Michael Parks riding a 1969 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster in Then Came Bronson

[smallengineshop]

Then Came Bronson is a NBC television show that aired from 1969 to 1970 and starred Michael Parks, who played a loner, drifter riding around the country on a 1969 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster. The show only lasted one season with a total of 27 episodes including the pilot. Man, 26 episodes in one season seems like a lot! HBO's Game of Thrones season 7 only has 7 episodes. Anyway, I didn't even know the show existed until I found a photo of the actor sitting on the bike while I was researching information about 1970's Harley Davidson motorcycles. Even though the show only lasted one season, it was popular enough to influence Harley Davidson to offer a Bronson Red paint option on Sportster motorcycles.

Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycles back in 1969 had a 883cc v-twin engine, 4 speed transmission, chain final drive, front and rear drum brakes and a dry clutch. The shifter and rear brake lever were on opposite sides back than, so your right foot did the shifting and your left foot operated the rear brake pedal. The Bronson bike had the famous peanut gas tank with Eye of Providence decals added to both sides of the tank. The air cleaner, foot pegs, exhaust pipe, front fender and front rim are not stock, and the rear fender has been chopped.

I've never seen a single episode of the show except for short clips on YouTube. YouTube started cracking down on television shows and movies since they started a streaming service for this stuff. I wasn't able to find any episodes on Netflix or Amazon, but there is a movie version of Then Came Bronson, also starring Michael Parks, on Amazon. I will link to it below. Anyway, that's all I have to say about this, so until next time, or when we meet again on the Long Lonesome Highway.


The movie version of Then Came Bronson on Amazon. Available for purchase....Click It!


I guess this is the original Bronson bike displayed at a museum.


Michael Parks standing next to the Bronson bike with some chic.


Michael Parks playing James 'Jim' Bronson in the television show Then Came Bronson.


I guess the pilot episode of Then Came Bronson was released as a movie in Europe. This is the European movie poster.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/PYKQ3fwNb0c" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/PYKQ3fwNb0c</a>
I think this song was part of the Then Came Bronson soundtrack. You know a sportster with a peanut gas tank is the wrong motorcycle to use on a long lonesome highway. Just sayin......

[rtcoker]

Loved that series! watched every episode. Inspired me to strap sleeping bag and roll bag and take off traveling in 69 and 70 myself, albeit on a BSA. The picture of the HD sportser shown in a museum, aboe, is NOT the one used in the TV show "Then came Bronson". Notice that the show used an 883 and was filmed in 1969. The 69 had cooling fins (cosmetic) alongside the crankcase next to the rear brake pedal and the shifter, as noted in the picture of the link below, just like the B & W pics of Michael Parks standing next to his bike. The museum bike pictured above does not have those "fins".  The '60 models had drum brakes up front, not disc brakes as depicted in the color photo above. Maybe that is why the black and white photos don't show the entire front wheel? Indeed, discs brakes weren't available on any HD's until 1972 model year. Also notice the rear brake lever in the color museum doesn't have the rubber sleeves, like Bronson's sportster. While it's a nice bike and vintage it is not the real McCoy.

https://nationalmcmuseum.org/2020/02/21/1969-harley-davidson-sportster-xlh/

I am thinking that the "chic" is Bonnie Bedelia. She was in the pilot episode of Bronson. She played the wife of Bruce Willis in the Die Hard movies, among other roles during her career.

[smallengineshop]

Cooling fins.....Good eye!

His girl friend is played by Bonnie Bedelia

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/h9CB504T0xU" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/h9CB504T0xU</a>

[rtcoker]

Love you website and forum. Keep up the good work!.