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Elvis' First Bike
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James Dean's uncle Marcus bought him his first motorcycle, a 1947 Czech
Whizzer. Jimmy also owned an English cycle, a Harley Davidson, a 500cc
Norton, an Indian 500, an Italian Lancia scooter and a British Triumph
T-110, which had "Dean’s Dilemma" painted on the side. In
the 1953 movie THE WILD ONE Marlon Brando and most of the Black Rebels
ride Triumphs and other British motorcycles, while Lee Marvin and his
boys ride Harley-Davidsons. Brando's motorcycle was a 650cc Triumph
Thunderbird. Lee Marvin owned a Triumph, a 200cc Tiger Cub where which
he frequently competed in desert races. Even Clark Gable enjoyed a ride
on his Ariel motorcycle until the studio decided his pastimes was far
too dangerous.
Elvis could stroll to
the garage and decide which motorbike to fire up for a ride. He had a
choice. A vintage Harley Panhead or a Honda Dream, or perhaps a Triumph
bike. Most likely it would be his favourite Harley-Davidson
Dresser. "Most loved bike Elvis owned was the Harley
Dessert. They were police-type bikes. Bigger and close to the ground
just what Elvis loved," says Ron Elliot, the proprietor of
SuperCycle, a Memphis motorbike shop that took care of all Elvis
motorcycle business.
