Been riding Harleys since 75 because of this show. Showed what being free meant in a not so free time.

--John Gammone n.y.c.

We all rode bikes in the 60's and I still ride now. The "Then Came Bronson" show really got us caught up in it! It was our ideal as we all had the dream of swinging a leg up on the scooter and dusting off the status quo. I had a rider friend who had a Yamaha DT1 (street legal) 250 dirtbike. He began dressing and wearing a stocking cap just like Bronson and he rode all over Tulsa as a look-a-like wannabe. Geeze, I'll bet he's embarrassed when he thinks about it now! As for me, I actually made two huge trips all over the West on my Gold Wing so I got to taste a little bit of the life. Strange, though, Michael Parks didn't get soaked in the rain and we never saw him shivering at 7000 feet in the mountains. That's TV for you.

--Flash

For it's time, Then Came Bronson was a great thinking persons adventure show. Like "The Fugitive' TCB offered a different slice of life every episode.It could be the reason I'm riding around on a old Harley Sportster today.

--Fred

I bought my first motorcycle about the time TCB came on the air. It was a Honda - in fact my first 3 bikes were new Hondas. The last new Honda I bought was a 1973 CB750 and it was BAD - would run circles around the "Hogs" of those days.

This year I bought a new 2003 100th anniversary Harley FXD Superglide - they've come a long way baby. I love it and won't go back. I've still got my old Honda and will keep it 'cause it's a classic, but I'm a "Hog Man" all the way now. I loved Bronson and have bought some of the old episodes - will probably buy them all if possible. In the words of the man, "Hang In There!" By the way, I'm 61 now and hanging in there.

--Big Bill

My brother was riding an old FL in 75 when I got my first sporty, used, and it actually had the EYE on top of the tank! We watched the show regularly and my younger brother got the you-know-what beat out of him for pulling up beside our dads truck and kicking the door in after the wedding ring show where the girl ran him off the road in the mountains! Still riding Harleys today and wish that Then Came Bronson would re-air somwhere out of all these satellite stations we have access to now! Ride Safe

--KC

This program sat in my inner soul for many years. I remember the most intimate details of programs I only saw one time that live in my mind. I ride my cycle today with the opening theme running through my mind. At 60 I feel Jim Bronson in my soul. I was 25 when I first saw this on tv. I see it in my mind every time I get on my bike.

--Bad Actor

As a 48 yr. old I ride a replica of the Bronson Bike all the way down to the "Bronson Red" custom made paint, and the All seeing Eye handpainted on its xlch tank. Ive always liked Mr. Parks as an actor/singer and TCB always stood out as a freedom from "the norm" and a voice that many of us shared during thoose turbulent years in American history. My favorite episode was as many "The forest primeval" which was very well produced and directed. The photograpy was astounding filmed in the "Big Surr forest" denoting mans plight against nature, yet embraceing all its beauty. Anyone remember the shot of his Bike rolling down the Mountain? That shot not only destroyed one of the bikes, but a very expensive Panavision camera. Bronson used "rocks" to repair his "Sporty", and I run into riders all the time whom have used them and so fondly call them "BRONSON ROCKS". "Takin a trip?" WASS THAT? "takin a trip?" YAA. . "Where to?" OH I DONT KNOW.WHEREVER I END UP I GUESS. "Man I wish I was you. " REALLY?? "yeah" Well, hang in there!

--BROOD FAN MICHAEL

A funny thing happened to me back in '69. I found my Dad's old Cushman scooter, well hidden too. I rode it around the farm most of the summer until it finally got beyond repair. By then I had a taste of what a motorcycle was but no idea what riding really was.

Then Came Bronson. As a 10 year old I watched every eposode religiously. A few bikes came and went and at the street legal age of 14 I had a '74 Kawasaki enduro bike, a red one. It may have looked like a dirt bike to everyone else but to me it was the Sportster I watched every week on TV. At 21 when my Dad passed I bought that Sporty. A green one. Once a week me and that bike went out and had our adventure. Two years later I traded up to a Low Rider and managed to earn my wings with a great bunch of guys I sorely miss. A very quick year later I had to trade again. My new wife needed a better back seat, luggage room and a windshield. This time an '83 Electra Glide. That's the bike she and I rode just this afternoon. I can't name a favorite episode, but I thank Michael Parks and the creators of the series for showing me what it meant to ride.

--Eddie Voyame

"Then Came Bronson" is likely why I ride today; at least, it is what gave birth to my abiding interest in motorcycling. Certainly, it was a continuation of the "Route 66" and "Run For Your Life" genre, albeit minus two wheels. However, Michael Parks left his own unique imprint on the character, with some significant influence from both Brando and Dean. In the pilot episode, Bonnie Bedelia, in that memorable run down the beach, caught the immediate attention of audiences (and this 16 year-old!). [Thank you, Bonnie!] Bronson, as portrayed by Parks, was part explorer, part voyager and part Don Quioxte. The series was too short-lived, and I hope that someone gets whatever is left of the original copies onto VHS tape or DVD, and soon! Does anyone remember that it was shown in syndication on cable back in the Awesome80s? Early morning, 5:00-6:00am, on WTBS, as I recall.

--"Jack" Abilene, Texas

Hey I loved the show too. I was a kid then. I got into motorcycles and the whole Bronson escape idea as a possible future lifestyle for when I grew up. I got a free city map at the local gas station, placed it on my Stingray bicycle handlbars with rubber bands, and set off to explore my city as if I were Bronson. Stopped along the way at a local motorcycle shop and walked reverently around the show room, imagining the days to come, riding into the countryside. Melanie's hit "Lay Down (Candles In the Wind)" was a hit around then, and that song brings back the memories well.

--Fred

After a week long "career day" in the 4th grade (Catholic schools have a tendency to go overboard) meeting firemen, lawyers, teachers, cartoonists from Hannah Barbera etc. . . the teacher went around the class asking everyone what they wanted to be when they grew up. "Doctor", "Lawyer", "Teacher" came the cries from all the kids. When they got down to the letter "P" (my last name is Patrick) I said "I want to be like Then Came Bronson!" and the entire class erupted in laughter! The teacher pointed out that "Then Came Bronson was a TV show and how would I make money?" I pointed out that "Then Came Bronson went from town to town on his motorcycle and he would make a little money in each town working!" and by this time the entire class was in tears laughing so hard at me.

I have to laugh when I meet see them all know as they are bald, have suffered heart attacks, have never left Florida (some of them), and have never had true adventure and fun. Me. . . I've traveled the United States attending motorcycle races, own my own motorcycle shop and have more fantastic memories from riding motorcycles all because of of the fact that as a I kid I knew that "I want to be like Then Came Bronson!". Thanks Michael Parks, nobody could have done it better!

--Mike Patrick aka Mikeee P

I'am 74 and still riding a 2001 1200cc Sportster and a 1976 Triumph 750 Tiger. Back in 1955 I was on top of the Great Smokies in North Carolina on my 48 Harley and at each scenic overlook a salesman in his car stopped next to me and longingly looked a me an the Harley, and I knew that he wished he was just roaming on a cycle like me. It reminded me of lead in scene in when Bronson looks at the guy nest to him a the red light and says Hang in there Man. Rick Delran, N. J.

--Rick

"Then Came Bronson"Came on when I was 27 yrs old with a wife and three children and one on the way. I had owned several bikes by that time and actually sold my 1958 B. S. A. 500cc Twin to pay to get my first daughter out of the hospital when she was born. I had started riding on a 1948 "Doodlebug" motorscooter at the ripe old age of 5. My first real bike was a 1951 Triumph in 1957 when I was 15, it was a wrecked basket case even then. I rode it extensively and still have it along with several others. I worked for; forever it seemed; till my children were raised and at the age of 50 I quit my job and headed out on a 1991 used Harley FXRPolice bike and rode 45, 000 miles in one year with a bedroll and small tent;spent the night wherever the night found me;It was the best part of my life so far. I spent several years taking care of my mother who had alchiemers and recently buried her beside my father. I only hope that I can get in shape to go again and leave my cares behind.

--Triumphleroy

I was 14 and channel surfing all three channels one night when I came across a guy riding a motorcycle around the country. I was hooked on bikes ever since. Harley owes alot to that show. I bet there were alot of Sportsters sold because of the show. I have owned three myself! Currently just finishing up a 1969 Sportster Bronson replica.

I have the pilot movie and all 26 episodes and watch them on a regular basis. I started out with a Sears mini bike and navy blue stocking cap. Moved up to a Honda 100 and then a new 1974 Sportster 1000. I took a couple of trips on the bike that are now great memories. I too wish the TV show got more recognition and the Bronson Sportster. It seems like every Harley book has pictures and comments on Easy Rider and Evel Knevel and there bikes, but no recognition of Then Came Bronson or the Bronson bike. Why is that? There should be a national Sportster meet somewhere and all of the Then Came Bronson fans should all gather for some kind of reunion! That would be very interesting and alot of fun. Well Hange in there!

--Tom, Little Rock, AR

This show is what defines what riding a motorcycle is about! The adventure, freedom, "goin down that lone lonesome highway, and doing it my way" that the wife will never understand.

--Texas