Then Came Bronson 40 Year Reunion
20. Jan, 2009 
15 Comments
How many of you had their first motorcycle experience by watching Michael Parks, in his watch cap, tool around the country on his Sportster as Jim Bronson? “Then Came Bronson” hit the TV screen back in 1969 and the nomadic biker thrilled and inspired young people with his experiences.
Well here’s a chance for fans of the show to relive those thrilling days. There is going to be a “Then Came Bronson” 40 Year Reunion at the 2009 Mountainfest in Morgantown, West Virginia this July. Greg Patnik and other owners of Bronson bikes will have their replicas on display. There will also be the largest collection of “Then Came Bronson” memorabelia on display too.
You may recall that Greg Patnik’s Bronson replica was featured in the April 2008 issue of IronWorks Magazine. You may also recall this exchange between Jim Bronson and a car driver; driver: “Taking a trip?’; JB: “What’s that?”, driver:”Taking a trip?”, JB “Yeah.”, driver: “Where to?”, JB: “Oh, I don’t know, wherever I end up I guess.”, driver: “Pal, I wish I was you.”, JB: “Really? Well hang in there.”
For more info www.JimBronson.com or www.wvmountainfest.com . I wonder if all the parts from the MPC plastic model of that bike I glued together so many years ago are still stashed somewhere in my attic?
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Snakebit,
Even though I’ll probably be on my ’98 RK, the mountainfest in VA is now on my calender of places to go and things to do list for ’09. Thanks for the “heads-up”
I have the complete 28 episodes along with the movie on DVD. While most of it is a bit dated, the important episodes, like the one with the autistic boy, and the one where he royally crashed his bike and the Bronson ROCK hammer was developed and may others are still great. At 54 years of age, (much to the dismay of my wife) I still don’t tire of watching it.
Take care,
Trib
Snake,
I got online to get the scoop on the Mountain-fest. I didn’t find one in W. VA. On the website there are two addies. One is the the TCB Bixby Creek Bridge ride in CA., and the other is at the Mountainfest in Merritt British Columbia.
Could you check on that and maybe get us an addy for the Mountain-fest in West VA?
Thanks,
Trib
Snake,
Belay my last. I found it. Anyone interested can punch in a search for 2009 mountain fest motorcycle rally.
Thanks again,
Trib
OOPS! the address is http://www.wvmountainfest.com I forgot the wv. To all you people in West Virginia I’m sorry. It’s a great rally. I’ve been to it a couple times.
Snakebit,
Thanks for the blog. The 40th anniversary of the pilot movie is in March, so I will be at the Bixby Creek Bridge March 21st to make a historic ride across the bridge on my Bronson Sporty (TCB 1970 – CA Lic) along with my buddies Billy and Don (they have replica Sportys also). Then I hit the road to make my way to West Virginia for Mountainfest in July. Also, check out my You Tube Channel at . Until then you Hang In There and I’ll see ya on the Long Lonesome Highway.
Jim
Hi
I am a Bronson fan too.
Saw it when I was 10….wore a navy watch cap for years until I replaced it with a Bell Helmet hat…
Have the box and most of the model parts still
I have had a bikes even since, many actually
Currently a 1984 Virago in mint shape SN# 000142 5 k on it
At work recently
My boss told me to hang in there.
I asked if he knew where that saying came from, he didn’t so I told him
He asked me how I knew this…. told him I was a fan
Cheers
Hi all, I grew up in Indiana and in ’70 or ’71 bought and assembled the model kit of the Bronson Harley! Well at least mostly. I clearly remember having trouble getting the two halves of the wheel rim/spoke assembly to fit into the tire well enough so I could glue it together. The rear wheel assembly fit together well but not the front.
I don’t think I fully finished this kit due to that problem. I am looking for a surviving kit of this but I am concluding that none survive to present day. I thought finding the plastic kit for “The Invaders” flying saucer was tough but you can still find those. And yes, I built that model kit too about ’69 or so. It was made by the plastic kit maker “Aurora”. The Bronson bike model kit would be very collectible due to extreme rarity if any are ever found.
Mark,
I’m like you. I could never get the wheels to fit together or get the tires on right on those old motorcycle or car kits. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on a Bronson bike kit right now. Maybe they’ll bring one out for the anniversary.
Snakebit, I had a few bike models that I got the wheels/tires to go together and usually got car wheels and tires together OK. That Bronson bike had the front rubber tire too thick and it was solid too, was not hollow like a real tire. There were
some plastic kit manufacturers that indeed made their tires hollow so they were more conformable to the rims and “squished” inward. MPC made that kit really well except for that front tire. But even if I had finished it, there’s no way I would still have it. My mom threw away everything that was not chained down to something. And if it was, she’d be looking for bolt cutters!! Moms in those days did not fool around. They didn’t seem to realize that all those toys and model kits cost money. Regaining space was more an issue I guess.
Hehe, amazing what you start remembering after years when you start thinking. I also remember having fits getting the little tubes that mimicked the clutch and brake cables to stick to the levers on the handle bar. The whole handle bar was of course chromed so the glue didn’t stick too well and I wanted those cables glued on. I had to scrape the chrome off of the little tits you pushed the tubes onto and that finally got it. I wish I could remember what I learned in school as well!! Naturally what I remember most from school in those days was all the pretty girls, not the lessons. I think I’ll made a TV series about it and call it “The wonder years”.
The next event for the 40th Anniversary year of 2009 is in Milwaukee on 11-12 July at the Harley Davidson Museum. A select group of Bronsonites who have 1969-70 HD replicas there for display. We have been officially invited to the HD museum’s one year birthday party. If you are in the area come by to grip and grin with us. Hang in there…….. Jim (more details at http://www.JimBronson.com
I too have the complete DVD of the pilot and the series of TCB, I am 51 and was 12 when the show came on. As soon as I could legally ride a motorcycle, I thought I would get the Sportster, but as luck would have it, I ended up getting a Triumph Bonneville 750 for the road, and a Honda 305… (remember those?) for trail.
My question is, is how can I get one of those flat topped crew cap that Bronson wore, been looking for years, all I seem to get is the rounded top cap, not the flat one. If you know where I could get one, It would be really appreciated.
MSAGRO
For MSAGRO: Was 21 in ’69 and driving a new ’69 Dodge Charger. Followed the show and got a cap from my Coast Guard buddy. Soaked it in hot water and put it on a “mold” to flatten the top and “square” it out. Still have to this day and wear occasionally. Sold the Charger and got a ’58 BSA 650, bored and stroked, raked and planed in JAN ’71 and took off for about a year. Came home in spring of ’72, got married to the love of my life, have 4 children, 13 grand children and one more on the way. Hang in there! God Bless.
Stop by the original TCB website, started in 1968 (ending in 2000). Lots of info and photos about the show:
http://www.thencamebronson.com
By the way, the pilot movie was just officially released! Go to:
http://www.thencamebronson.com/TCB-NOW-ON-WARNER-BROS-DVD.HTM
for the details.
Been a Bronson fan since watching the show in the day room of my college dorm. Never thought much about Harleys until I saw the show, then I knew someday I had to have a Sporster like his, and I finally got mine in 2000 when I was 50! Thanks for the scoop about the newly released move from WB Jon, I just went to thier site and ordered one.