But on Saturday, Aug. 29, in Pitzer’s hometown, the most recognizable motorcycle of all time was being shot at again — this time with cell phone cameras.
A replica of Fonda’s Captain America chopper — complete with ape-hanger handlebars, Old Glory gas tank and enough chrome to be seen from space — was on display at Revvin’ It Up Downtown, Mid-Ohio Harley-Davidson’s annual bike and hot rod cruise-in near City Hall Plaza.
“This is a true American icon right here,” explained Joe White, who rode down from Greenville for the event, as he admired the chopper.
The replica — “Dead-on to the last nut and bolt,” Pitzer bragged — will be seen in “Easy Rider: The Ride Back,” the new movie slated for release in November.
In fact, Pitzer will be seen riding it in the movie, part of which was shot locally. Not only did he co-write the screenplay and co-produce the film, he ended up co-starring.
“The bike is just magnetic,” he said, “and it’s a rush to ride it.”
Bringing the bike to town — in addition to a replica of Dennis Hopper’s bike from the ’69 original, only painted blue instead of orange — is a way to drum up publicity.
Pitzer has been hauling them around to bike events for the past three years.
For Harley enthusiasts, the Captain America chopper in particular — custom-built for Pitzer’s film from a 1949 Harley panhead — is like seeing the General Lee car or the ’66 Batmobile in person.
“These bikes are probably the two most iconic motorcycles in the world,” Pitzer said.
And on Saturday, there was no nicer day for motorcycles, minor quibbles aside.
“The weatherman got it wrong,” White said. “We’re all leathered up for 70 and cloudy. It’s 80 and sunny.”
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