Topic: Then Came Bronson

[Johnie]

Anyone old enough to remember the TV series Then Came Bronson from 1969-1970? I think I got some real motivation to get a bike from that show.
Jim Bronson was played by Bud Ekins who passed in 2007. The show always started the same way:

Leaving San Francisco Bronson meets up with a haggard commuter stuck in rush hour traffic in a station wagon waiting at a stop light. This scene would become the opener for the TV series with the man looking longingly at THE BIKE and, echoing the thoughts of fans for years to come, declares "Man, I wish I was you". To which Bronson gives the enduring reply,"Really? Well, hang in there." Roaring off across the Bixby Creek Bridge near Carmel on the scenic Pacific Coast Hwy, Bronson leaves the world behind and sets out on a series of adventures with the Big Sur and the Colorado Rockies as the backdrop.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Gee Willikers Wally, sounds like a groovy show! 

[6pkrunner]

I had the 1/8 - I believe it was MPC - model of the bike. Like all those others I had, it got lost in the moves. Loved that Sportster.

[mick7504]

Found this on You Tube

[zzpete]

Yeah, I remember the show. I also remember my parents wouldn't let me watch that "BIKER SCUM" show. I would go over to my friends house and watch it.

[KeithTurk]

I got hung up on this a while back.... there are a ton of folks who are trying to replicate the bikes and the feel of the show....  Fun stuff

the info out there on the net is pretty cool...

K

[markb]

I remember it too.  It also inspired me.  Even more was Steve McQueen in The Great Escape.  I would dream of racing accross open fields.  When I finally did it, it was a lot bumpier that I thought it was going to be but I still loved it.  Fond memories.
Mark

[Rocking-M]

i remember it and for some reason always thought Charles Bronson played the lead. Didn't realize it was Michael Parks till now.

[BobbyR]

I loved the show, and it almost holds up today. I have watched it recently. It was about a guy who said FUCIT and did his own thing. My generation sold out. 

[Rocking-M]

I loved the show, and it almost holds up today. I have watched it recently. It was about a guy who said FUCIT and did his own thing. My generation sold out. 

not all of us. (of course, I'm not as old as you so maybe I'm not of your generation.)

[Johnie]

The movie came out first like in 1968 and was sort of drowned out by Easy Rider. The character in the movie was played by Edkins. The TV series lead was played by Mike Parks. I wonder if he is still with us? That was a cool clip there Mick!!! Ah...those were the days...

[scottly]

I remember the show very well. In the 2 hour pilot, also starring a young Bonnie Bedelia, Bronson was given the bike by the widow of his good friend, who swept the floor of a machine shop, and committed suicide. That's what prompted Bronson's "life is too short" adventure. The show did have some moral lessons for a 15 year old, such as just because you rode a bike, you didn't have to be a jerk, and to stand up against injustice.

There was a hill-climb scene once, where they substituted a 2 stroke Maico or something for the Sportster.

I got into a knock-down, drag-out fist fight with my 3 year older brother once, when he walked into the den and changed the channel. "Hey!!! I was watching that!!!"    

[tramp]

wore my hat like parks did for years

[dhall57]

I remember that show. I really liked it. I think the motorcycle was a 883 sportster, but what really got me hooked on motorcycles was the movie On Any Sunday that came out several years later. If you have not watched this movie I recommend you do. Great movie that brings back great memories!!

[72 yellow]

A young Martin Sheen played his friend who jumped off the bridge in the movie.  I was always amazed how easy and quickly he got that Sportster started.

[Kevin D]

That speck on the bridge is me and my CB, 1971. The photographer got a bad case of poison ivy collecting the picture!

I wouldn't have known about this place without the TV show.

[CBGhia]

I remember that show. I really liked it. I think the motorcycle was a 883 sportster, but what really got me hooked on motorcycles was the movie On Any Sunday that came out several years later. If you have not watched this movie I recommend you do. Great movie that brings back great memories!!

It was probably an Ironhead 900,  the 883 is from the evo sportster line that came after the Ironheads. 

I tried to see if it was available on Netflix, but no.  There are some people selling it on DVD but it is like $30 bones.