OK, hands in the air, how many of you remember “Then Came Bronson?” My hand’s up. Of course that’s like carbon dating to find out how old something is because the show was on in 1969, probably before some of you were born but I’ll also bet a lot of you do remember it. It was on for one season, 26 episodes, and if you did watch it you probably remember the theme song, at least the tune if not all of the words. “Going down that long lonesome highway ….”
For those of you with no idea what I’m talking about, the show featured Jim Bronson (Michael Parks) riding a Harley Sportster to one adventure after another. He was an easy going guy just “living life my way.” In the opening scene every week, Bronson is waiting for a traffic light, the guy in the car next to him says, “Man, I wish I was you.” Bronson replies, “Really? Well, hang in there.” Deep, I know. Today, we would think about how far he could really ride on a Sportster, small tank and bad ergonomics, but back then we just thought the show was cool, and it was, too.
I found my way to the Bronson site after stopping over at Craig Vetter’s and seeing his new “Bronson Bag” and following a link. Memories came rushing back. Today, with all of the chopper build offs and bad attitudes portrayed on TV we could use a nice relaxing show like Bronson. Makes me want to go for a ride, … across a couple of states. “Well, hang in there.”
Tom says
I remember the show and actually have all 26 episodes and the pilot movie. I have built three Bronson Sportster replica’s, one 1969 that was 99% accurate, including the Schwinn sissy bar. Why hasn’t this show and the bike recieved any just credit in the motorcycle community. In all of the Harley books there’s always mentioned Easy Rider and a picture of the Captain America bike and Evel Knevel and his bike. But no Then Came Bronson or the Bronson bike! This show had a profound influence on alot of bike riders getting into bikes. Harley-Davidson owes this show a debt of gratitude as well. But still no recognition. It’s a shame!
“Well, Hang In There”
Tom
rich says
the summer of 1969 i was 13 years old, i’d sit on my red mini bike (3.5 hp briggs-straton) with my sun glasses and black beanie hat and would re-enact the opening scene of TCB about a 100 times a day. i’m looking for some TCB photo’s etc, if you know where i can find some i’d appreciate it.
hang in there.
David R. says
I watched the pilot movie (I was nine years old at the time, and already had my first mini-bike – a Honda Z50) with my dad (who raced a BSA 440 Victor in local and SoCal ‘Hare-n-Hound’ scrambles), and I was soooooo HOOKED already!. I built the Monogram (I think ?) model of the Bronson 900 Sporty with the ‘God’s Eye’ on the tank and watched EVERY episode for as long as the series aired (a season ?)!!!
My dad’s zany adventures, my own ever-expanding exploits on two motorized wheels, and Michael Parks crooning “…bound for the mountains and the plains. Sure ain’t nothin’ here gonna’ tie (bind ?!?) me, and I got some friends I’d like to see again…” was all it took!!! I’ve been a ‘died in the wool’ biker ever since… -NO REGRETS !!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Michael Parks/Then Came ‘Bronson’ !!!,
JDR
Dallas, TX
terry WILSHAW says
I SAW THEN CAME BRONSON ADVERTISE IN MY LONDON PAPER WITH PICTURES BUT DIDNT SEE THE SHOW EVER,
ON MY TV IN UK.
WE DID HAVE BOON’ SORT OF POOR MANS BRONSON.CRAP.
AS FOR NO PICTURES THERES WAS A MENTION IN HARLEY DAVIDSON BOOK.OF TCB.
TEERY W
rod says
Great show. You can see several of them on youtube.
Casey M says
Jim Bronson got his bike from his brother who had died. Do any of you remember how the brother died? Was it in Nam?
Paul says
It was a close buddy, played by Martin Sheen (“The West Wing”) and he committed suicide by jumping off a bridge.
DENNIS says
im 49 years old, I remember then came Bronson perfectly, that show meant so much to me it was ridiculous, I thought someday how cool it would be to have that sportster and be him traveling down the road? He was my hero, as it turns out now I’ve got the 2004 XL custom 883 sportster, and as I cruise down the road on it, I can’t help but to hummm that song, GOING DOWN THAT LONG WITH SOME HIGHWAY BOUND FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND THE PLAINS, here’s to a classic series I don’t think there will be another in comparison in that way? Dennis, Colorado way!