The classic ’50s motorcycle brand was Triumph. Fonzie rode a 1949 Triumph TR5 Trophy. The motorcycle was rigged so Winkler could sit on it when parked or towed. The motorcycle had a chain and a brake. It had a front fender and a taillight and was very low to the ground.
Triumph Trophy TR5
Fonzie rode a Triumph Trophy TR5 in his classic television series, “Happy Days.” The bike is a classic off-road racing motorcycle, and it’s a good guess that Lynch bought his to make the series more “funny.” Fonzie’s Triumph is one of several that were owned by movie stars in the 1950s. Fonzie’s Triumph is now on display in Traverse City.
Fonzie was well-known for his one-liners and black leather jacket, but he was also known for his Triumph motorcycle, which was custom-built for the film by stuntman Bud Ekins. Ekins was a good friend of Steve McQueen, and the filmmaker asked him to customize Fonzie’s Triumph. The stuntman had a motorcycle collection of his own and customized it for the show.
It was built by stuntman Bud Ekins
While he may have been a hit on the big screen, Fonzie’s real motorcycle came from a real-life person: stuntman and motocross racer Bud Ekins. The stuntman owned hundreds of motorbikes and built Fonzie’s bike in the early 1970s.
Bud Ekins was a stuntman and famous motorcycle racer. He was best friends with Steve McQueen, and he was asked to customize a Triumph motorcycle for the role of Fonzie. Ekins found a Triumph that matched the character’s personality and riding style, and he had it customized to look exactly like the real thing. This motorcycle, which will soon be auctioned off, should fetch a cool six-figure price.
It was sold to a motorcycle dealer in the ’80s
Fonzie’s Triumph bike, which he rode in many episodes of the ’60s sitcom Happy Days, will appear at the Bonhams Classic California Auction in Los Angeles on November 12. The bike, a 1949 model, is a pop icon and will likely find a new home. While it is not a vintage bike, the Triumph is certainly one of a kind and should attract plenty of collectors.
The motorcycle, Fonzie’s last known surviving motorcycle, was purchased by Bud Ekins, a stuntman and motocross racer. He was a friend of Steve McQueen and an avid motorcycle collector.
It was rigged so crew members would simply pull Winkler where he needed to go
The motorcycle was rigged so crew members could pull Winkler where he needed to be on the scene. Winkler was so nervous about riding the motorcycle that he gave up after one try. In the end, he said it was a good way to make the scene.
It was rumored that Micky Dolenz, lead singer of the Monkees, would be cast as Fonzie, but the director decided to cast Henry Winkler because he was shorter and had the more physical ability. The result was a role that lasted for 11 seasons.
Henry Winkler rode it
Fans of the classic “Happy Days” sitcom will know that Henry Winkler portrayed “The Fonz,” a character known for his leather jacket and motorcycle. However, Winkler has admitted that he didn’t ride a motorcycle on the set. He also revealed that he couldn’t ride a motorcycle in real life.
Although Winkler, who is now 79, has been known for his role in the hit sitcom, Fonzie first rode a Harley-Davidson. However, Winkler could not keep up with the weight, so producers decided to get a lighter motorcycle for the role. The stuntman Jim Elkins helped get the production of a lighter bike. However, Winkler crashed the motorcycle at least one time.