of that and learn more. By the way we both have the same last name, spelled correctly!
I saw the series and was bummed when it ended. Always thought Parks would have been a bigger star. Your bike details are over the top. Thanks for remembering.
HD 900 cc sportster made the triumph 650 cc look like a little peashooter. Good thinking there mr. Bud Ekins for choosing the h. d. 900 over the 650 trumpet!👍
Great info! Always wanted to know the background on the motorcycle. I bought the 'Then Came Bronson' vinyl album way back when it first came out after becoming a fan of the show.
Thank you for an excellent post ! I was living overseas as a kid so I never got to see the series as it wasn’t carried by AFN ( Armed Forces Network - Canal Zone ). I did talk my Mom into a subscription to Cycle Magazine when I was in the 6th Grade, 1973-74
1968 I lived a block from Bud Ekins' Triumph shop in Sherman Oaks, CA. One of his mechanics was later to become off road legend Bobby Ferro. If I recall they charged me like 15 bucks to tune up my '67 Daytona 500 and they had the bike running like a top.
Never missed an episode. They called me Bronson in jr high '69-71. 1976 bought a new XLCH orange as I thought that was the color of his bike based on the album cover. The bike a 1000cc AMF electric start only, while fun to ride around town was a piece of junk. '77 found myself at the Carlsbad motocross race, they announced Michael Parks was was at the starting line with a flag to start the race, although I didn't spot him. I was on my sportster that day. I enjoyed this immensely, thank you so much. By the way those smaller cc bikes never fooled me for a second😅. Interestingly enough I test drove a Bonneville 750 twin before my purchase, that was the only bike Triumph made at the time. There's one just like it in the "Riders on the storm" Doors music video.Whew!
Very informative. Almost everything one could hope to know in just over 9 minutes. I'm a big fan of the pilot and the series (more so than bikes), so this was an unexpected pleasure. All who've seen "TCB" producer and "Star Trek" TOS associate producer Robert Justman reminisce informatively on the "Star Trek" TOS Blu-ray and DVD bonus tracks and specific series-related books realizes how sorry we are that no one at MGM or Warner Archive thought to get his "TCB" accounts on video for a bonus track on their release of the pilot / movie. Surely long-sought, precious information would reach a vast, appreciative audience. I'm 'preaching to the choir here,' but what would it take for Warner Archive to restore and release the 26 episodes, to a ready market? Thank you, Buick Man.
Never missed an episode,years later bought a 75 sportster ,my friends had a 74 & a 76 ,but traded mine in long time ago but friends still have theirs sitting in the garage,now I have busa & 14r sportbikes now , surprising why they dont replay these since they do all the other old shows
I liked the show and the bike I even bought an old '69 XLCH later I rode a customized '63 Triumph Bonneville up the Coast Highway then headed east a coupla thousand miles home. On the way I learned why the old Limey riders called the guy who ran Lucas Electric "The Master of Darkness".
I watched that tv show every week. In one episode, Bronson got to sight seeing in the Rockies. It was late in the year, the tourists were all gone, with winter coming on fast. Bronson pretty much had the mountains to him self, slthough he had spoken to a Ranger at the Park gate coming in. He got to looking one way while the mountain and the road went another. So that didn't go well, or leave a trace, or end in sight. Then a blizzard moved in and a Park Ranger braved the elements and appearances to help save the day. Pretty big drama, and the only episode I remember. The movie, I remember much better. Mad magazine did a parody bit on the series in one of their issues. Good stuff.
Do you have any information about why the sissy bar was shortened from the long one that is first seen in the movie? The second seen that we see the sporster in the sissy bar is about one third the original higth.
I asked Birney Jarvis if he knew and he didn't. I have two theories. 1. If you recall Nick/Martin Sheen tells Jim to "buy the bike back Jim" which leads you to believe that Bronson owned the bike first, sold it to Nick and then bought it back. Nick put the tall sissy bar on, Bronson didn't like it and changed it when he bought it from Nicks widow. B. Choppers with tall sissy bars were popular back then and someone thought it looked cool. Bud Ekins may have decided that he couldn't do any of the stunts he needed to do and changed it. No one knows for sure.
I don't think I ever watched the show but I do recall building the model shown. I built a lot of model motorcycles from kits when I was in my early teens. The one I liked best was a Moto Guzzi V8 racing bike.
Too cool! Thanks. Triumph blew it big time. Imagine how many bikes that show would've sold for them....... (Still riding my 70 Bonnie and Daytona regularly.)
1971 my mom bought Dad a Yellow Harley-Davidson Rapido 125 for fathers day. Dad rode a 1969 Electric Glide from Santa Ana to El Toro Marine base. Til 73 then to Edison Plant in LA daily. First Harley Santa Harley dealer sold with the Brand New "FM STEREO" Just released for civilian use. Plus it had a 8-track tape player built into it on the handlebars and a cigarette lighter. The Rapido was different. But at least he could ride with brother and I at Saddleback or Escape Country
My favorite episode was called something like 'The Old Motorcycle Fiasco." It co-starred Keenan Wynn who rode a Rudge in the espisode. Watching it to day I find it somewhat melancholy though.
the Cobra seats were made in Tujunga Ca by Leo's later to become Bar Enterprises. both companies are gone now. Bud was a friend of Leo and the seats were model S2 and special made thick ones made first for Parks as he had Hemorrhoids. the series made my fathers company take off. Got to sit on a few of those bikes, for a 14 year old that was it have had street bikes the past 56 years.
Great Job.. I know when we were at Buddy Stubbs Harley for the 45th anniversary, we asked him how many bikes they had on set. I don't remember what he said..?? But I do remember that he said it was hard to know for sure, because he would have some in his shop to keep repaired, and there would be some out on location. He told us that the film crew had their own mechanics but he let them use his shop, while they were filming in Arizona ... Here's a little bit of the video that Mike took. ua-cam.com/video/lPR8LJkdUN8/v-deo.html
Wow I was wrong for many years . I always was led to believe there was 8 + bikes ,was never sure about that cz I guess i assumed it was a rapido or a baja . I remember a article in a magazine about Michael Parks donating his bike from the show to a school to auction off it wasn't red anymore it had a early 70's custom paint job on it . Never heard about that bike again.
That bike was a fund raiser for Michael Parks daughters school in California. It was black and not one of the bikes used in the TV show. A women in Pennsylvania won that bike and I believe she still has it in the family. Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 thank you looking forward to watching all your videos, it was a great time we had easy rider , then came Bronson and a year or so later on any Sunday how could we not be motorcycle enthusiasts.
Our family watched Bronson every week. HaHa, We used to get so mad when he switched from riding a Sportster to a Sprint. We felt like they were trying to fool us.
I’d been traveling by motorcycle for a couple of years before the TV show. I started packing my bedroll on the bars instead of behind me because of the show.
Lot's of folks credit 'Easy Rider' for getting into Harley's For me it was 'Then Came Bronson' Funny story. about 20 years ago I was on my chopped shovelhead pulling out onto the street. A neighbor going the other way stopped and rolled down his window. He said "where are you going?' I said 'I don't know just getting some air' or something to that effect. I remember him saying "man I wish I was you' LOL
@@buickman4878 In a way? bikes may shape our thinking.. or maybe our thinking makes us ride motorcycles? Chicken/ egg? At 75 I just this month gave my last shovelhead to my son. it is the last of the kickstart bikes Bronson made me want to kickstart... It is a 91 inch beast and he lives next door. I can hear that thing fire up now all the time and it sounds like no other bike! certainly not like the geezer glides of today that sound loud but without a soul if that makes sense. Thanks for putting this channel on. Oh... my son was into sportsters and still has a Buel.. that thing is crazy.
Regarding the wearing of a helmet.... As a 13 year old TCB fan, I always knew when Bronson was going to crash the bike. If he was wearing a helmet, wreck coming soon. Knit hat, no wreck. LOL
Sorry, Bronson never played the guitar in a hippie coffeehouse. But he did sing along with and partnered up with a guy that played the guitar for a contest in a bar That episode number 16 called A Pickin' An A Singin" Thanks for watching!
Yes he had 4 or 5 albums but the one called Long lonesome Highway was the best, in my opinion. I see them on Ebay from time to time. I have three of them! Thanks for watching!
Michael Parks raffled off his Harley for a, if I remember rightly, Catholic school charity. I bought a ticket and won an album of his. It's a crying shame that "Then Came Bronson" lacked good writing--the show had endless potential.
That bike was not one of the bikes from the TV show it was a special bike Harley built for Parks. I agree, the show did have a lot of potential. Thank you for watching!
Oh well, I started riding in 1969, so it was a Kawa 100.... That Sportster was the perfect bike for an American hero. (note I own Harley, Triumph and Urals)
I didn't see it but I was told that a Bronson bike was won in a raffle by someone in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and they rode it with pride during a parade.
It wasn't a "Bronson" bike it was a custom black Sportster built for Michael Parks by Harley Davidson and then he donated it to be raffled off for his daughters school. And yes someone in Pennsylvania still owns it.
In 1969 I had a NEW Harley XLH electric start motorcycle,,,! I played like I was Bronson,,,! I am 78 yrs old now,,,,and I have a new Harley "Fat Bob" bike,,,,!
I Watch the show every week when a I was a kid I tell my friends about the show they never saw or remember the show,and watching that’s how I started to ride motorcycles first bike was a Honda 50cc,and my father surprise me with a Yamaha 175cc 1973,keep bike for long time have some friends who ride HD at the time now I am 66 years old still riding motorcycles currently ride a Indian motorcycle.
That's a great story! Good for you! Thanks for watching!
That's awesome!! Thanks for watching!
I watched every show too
Me too Gonzalo this show was the best thing too happened to me as a kid shortly after watching it I got a brand new OSSA 250 trials bike life was never better than that time anyway this was my favorite show ever
I have the same experience as you. Started out with a 50 cc Honda. I also watched the show every week when I could. I quit riding in 1991. Did start riding again in 2022. Didn’t realize how much fun I was missing. I’m having fun riding again. I did enjoy watching that TV show as a kid. It would be fun to watch the reruns if available.😅
I loved this show back in the day. Was the reason I got interested on motorcycles.
Yep me too! Thanks for watching!
I was riding a 1967 BSA 650 chopper in Orlando FL in '69 when this hit the TV.
That's cool! Thanks for watching!
That's cool! Thanks for watching!
i was on trophy trail 500 chopper !!
This show is why I have ridden bikes my whole life. I watched this show every time it came on. I am 68 now and have 10 bikes. I still ride today.
I'm 68 also and have three bikes. Thanks for watching!
Sorry, I don't know where any Bronson bikes are. I did see one at the same museum as you did, but closer to '79 or '80. The placard next to the bike claimed it to be built by Ventura Harley-Davidson. Don't know if it was in the show or just a reproduction.The Show TCB was a huge influence on me and the reason I loved Harleys at a young age. In 2010 I was in Jackson Hole, Wy. As I pulled into a gas station, on my Harley, five Bronson bikes appeared. They were there for a reunion of TCB filming in the area. I couldn't believe my eyes! They were all good guys and we talked Bronson for 15 minutes or so, before I had to leave. Thanks for the video.
If you were in Jackson Hole with the Bronson guys, I was there too! Thanks Rob for watching!
🏆Best Comment Award 🏆
Thank you for this posting
You bet! Thanks for watching!
"You don't work, you don't eat" I will always remember that line. Was a very important show for a young man then.
Great line! Thanks for watching!
Enjoying teh series, I hope you enlighten us on the Bronson Rock repair techniques
Keep watching Martin, I do discuss the rock. Thanks for watching!
I lost the primary drain bolt on my’75 Spportster during a run. Whittled down a stick for a temporary fix, and used a nice rock to tap it in place. The rock went into my tool pouch and I later used a black marker to write’Bronson’ on it. Nobody knew the significance of my doing that.
Great information and well done. I enjoyed this very much. I have been a fan of Then Came Bronson since watching every episode during the original airing.
Thank you Dwayne! Me too!
Wow you deserve a lot of credit getting all these details of the bikes, NICE JOB! I always liked this show but had no clue about the bike Bronson rode. All the clips and photos tell the story about the bikes and how they filmed the show. You did your homework and created a gem for all the fans of this show.
Thank you so much for watching!!
Thank you so much! and thanks for watching!
Awesome… I watched that show every week when I was a kid…. I’d roll up a quilt and put it on the handlebars of my mini bike…thanks buddy…
That's cool! Thanks for watching!
Loved the TV series. Thanks for keeping the memories alive!
You bet! Thanks for watching!
I recall the Bronson bike from the Cars of the Stars and Planes of Fame museum. The aircraft portion of that museum split off and is now based at Chino airport. Perhaps contacting them might provide some means of tracking where some of the auto side of things went. One of the Bronson bikes was destroyed while making the episode titled “The Forest Primeval” iI was employed at Harley-Davidson of Fullerton, which handled the West coast test fleet bikes for HD Motor Co. The tumble down the slope in that episode really wadded up that Sportster. I was given the job of salvaging the useable parts off of that bike and believe me, there were very few.
Great story and thank you for the information and for watching my video. If you have any ideas on how I can track down an original Bronson bike ,please let me know.
Thanks!!!
I bought my first bike a 1974 XLCH from Fullerton HD, then a year later traded it for a 1973 SuperGlide, I remember the head Mechanic was Gordon, a great guy. I live in Hawaii now and still ride, a 2003 Dyna
I remember that episode very well
@@JohnSmith-de2mz
I have a 2003 883R, one of the few bikes from that year that doesn't have the 2003 100th year anniversary paint job and emblems everything else has, maybe even the only model from that year that didn't have them, it has the paint job that looks like the factory flat track racing bikes, it still has a few 100 year nods on it, like the special left side engine case with the raised area for the small 100th anniversary badge and the handlebar riser clamp with the 100th anniversary logo on it.
Before it I had the same model 2002 which was the first year for the R, the first time I saw a picture of that model in a magazine before they released them I had the hots for one as I'm a long time fan of flat track racing, I bought it 2nd hand but it was virtually new only being 6 months old and only having 1,200 miles in it, however in 08 I had to sell it to get the money together to move up to Ohio from Pa, after a few years of getting my finances together I started looking for one to replace it and found an ad for the 03 I bought, at 11 years old at the time and with only 8,434 miles on it I jumped on the opportunity, it was in a community half way between where I was living in Ohio and my hometown in Pa so buying it was convenient, the woman who was selling it was doing it on behalf of her elderly father who lived in NY state and according to her had barely ridden it before putting it away after the first summer he had it, after completing the transaction I was at the end of her driveway leaving her home and saw the odometer was scrolled onto one of the trip meters showing 834.4 miles, so I scrolled it to the odometer, it displayed 834, I couldn't believe it, the thing was 11 years old and only had 834 miles on it, apparently when she put it up for sale and turned on the key to look at the mileage she didn't understand about the trip meters and she thought she was looking at an odometer that showed 8,344 miles, the trip meters had never even been reset, neither one, they both showed the same mileage as the odometer, when I got home to where I lived in Ohio it still had less than 900 miles on it, I told my girlfriend "11 years old with less than 900 miles I got a half a mind to throw a cover over this thing for another 9 years and just leave it sit, at 20 years old with less than 900 miles it'll be worth some money especially being an unusual model they only made for 2 years and didn't make many at that", but then I figured by then I'd be too old to worry about that anyway and the next day took the motor off of it and went to work pumping it up.
But man, the first time I resent one of the trip meters so I could keep track of my break in miles that was a hard thing to do, knowing that was the last moment in its life that all 3 displays would read the same.
I was in 8th grade. Had a 20" stingray style bike, banana seat, V bars. Bought a new 4hp tecumseh engine from Sears and a centrifugal belt clutch. Got a 15" pulley from washing machine, had a guy weld it to the back wheel. Stripped pedal cranks,etc. Bolted engine to frame, rigged a kill switch, twist grip throttle. Only a front hand brake. I was 12/13 years old,I wieghed maybe 100lbs. Thing hit 50mph. Its a miracle I'm still here. Mom was all grey shortly after.
Wow! I'm surprised she let you build that bike! Thanks for watching!
Best show in its era
I agree! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting this, I did not see the movie but did watch the series, back when I was really interested in m/cycles. It was a teenager with a dream. Now I'm living it. I'm 67 y/o with five bikes living here:). We have three Indians here now, a Honda 650 trainer bike, my son and my wife trained on, and my wife stepped up to a Can Am Spyder RT. I'm first officer of a SCRC Chapter. I have photos of me on my dad's HD. In diapers. I had all kinds of metric bikes, some HDs and now an Indian rider. My son bought a 1999 Gilroy era Indian Chief. We got it all fixed up, he has ridden it all over three states. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Now he went to Thunder Beach in PCB, Fl and came back with a 2022 Indian Springfield after test riding a bunch of bikes. LOL He told me he was going to go back over to the Indian dealer, yep and came back with the Springfield. Mine is a 2015 Roadmaster. May God Bless all reading this far! Keep the shiny side up!
Thanks! The movie is available on DVD from Warner Brothers Entertainment, you can get it on Amazon for less than $20. You can also get the 26 episodes on DVD by going to www.jimbronson.com and click on the STORE tab. Thanks for your story and thanks for watching!
Thank you for helping me remember one of my favorite TV shows
Yes. Same here. I visited the Cars of stars & Planes of fame" Museum in Buena park California. (They are no longer there) in 1972 or 73. There was a Bike displayed that said on the bottom "Bronson's Bike" Being a fanatic of the show, and going on to own two Harley's including a Red Sportster, I couldn't resist. I had to sit on Bronson's bike..what ta thrill !.. LOL
I stepped over the velvet rope and looked at the speedometer/odometer, a little over 2000 miles on it.
I worked for Bud Ekins at his Triumph dealership in the early '70s. There was another camera bike sidecar outfit built from a 500 Triumph with a Harley-Davidson tractor-style solo seat mounted backwards over the front wheel. I think it was used in the Bronson show and I rode it at Saddleback Park during the filming of 'The Thing With Two Heads' movie.
That's very interesting! Do you happen to know where any of the original Bronson bikes might be or who I could contact? Thanks for watching!
One of my favorite shows growing up. Would dream of riding cross country but never did. I did however buy a Triumph Bonneville and had a great time riding.
Yep, me too! Thanks for watching!
God I loved that show!!!!! I was 13 yo at the time, and it seemed like forever until I got my first motorcycle 2 yrs later.
Cool, me too! Thanks for watching!
i wore a watch cap for years, rode my first sporter in the snow....raise up a child in the way he should go......but alas, i also read Hunter Thompson... the two ideas came together for a while.... crazy times to grow up.... i survived
Cool story! Thanks for watching!
Excellent show back in the day.
I agree! Thanks for watching!
Just WOW.. I was 9 years old & My Dad Had A BRAND NEW Electra Glide.. But All I Wanted .. at 9 yrs WAS A 69 900 Sportster.. still do fer that matter.. Micheal Parks Was Truly A Class Act..God I Miss Those Days…I’ve had several H-Ds .. the 69 900 is elusive. At best
I know exactly how you feel! Thanks for the comment!
i bought a 1969 ch in the mid 90s. same as the xlh but just a magneto and no battery. the only bike i liked better was a 1940 indian scout that i bought in 1970.
Watched the show with my dad every week. Great memories.!😉
Yes so did I. Thanks for watching!
I have the uncut pilot movie on DVD.
Awesome series .
Grew up on it.
That and Evel Knievel were a huge influence .
68 years old and 52 motorcycles later Im still riding.
Me too! I wanted to jump cars like Evel. Thanks for watching!
I only saw a few episodes of Then Came Bronson. Like most commentators, I longed for the day I’d have my own motorcycle. My parents were not fans of them and wouldn’t let me have one. 62 now and have had one since 1986. I still ride my 1986 FXWG.
I enjoy getting all your takes on the episodes I’ve never seen. Thanks!
Thanks for your comments! And thanks for watching!
I have an 85 . It's a 4 speed evo. Is yours a 5 speed??
@ No, 4 speed Evo with a kick and electric starter.
@whitehurstcomic yep that's what I have too but I just put a 107ci S&S engine in it. Should be a blast. I bought one in 86 but I put 100,000 on it in 4 years and sold it. I love those bikes. Had a 85 superglide too and a 85 softail
Great video! Lots of info I didn't know before. Whenever someone on a big touring bike comments about my Evo Sportster "You ride that thing cross-country?!" I just look at them dead-pan and say "Bronson rode his Sportster all over the place." Usually get a smile out of that.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
we grew up with him we never forget
Yep
Yeah got that show here in Ireland, never missed a episode, definitely contributed to my love of Harley's, would love to build a replica.😊
I missed Star Treks for misbehavior but I never missed, "Then Came Bronson," thank you!
You behaved well on Wednesdays! Thanks for watching!
Funny! Thanks for watching!
This video and the show are great. Got a mini trail 50 when show was new. Then Suzuki 90, Honda CB175, Honda cl350, Kaw 900Z1, Triumph 750, Sportster 1200 and now at 68 I've been riding Yam FZ1 and Suz GSR-S750. Thanks to Then Came Bronson and motorcycle magazines and On Any Sunday. Life is good.
I'm 68 too and had the same experiences. Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 Lot's of fun!
Im glad you are posting these videos. It would be so difficult for anyone to do this. It would be a book I would buy.
Thanks Ernie. I would buy a book as well!
I've watched that show when I could. Love to see them on reruns. Also, I was riding a 1969 BSA 650 Lightning. That bike would fly. Thanks for the memories.
Cool! Thanks for watching!
I thought i had seen every motorcycle related shows/movies but ive not seen or heard of this before. Thanks for putting this on here.
You must be young! Thanks for watching!
This brings back a lot of memories for me ! I was a kid when this was on TV and watched it every week.
One think I will not forget is when the credits roll at the beginning he would ride across that tall bridge.
I have road Bikes my entire adult life except for the last few years my Mother was very ill and required constant care . She past away 14 months ago and I am wanting to get another Bike.
Thanks for the video.
Sorry to hear of your loss. Thanks for watching!
@buickman4878
Thanks for your reply. I really enjoyed your video. I am a fan of old TV shows such as this . I love to see highway seen to look at the cars of the day.
Again Thanks for your kind Reply.
Lots of luck from Tennessee.
As comprehensive a video I've ever seen on any subject, let alone my favorite subject. Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching!
@@buickman4878 My pleasure.
I watched the show every week it was my favorite Buick Man thank you bro 💪🔥🐐you’re a solid badass for this consideration 🙏
Thanks! I have 40 total videos...just for you!
I used to watch this show religiously when I was in the Navy in the late 60's. Part of what got me hooked on bikes. Over the years had some Japanese bikes and lots of Harleys including 2 Sportsters. Still riding at 74 years although now on 3 wheels. Very informative video. Anyone know that music at the end?
At the end of my video or at the end of each episode of the TV show? My music is free on my editing software. Long Lonesome Highway was written by James Hendricks and sung by Michael Parks.
@@buickman4878 Thanks for response. At the end of video.
Thanks for watching!
I watched your entire series over the weekend and have just a couple of weekly episodes left to watch. My personal favorite of the weekly shows is the Keenan Wynn vintage bike episode. My favorite of your series is your recent build of the Bronson bike from the 76 blue Sportster. Your attention to detail is superb and is what makes the difference. Such as the various heights of the front fender and passenger foot pegs. You're lucky to know some guys that can fabricate also.
The fat rear wheel I think looks fine and doesn't detract from the look. So what if it's left side shift. The rest of the bike is so well done it doesn't matter. The only time I ever drove a right side shift I almost wrecked. Your background knowledge of the series and movie is fantastic. Thank you for posting this series. It made my weekend much more enjoyable between the raking of all the leaves. I'd still like to know more about the background music you used in your videos.
@@B25gunship Thank you Harry for watching and all the kind words. I did try to be as accurate and factual as possible. I use an editing software called Filmora by Wondrshare. and they have a list of free music you can choose from for back ground. The one I use is called The Wanderer. Maybe you can google all of that and learn more. By the way we both have the same last name, spelled correctly!
I saw the series and was bummed when it ended. Always thought Parks would have been a bigger star. Your bike details are over the top. Thanks for remembering.
HD 900 cc sportster made the triumph 650 cc look like a little peashooter. Good thinking there mr. Bud Ekins for choosing the h. d. 900 over the 650 trumpet!👍
Thanks for watching!
Great info! Always wanted to know the background on the motorcycle.
I bought the 'Then Came Bronson' vinyl album way back when it first came out after becoming a fan of the show.
Thanks for watching Gary!
Thank You For Sharing 🇺🇲
Thanks for watching SAM!
Thank you for an excellent post ! I was living overseas as a kid so I never got to see the series as it wasn’t carried by AFN ( Armed Forces Network - Canal Zone ). I did talk my Mom into a subscription to Cycle Magazine when I was in the 6th Grade, 1973-74
Thank you! You can order a set of 26 episodes on www.jimbronson.com click on the STORE tab to order. Thanks for watching!
I watched this show every week when I was a kid .
Remember it well, even ended up owning two Sportsters 69&72 . Thx for the memories 👍
Cool! Thanks for watching!
1968 I lived a block from Bud Ekins' Triumph shop in Sherman Oaks, CA. One of his mechanics was later to become off road legend Bobby Ferro. If I recall they charged me like 15 bucks to tune up my '67 Daytona 500 and they had the bike running like a top.
That is very cool! Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 Sure thing you did a really good piece of work there.
@@bill2953 Thanks!
Never missed an episode. They called me Bronson in jr high '69-71. 1976 bought a new XLCH orange as I thought that was the color of his bike based on the album cover. The bike a 1000cc AMF electric start only, while fun to ride around town was a piece of junk. '77 found myself at the Carlsbad motocross race, they announced Michael Parks was was at the starting line with a flag to start the race, although I didn't spot him. I was on my sportster that day. I enjoyed this immensely, thank you so much. By the way those smaller cc bikes never fooled me for a second😅. Interestingly enough I test drove a Bonneville 750 twin before my purchase, that was the only bike Triumph made at the time. There's one just like it in the "Riders on the storm" Doors music video.Whew!
Cool story! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the memories. I had the model.
You bet! I had the model too! Thanks for watching!
Brilliant thank you so much!, imagine finding a genuine Bronson bike!. G.
Thank you Gerard! I have imagined many times and have tried to find one.
Great info. Love that show. Thanks. Subscribed.
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Very informative. Almost everything one could hope to know in just over 9 minutes.
I'm a big fan of the pilot and the series (more so than bikes), so this was an unexpected pleasure.
All who've seen "TCB" producer and "Star Trek" TOS associate producer Robert Justman reminisce informatively on the "Star Trek" TOS Blu-ray and DVD bonus tracks and specific series-related books realizes how sorry we are that no one at MGM or Warner Archive thought to get his "TCB" accounts on video for a bonus track on their release of the pilot / movie. Surely long-sought, precious information would reach a vast, appreciative audience.
I'm 'preaching to the choir here,' but what would it take for Warner Archive to restore and release the 26 episodes, to a ready market?
Thank you, Buick Man.
Thanks!
Loved that show!
Never missed an episode,years later bought a 75 sportster ,my friends had a 74 & a 76 ,but traded mine in long time ago but friends still have theirs sitting in the garage,now I have busa & 14r sportbikes now , surprising why they dont replay these since they do all the other old shows
Interesting story. Thanks for watching!
I liked the show and the bike I even bought an old '69 XLCH later I rode a customized '63 Triumph Bonneville up the Coast Highway then headed east a coupla thousand miles home.
On the way I learned why the old Limey riders called the guy who ran Lucas Electric "The Master of Darkness".
Thanks for watching!
Lucas was "The Prince of Darkness".
There was a movie?
Yep! Thanks for watching!
I never seen the movie lol didn't know there was one on then came bronson
You can buy the theatrical release movie on Amazon for under $20. Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 ok thanks
I watched that tv show every week. In one episode, Bronson got to sight seeing in the Rockies. It was late in the year, the tourists were all gone, with winter coming on fast. Bronson pretty much had the mountains to him self, slthough he had spoken to a Ranger at the Park gate coming in. He got to looking one way while the mountain and the road went another.
So that didn't go well, or leave a trace, or end in sight. Then a blizzard moved in and a Park Ranger braved the elements and appearances to help save the day. Pretty big drama, and the only episode I remember. The movie, I remember much better. Mad magazine did a parody bit on the series in one of their issues. Good stuff.
Good memory! You can get all 26 episodes on DVD by going to www.jimbronson.com and click on the STORE button. Thanks for watching!
Not sure Harley would have such a tight hold on the bikes, since they gave all the Allman brothers bikes, but that was a few years later.
I've watched the video 2 times now and I realized something that it made me less stressed out. Knowing that I can’t go to wrong reproducing my bike
Don't worry, I have stressed out for the both of us trying to build as accurate replica as I could.
One of my favorite tv shows back in the day!
Me too! Thanks for watching!
It was a great show I never missed one. Micheal Parks even cut an album back then!
Me too! He actual has 4 or 5 albums around that time. Thanks for watching!
Do you have any information about why the sissy bar was shortened from the long one that is first seen in the movie? The second seen that we see the sporster in the sissy bar is about one third the original higth.
I asked Birney Jarvis if he knew and he didn't. I have two theories. 1. If you recall Nick/Martin Sheen tells Jim to "buy the bike back Jim" which leads you to believe that Bronson owned the bike first, sold it to Nick and then bought it back. Nick put the tall sissy bar on, Bronson didn't like it and changed it when he bought it from Nicks widow.
B. Choppers with tall sissy bars were popular back then and someone thought it looked cool. Bud Ekins may have decided that he couldn't do any of the stunts he needed to do and changed it. No one knows for sure.
I don't think I ever watched the show but I do recall building the model shown. I built a lot of model motorcycles from kits when I was in my early teens. The one I liked best was a Moto Guzzi V8 racing bike.
Very cool! Thanks for watching!
Too cool! Thanks.
Triumph blew it big time. Imagine how many bikes that show would've sold for them....... (Still riding my 70 Bonnie and Daytona regularly.)
Yep, Thanks for watching!
Great video! Keep it up please!
Thanks Peter! What would you think the next video should be about?
Didn't Bud Ekins do the bike jump in "The great escape" ?
Yes, he sure did!
1971 my mom bought Dad a Yellow Harley-Davidson Rapido 125 for fathers day. Dad rode a 1969 Electric Glide from Santa Ana to El Toro Marine base. Til 73 then to Edison Plant in LA daily. First Harley Santa Harley dealer sold with the Brand New
"FM STEREO" Just released for civilian use. Plus it had a 8-track tape player built into it on the handlebars and a cigarette lighter. The Rapido was different. But at least he could ride with brother and I at Saddleback or Escape Country
Buddy Stubbs HD Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ. Has a real used on show Bronson bike in there museum.
I reached out to them and sorry but they had a replica that was on loan from a fan in Texas.
My favorite episode was called something like 'The Old Motorcycle Fiasco." It co-starred Keenan Wynn who rode a Rudge in the espisode. Watching it to day I find it somewhat melancholy though.
Cool! You can order all 26 episodes by going to www.jimbronson.com and click on the STORE tab to order. Thanks for watching!
Excellent ❤
the Cobra seats were made in Tujunga Ca by Leo's later to become Bar Enterprises. both companies are gone now. Bud was a friend of Leo and the seats were model S2 and special made thick ones made first for Parks as he had Hemorrhoids. the series made my fathers company take off. Got to sit on a few of those bikes, for a 14 year old that was it have had street bikes the past 56 years.
I thought they were Bar seats! Thanks and thanks for watching?
Great Job.. I know when we were at Buddy Stubbs Harley for the 45th anniversary, we asked him how many bikes they had on set. I don't remember what he said..?? But I do remember that he said it was hard to know for sure, because he would have some in his shop to keep repaired, and there would be some out on location. He told us that the film crew had their own mechanics but he let them use his shop, while they were filming in Arizona ... Here's a little bit of the video that Mike took. ua-cam.com/video/lPR8LJkdUN8/v-deo.html
Thanks Billy! I don't think anyone knows for sure anymore.
Lots of good info. Buffalo Harley Davidson (Orchard Park, N.Y.) has a nice replica.
Cool, if you ever go there, maybe take a picture. Thanks for watching!
I was at that museum and saw the same bike at about the same year.
Did you take any pictures that you could share? Thanks for watching!
LIFES GREAT MOMENTS......I HAD A TR12O BONNEVILLE....LOVED IT.....AND TWO XLH S...
Cool! Thanks for watching!
Wow I was wrong for many years . I always was led to believe there was 8 + bikes ,was never sure about that cz I guess i assumed it was a rapido or a baja . I remember a article in a magazine about Michael Parks donating his bike from the show to a school to auction off it wasn't red anymore it had a early 70's custom paint job on it . Never heard about that bike again.
That bike was a fund raiser for Michael Parks daughters school in California. It was black and not one of the bikes used in the TV show. A women in Pennsylvania won that bike and I believe she still has it in the family. Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 thank you looking forward to watching all your videos, it was a great time we had easy rider , then came Bronson and a year or so later on any Sunday how could we not be motorcycle enthusiasts.
I agree, I watched all those too!
Our family watched Bronson every week. HaHa, We used to get so mad when he switched from riding a Sportster to a Sprint. We felt like they were trying to fool us.
Most people never noticed! Good catch! Thanks for watching!
Looks like the same Beach that Steve McQueen and Malcolm Smith were on at the end of
On any Sunday.
I had the Bronson MPC model kit!
Yep me too! Thanks for watching!
I’d been traveling by motorcycle for a couple of years before the TV show. I started packing my bedroll on the bars instead of behind me because of the show.
Cool! Thanks for watching!
Lot's of folks credit 'Easy Rider' for getting into Harley's For me it was 'Then Came Bronson' Funny story. about 20 years ago I was on my chopped shovelhead pulling out onto the street. A neighbor going the other way stopped and rolled down his window. He said "where are you going?' I said 'I don't know just getting some air' or something to that effect. I remember him saying "man I wish I was you' LOL
Funny! Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 In a way? bikes may shape our thinking.. or maybe our thinking makes us ride motorcycles? Chicken/ egg? At 75 I just this month gave my last shovelhead to my son. it is the last of the kickstart bikes Bronson made me want to kickstart... It is a 91 inch beast and he lives next door. I can hear that thing fire up now all the time and it sounds like no other bike! certainly not like the geezer glides of today that sound loud but without a soul if that makes sense. Thanks for putting this channel on. Oh... my son was into sportsters and still has a Buel.. that thing is crazy.
@@doranmaxwell1755 I agree with you ! Great story. Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 LOL... always nice to have someone agree with you am I right? Fun stuff. Life should be fun.
Regarding the wearing of a helmet.... As a 13 year old TCB fan, I always knew when Bronson was going to crash the bike. If he was wearing a helmet, wreck coming soon. Knit hat, no wreck. LOL
Funny! Thanks for watching!
That is a Schwinn sissy bar. Very cool for us Stingray riders.
They are hard to find. I did find one on ebay years ago when I built my first replica. Thanks for watching!
Do you have the episode where Bronson plays guitar and sings in a hippie coffeehouse?
Sorry, Bronson never played the guitar in a hippie coffeehouse. But he did sing along with and partnered up with a guy that played the guitar for a contest in a bar That episode number 16 called A Pickin' An A Singin" Thanks for watching!
@@buickman4878 thanks buickman4878.
I always thought the bike was an XR Harley? Maybe because of the tank with the pyramid and all seeing eye on it?
Interesting. Thanks for watching!
Route 66 on 2 wheels. Ribbed front tires were evil on California freeway rain grooves. Like riding across gravel at freeway speeds.
Yep that is true! Thanks for watching!
The illuminate sign on the tank.
Nothing subtle about it. Right in everyone's face. Satan is their master.
You should talk to Jay Leno. Hitched to California cus of this show. But went over the GG bridge in a moving truck.
I tried reaching out to him but no luck. Thanks for watching!
I cant even believe this is on UA-cam . I have one of those records . Micheal parks if i remember correctly.
Yes he had 4 or 5 albums but the one called Long lonesome Highway was the best, in my opinion. I see them on Ebay from time to time. I have three of them! Thanks for watching!
Michael Parks raffled off his Harley for a, if I remember rightly, Catholic school charity. I bought a ticket and won an album of his. It's a crying shame that "Then Came Bronson" lacked good writing--the show had endless potential.
That bike was not one of the bikes from the TV show it was a special bike Harley built for Parks. I agree, the show did have a lot of potential. Thank you for watching!
Oh well, I started riding in 1969, so it was a Kawa 100.... That Sportster was the perfect bike for an American hero. (note I own Harley, Triumph and Urals)
Cool and I think you are right about the Sportster. Thanks for watching!
owned the movie, still amazed that anybody could believe an 883 could 2 up half way across the country
Yep, Hollywood can make anything look possible. Thanks for watching!
You get to see a whole lot of beautiful Bonnie Bedelia in the uncut pilot movie.
yep, thanks for watching!
I didn't see it but I was told that a Bronson bike was won in a raffle by someone in Somerset County, Pennsylvania and they rode it with pride during a parade.
It wasn't a "Bronson" bike it was a custom black Sportster built for Michael Parks by Harley Davidson and then he donated it to be raffled off for his daughters school. And yes someone in Pennsylvania still owns it.
there is a radio interview with michael he said he was given them all i dont think he lie about it he did say he gave them away hang in there
outstanding
Thanks for watching!
Thank you
Thank you for watching!
Watched this show every week. When I could afford it I got a Sportster. But I always thought the Sportster had a peanut tank, not a turtle tank.
The earlier XLH had the turtle tank the XLCH had the peanut tank. Thanks for watching!
@ thanks!
In 1969 I had a NEW Harley XLH electric start motorcycle,,,!
I played like I was Bronson,,,! I am 78 yrs old now,,,,and I have a new Harley "Fat Bob" bike,,,,!
Wow, cool! Where is that bike now? Thanks for watching!
I watched the show 👍👌💯🇺🇲