Many big name actors and musicians have and continue to ride all types of motorcycles. This page is a collection of pictures of those who twisted throttles and kept us entertained in their day. Some of these folks used motorcycles as a way to unwind, while others were very successful racers in their own right. These are but a few of those who enjoyed two wheels.  Bob Dylan on a Triumph Clint Eastwood     Clark Gable on an Ariel Square Four Ian Lemmy Kilmister  Lee Marvin on a Triumph Lee Marvin in the movie The Wild One Dean Martin on a Triumph Jack Nicholson Roy Orbison on a CZ twin piper  Sidney Poitier on a BSA B50MX Elvis Presley on a Triumph scrambler William Shatner during the Star Trek years William Shatner on a Montesa dirt bike William Shatner and a Yamaha Big Bear Scrambler part company Shatner in his CJ-5 towing the Yamaha he just crashed Saint John, New Brunswick native Donald Sutherland. John Wayne on a Hodaka Ace 100  John Wayne on a Honda SL 350 Enduro the Duke on a Cyclone board track racer the Fonz from Happy Days, Henry Winkler, on a Triumph Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin Jimmy Page and John Bonham of Led Zeppelin riding Suzuki's Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, on a Kawasaki KE 175 Last but certainly not least is Steve McQueen. He was a top rated actor, and a professional motorcycle racer. He rode the ISDT, raced hare and hound in the desert, scrambling, moto cross, as well as play riding. He had a huge collection of vehicles, with many motorcycles including models manufactured by Pope, Harley Davidson, Indian, Husqvarna, Honda, Triumph,and his famous Rickman Triumph 650 Desert bike, which made the cover of November 1966 Popular Science Magazine. He had a big hand in the production of the movie, On Any Sunday, which is still regarded as the premier motorcycle movie. Steve passed away in 1980 of cancer.  Steve on his home built Rickman Triumph Metisse 650 circa 1966. The Rickman chassis, fibre glass body work, Ceriani Forks, when combined with the Triumph 650cc engine, was the hot set up.    This picture was taken during the International Six Day Trials circa 1964. The ISDT is the bar by which the best enduro riders in the world is decided.   If you have seen the movie The Great Escape, then you will recognise the bike and rider. They Germaned up a Triumph because a Zundapp was too slow and heavy for the fence jump. Steve and Jacqueline Bissett in San Francisco during the filming of the movie Bullitt.  This was one of the photos taken for a Life Magazine cover, McQueen riding a Husqvarna 400 cross...one of his favorites.  Steve, Mert Lawwill, and, Malcolm Smith, during the filming of On Any Sunday in 1971. Steve and Malcolm both rode Husqvarna's in the film. Mert rode a Greeves with Harley Davidson decals on the tank, because he was a factory Harley Flat Track rider under contract, and because Harley dirt bikes weren't very good as history would prove. In 1973 Honda released their new Motocross bike the Elsinore. This bike set the bar for performance in terms of horse power and handling. Steve appeared in adds for the Elsinore and shot a promotional film, which can be found on you tube.  |
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