Es hat für die Dreharbeiten wohl ein Bike gegeben, dass Mickey Rourke persönlich gehörte (96 CUI, das mit der Delle im Tank) und 1 Stuntbike (80CUI mit schwarzem Auspuff). Insgesamt wurden 4 Bikes hergestellt. Die ersten beiden Bikes waren Prototypen und sind verschwunden/gestohlen/verschrottet. Es ist nicht klar, ob sie überhaupt wie das Filmbike ausgesehen haben.
Das dritte Bike (Black Death 3) wurde von Mickey Rourke an seinen Leibwächter, Chuck Zito zur Restaurierung übergeben. Der hat es dann wohl behalten und 1999 zu Schrott gefahren. Chuck ist nicht von ungefähr auch der Chef der New Yorker Hells Angels. Nach seinen Angaben ist dieses Bike immer noch in seinem Besitz, es ist repariert und er fährt noch damit.
Es gibt ein altes Video, das Chuck in einem Interview mit Mickey zeigt, in dem auch das BD3 Bike zu sehen ist. Es ist also anzunehmen, dass sich das Originalbike im Besitz von Chuck Zito befindet (1:10, 1:45):
Loess Hills HD Iowa
Hier eine Dokumentation des Stuntbikes (mit schwarzem Auspuff)
Visit Loess Hills H-D online: http://www.loesshillshd.com/
There has been some confusion on what is actauly the real Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man Movie Bike AKA: Black Death 3, Black Death, BD3, Coolest FXR ever built? *
*SO THERE IS NO CONFUSION**THE BIKE YOU SEE HERE IS THE DOCUMENTED MOVIE BIKE USED IN THE FILM***ORIGINAL UNMOLESTED CONDITION**
Below is a quote from the original builder Gene, not one to waste time or words, summed up the facts behind the creation of the Black Death/Mickey Rourke/Harley-Davidson & The Marlboro Man bike.
He showed me a copy of a story published in 1995 that ended with a paragraph saying if you wanted to buy the bike, give Gene 50 grand in a paper bag and it's yours. Says Gene, "Well, a guy in Denver must have read the article, because he gave me 50 grand in a paper bag. I threw the bike in a truck and drove it to him in Denver." Okay, but which bike did he get?
Says Gene, "Most of the other stuff that's been said about the bike is untrue. Mickey had one bike. It started when we set up a regular FXR with a Wide Glide front end for him. Then later he changed his mind. He wanted this all black bike with all digital gauges and stuff, digitals at that time just coming in. So it got the digitals and solid wheels. So now it's this black back with built-in digital gauges.
At this point, Mickey had a change of view and went back to basics. So we got rid of all that digital crap and built the one bike for the movie. At the exact same time we built an identical back-up bike, and that's the one used in the movie. The other bike, which had a stroker motor, was hard to start and other problems. So the back-up bike was the stunt bike that did most of the movie."
The story is not over. Gene continues.
"And then Mickey gives the original stroker bike to Chuck Zito. Now years go by and I'm sitting in a bar and a guy starts talking to me, telling me he works in a movie prop company and they have this motorcycle that was from the Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man movie. I say, no #%$. He says he had an offer of six for it. I told him I would give him twelve thousand, double his offer. He called me back and it turns out it was a real prop shop, the bike was there. I went and I paid for it.
So Chuck had the original bike, and this was the other one, the stunt bike used in the movie. The one that went to Denver. But what happened later with it, I wouldn't know. But it had all the paper work from MGM so it's documented that it was in the movie.
Things got cloudy when everybody starting re-making the bike, some blessed, some un-blessed." So there you have it...at least up to this point. No doubt we'll be hearing more about the Black Death bike, a bike that literally wouldn't die.
?Paul Garson bikernet article: Movie Mystery Bike Solved, March 2011--Paul Garson
What Happened to Mickey's /Zito's Stroker? Here is what the NY Post Reported October 13,2009..After winding through the courts for 10 years, a trial date is expected soon. But the case has hit a few bumps in the road, including the city's insistence that it can't be held responsible because there's no proof it ever worked on the road where Zito crashed the bike Rourke rode in the flick "Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man." .
He says he tried to swerve the bike, named Black Death, away from the 4-foot by 6-foot patch, but the rear wheel also hit the hole -- and he was catapulted. Zito suffered a broken right leg that required surgery, "road rash" on his right arm and a concussion. He's been seeking $10 million in damages, including $90,000 in medical expenses, lost earnings of $45,000 and $250,000 for the bike, which was run over by a car. Black Death will be on Display this Spring at Iowa's Newest Harley-Davidson Dealership.
Heath Rodney
Heath ist der momentane Besitzer des Stuntbikes. Und gleichzeitig der Präsident von Loess Harley in Pacific Junction Iowa. Hier ein Bild aus seinem Lagerhaus.
Heath Rodney: I can say for sure there were only two built both bikes are accounted for in America!!!! If some one is selling one in Germany it?s a fake.
There were only two built, One commissioned by the MGM Studio (AKA the Stunt Bike) and one that was owned by Mickey personally. Now owned by Chuck Zito. Both bikes built by Bartel Harley in Hollywood, CA by Gene Thomason. And according to Gene both Bike were identical with the exception of Mickey's bike have a stroker motor. Mickey's would not run a slow speeds so the bike you see riding in the movie is the Stunt bike
I have the original MGM Studio contract for the use of the bikes in the Movie...The Zito bike was badly wrecked in the 2000's and ran over by a garbage truck after Zito hit a pot hole and crashed (This is well documented as he tried to Sue the Cuty of NY for shit streets, case was thrown out of Court). The Zito bike was rebuilt but as you can see in recent photo's most everything has been changed...so there is only one Survivor Black Death and that's the Stunt Bike.
http://tobacbuy-panel.weebly.com/blo...cycle-for-sale
The movie Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man introduced many young riders to motorcycles, choppers, the cult, bikers and the lifestyle, much like Easy Rider rocked young men?s lives from a different era. Heath Rodney, the 36-year-old, president of Loess Harley in Pacific Junction, Iowa, was impacted by this film, and forever sought some connection. He bought this movie chopper along with a 1957 Corvette several years ago and here?s his research:
**Below Info Courtesy of Harley-Davidson Internal Records**
1989 Harley-Davidson FXLR (Super Glide Low Rider) Not a FXRS as previously speculated/reported
VIN: 1HD1ELL12KY111583
Born: Vivid Black
Production Date: 08/14/1988
Invoiced: 08/14/1988 Chosa?s Harley-Davidson (Mesa, AZ)
Retailed: 09/12/1988 to a J Hleiva Jr. of Mesa, AZ
On or about September of 1990 the infamous FXLR was acquired by Bob?s Cycle Supply of Phoenix, AZ and then sold on 10/10/1990 to Harley-Davidson Production?s, 8265 Sunset Blvd #106, Los Angeles, CA.
On 09/15/1990, the pre-apocalyptic FXLR was transferred to Bartel?s Harley-Davidson (Marina Del Ray, CA), where the magic happened.
And to Heath?s current understanding, it was turned over to Gene Thomason and the crew at Bartel?s for the modified build. Heath?s research lead him to an article titled ?Mystery Movie Bike Solved, The Mickey Rourke Black Death? on Bikernet 03/31/2011: http://www.bikernet.com/pages/story_detail.aspx?id=8911
This article by Paul Garson shed the most light on the bike and its history. It was Heath?s vivid understanding that two bikes were built. One was Mickey?s original ?Stroker bike? and at the exact same time BD3 was built for ?Harley-Davidson Productions.
?This seems very consistent with what Heath gathered out of other articles over the years, but then again, maybe not.
Here?s a quote from Paul?s piece right here on Bikernet: "Some say the Black Death bike has reached the status of the Captain America Easy Rider bike. So does that mean Peter Fonda and Mickey Rourke should duke it out in the ring? Probably not a good idea. Maybe a virtual wheel-to-wheel race between the two bikes? Maybe somebody has already conjured up a video game version?"
Here?s where the story gets hinckey according to Paul: "Back to the movie and the scuttlebutt about the bike or bikes. It seems the famous dealership, Bartels, located in Marina Del Rey, CA, got the contract to build the bike. They started with a 1989 FXR and eventually built Black Death 1 and Black Death 2, one serving as Mickey?s personal scooter, the other utilized for stunt work, jumps, crashes, etc. for filming. As the stories go, for some reason they were scrapped and a third version was then built, resulting in the final iteration of Black Death, aka BD3."
Paul also reported: According to a blog entry, Mickey's bike was used for some opening scenes and basic riding shots, while the duplicate 80-inch version BD4 was used as the primary stunt bike. The two bikes are identical except for the S&S stroker kit. Here?s more evidence of BD4 from
Paul: "Another source stated that Black Death 3 was a 98-inch stroker built by Gene Thomason, Dave Fournier, and Allan Barsi at Bartels. At some point MGM approached Mickey to star in the movie, and he told them he already had the bike he wanted to ride in the film, BD3.
The movie company then paid Gene to build a duplicate of the S&S 98-incher. According to a blog entry, Mickey's bike was used for some opening scenes and basic riding shots, while the duplicate 80-inch version was used as the primary stunt bike (BD4). The two bikes are identical except for the S&S stroker kit."
Heath also shed some light on where the bike went from 1990 till 1995, while being held in a Hollywood Prop house. On 03/15/1995 Gene Thomason purchased the bike from MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc) for $12,000 (Heath has all original documentation). Then to Denver, and now in Iowa In the July 1995 issue of HOT ROD BIKES there is an in-depth article by Howard Kelly.
Bartel?s Studio Rentals handed the writer the keys to Black Death 3 and let him put a few miles on it. The article stated, ?MGM commissioned Gene and Dave to build an exact 80 ci replica of Mickey?s ride. So this was the bike used in the filming of the movie.?
Seems Mickey?s original stroker bike ?98ci Monster,? complete with every conceivable hot rod modification, was not exactly civil for shooting low?speed passes for the camera, so is BD3 the actual the bike we all know from the movie, or BD4?
More from Paul: "Now we enter the territory of multiple clones. Mickey teamed up with Chuck Zito and his Black Death Motorcycles enterprise and also with Arizona builders Carefree Custom Cycles; the plan to produce exact re-pops of Black Death as seen in the movie, utilizing the original DB3 for a template. They did the strut conversion and followed the matching paint and graphics treatment, handled by Jason and Phil Smith/Cougar Ridge Rod Shop. The big change, and a major departure from the original, was a replacement of the FXR EVO motor with a 114-inch Powerhouse sourced from Mid-USA and pumping a purported 135 HP. Other components included a heavy duty Falicon crank, a 5-speed tranny, Andrews gears, and Primo belt drive. "The 'updated' powerplant outwardly looked much like the original BD bike. Mickey was reportedly seen riding one of the clones, and it apparently was indistinguishable from the original movie bike, at least to the general public. When introduced for sale, those DB reproductions carried a price tag of $35,000. (Didn?t find any figures on how many were minted or sold.)"
Paul grabbed a quote from Chuck?s book: Then on page 161, Zito states, ?As for the Marlboro bike...Well, I borrowed it six years ago, and I still have it today. In fact, the inscription on the carburetor reads: "This is the original Black Death motorcycle used in the movie Harley-Davidson & the Marlboro Man.?
That was BD3, with the stroker motor. Over the years Heath, always a fan of Black Death, was moved by an article by Dave Aldridge, published in the May 1997 issue of Easyriders Magazine. This article broke down the build sheet of the bike, along with some history, ?The Ultimate Lowdown On the Ultimate Low Rider.?
The article concluded by saying ?For you high rollers, the stunt bike was the actual bike you see in the movie. Black Death 3?s (that would seem to be BD4, if BD3 was the stroker owned by Zito) price tag stands at 50 grand in a paper bag. If you?re the serious sort, call Gene Thomason at 310-821-3626?
Well, a serious type did take Gene up on his offer and Gene loaded up Black Death in the back of a truck and drove it to Denver! AKA the Denver bike, or BD4, found a home with Stephen Quisenberry of the Denver area. What happened to Mickey?s stroker bike? Does Chuck Zito still have it? He said he did in his book. What condition is it in after its well-published crash in the late ?90s? New York Post reported, ?Ran Over by a Car.?
Heath purchased Stephen?s BD3 or 4 and displays it at Loess Hills Harley-Davidson. Is this the home to the one and only original ?Harley-Davidson and Marlboro Man? movie bike?
Here?s what Loess says about BD4 "This 80-inch bike harnesses true Harley power and ability to thrill. Sitting just 24 inches off the ground with California-style handlebars, Black Death 4 is nothing less than sexy. And if its custom, hand-formed design isn?t enough to get you going, the iconic image of the skull, cards and orange Harley-Davidson makes it a truly one-of-a-kind bike. Plus, did we mention that it is also autographed by Mickey Rourke himself?
Pictures just don?t do it justice; Black Death is a bike you need to see in person. Come visit us at Loess Hills Harley-Davidson and experience Harley-Davidson and Marlboro Man bike for yourself." Iowa Harley-Davidson Dealership Story Loess Hills Harley-Davidson is your new Harley destination. You?ll be in hog heaven when you see our 30,000 square foot facility, full of a large selection of new Harley-Davidson bikes, accessories, and top-of-the-line clothing. If you?re in the market for a used bike, we can help you find the perfect pre-owned ride. Plus we take all trades...if it has a title and wheels, we can make you a deal! And if it?s service you?re after, stop in and see Buzz; he has over 25 years of experience and he?ll get you back on the road in no time. Visit Loess Hills Harley-Davidson for bikes, classic cars, maintenance and all of your Harley-Davidson gear. --Heath Rodney President Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 Phone: 712.622.4000 www.loesshillshd.com/ Conveniently located off exit #35 on I-29, 17 miles South of Omaha
Years ago when Mickey had his club (Mickeys) in Hollywood. A crew of bikers would go to a local bike shop called Hollywood Harley owned By Rick and meet and wrench with the help of the crew there. Rick was a R.U.B. but a good guy and never complained, let us use the shop as needed. The original bike was stored there for a time. I know I sat on it many a times, just chill in. The head wrench Magic man who was a 1% Bandito out of Texas took care of this Monster of a bike. My boy Andre and Gresh also did the same working under Magic. Magic would go on to open a shop with Allen who I think is still wrenching in Glendale some where for what I heard. Did to know about the original contact Magic and he can fill you in. N.Y. Steve Daytona, FL Tuesday, January 14, 2014
That being Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man which and the bike he rode, a Harley custom Rourke/Harley-Davidson The Marlboro Man bike.
Mickey Rourke is one of those politically incorrect anti-heroes, a boxer/actor who has punched his way through all kinds of obstacles to reach iconic Hollywood stature, albeit not one of the ?politically correct? of Tinsel Town, not that he probably gives a damn. He?s just plain too hard core as evidenced in real life and reflected in his film characters. He still gets those ?chews on broken glass for fun? roles, for example his recent part as the bad guy in Iron Man II.
https://www.imcdb.org/v061697.html
Heath Rodney: There were actually two bikes built for the movie because
the first bike barked up so much that it wouldn't idle.
The bike was actually not made for the movie. Mickey
drew the bike up on a cocktail napkin and when the producers
saw the idea they thought it was perfect for the movie. The other
interesting fact is that the seat has no padding what so ever.
It was a custom built seat made by taking a piece of sheet
metal and attaching a piece of leather to it by velcro. The
tank graphic was designed by Mickey himself and the artist is a secret.
The initials on the cards stand for a special friend in Mickey's life at that time.
The final product ended up the way it is because Mickey walked
in about half way through production
and said "That's exactely what I want!".
RBRacing
Vom damaligen Auspuffhersteller RBRacing gibt es eine informative Seite zu diesem Bike, der auch einen Abdruck des Easyrider May 1997 Artikels enthält:
RB Racing made the exhaust for the Mickey Rourke's bike in the movie Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. Actually we made several sets of exhaust pipes for Mickey Rourke's FXR when the movie was in the planning stages at the request from Dave Fournier who worked at Bartels Harley Davison, then in Culver City CA. We asked Dave what he wanted for an exhaust and he said "just make it stand out because there would be a movie poster of the bike".
Damn bike got famous for some reason. We make a few sets of these exhausts for people wanting to relive the dream. FYI the 1 1/2" pipes on the stroker motor went like stink in 1st and 2nd gear and sort of died in 3rd gear...way too small.
We never painted the pipes.
We made a set of two inch severe cut megaphones for Mickey's white FXR so they would stand out on a movie poster..."acres of chrome". Everyone loved them but the decsion was made to just make a set of drag pipes with 1 1/2" primaries so they would "crackle". The bike pictured above was not Mickey's bike...it's just here to show the pipes we made for Mickey's FXR.
Bartels HD ended up copying these after we made them a few sets. Nothing personal they said. Those are also gone. Hooker also made some copies and the V-Rods ended up looking like these. Only so many way to the skin the....
The white paint job and the Megaphones went away and the bike was raked and made as "raw" as possible which going against the fancy paint jobs everyone with money and no common sense wanted. We got the stroker bike back after Dave Fournier put it in it's final format and made the 1 1/2" drag pipes. Dave may have mentioned that they dropped 40 large ones on it. Dave moved on to Arizona and is probably still a train nut...diesel and steam.
Before the movie guys came to pick up the bike a 3rd gear blast a few blocks from our shop caused a Cop to flip on his lights so we pulled a U-turn and cut behind a gas station and three full throttle turns later we pulled the door down on the shop while the cops flew by. Eventually they figured things out and three patrol cars later and a negotiation with a Police Sergeant ended things when we showed them Mickey?s Registration. Cops like movies. They like extra security gigs and catered food. It's LA. They didn't quite buy the story that "we weren't really running from them" and that we were "just trying to get the battery charged".
Long time ago. Cops have lost their sense of humor these days..go straight to jail. Get towed.
Easyrider Magazin May 97
In dieser Ausgabe werden die technischen Details des 80 CUI Stuntbikes besprochen, das wohl zu dieser Zeit bei einem Harley Händler (Loess Harley at Pacific Junction Iowa) ausgestellt war. Ich denke, das diese Infos die Basis für alle folgenden Nachbauten des Black Death 3 Bikes waren. Ich werde versuchen, das Originalheft zu besorgen. Bis dahin die indirekten Infos:
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man, original bike from the famous movie. Also known as Black Death 3 Yes, this is really That Bike! the bike that started the whole chooper craze and still today one of the most famous bikes ever built. I purchased in1997 from Gene Thomason of Bartell?s Harley Davidson. Tank was initialed on each side and signed by Mickey Rourke. ?Ride Hard Mickey?
HARLEY DAVIDSON ? BLACK DEATH 3
GENERAL
Owner : Bartels? H-D
Fabrication : Gene Thomason, Dave Fournier, Allan Barsi
Year and make : 1989 H-D
Model : FXR
Value : 50 very big ones
Assembly : Bartels? HD
Chroming : Browns/Louie
ENGINE
Year and model : 1989
Rebuilder : Bartels? HD
Displacement : 80 cubic inches
Lower end : stock
Pistons : H-D
Cases : Factory
Heads : H-D
Cam : Bartels? Performance BP40
Carb : S&S Super E
Pipes : handmade 1 1/2-inch straight
TRANSMISSION
Modifications : JayBrake forward controls
PAINT
Molding/primer : Scott Bryan
Special paint : handlettered by unknown
FRAME
Year : 1989
Type : H-D, FXR rubbermount
Modifications : 42-degree rake 11 1/2-inch struts, chromed swingarm
ACCESSORIES
Bars : California Design, 15-degree drag
Headlight : FXST
Taillight : Custom Chrome
Pegs : JayBrake
Electrics : Custom Chrome
Gas tank : 5-gallon, welded together
Oil tank : chromed
Primary cover : H-D
Seat : Don Crager
Mirrors : Rick Doss
Grips : Arlen Ness, grooved
FORKS
Type : FLT
Builder : H-D
Modifications : 6 inches over, FLT sliders
WHEELS
FRONT Type : H-D
Size : 21 inches
Tire : Continental
Rim width : 3 inches
Brake : Performance Machine
REAR Type : H-D
Size : 16 inches
Tire : Metzeler
Rim width : 4 inches
Brake : Performance Machine
Photos : Markus Cuff
HARLEY DAVIDSON & THE MARLBORO MAN
Finally, The Ultimate Lowdown On The Ultimate Low Rider This balls-to-the-wall ?89 FXR has been the subject of more tech spec requests than a Fox Hunt winners? photo-shoot panties. Black Death 3, better known as the Marlboro Man bike, was actor Mickey Rourke?s fourth attempt to capture what he really wanted in a scooter.
Black Death 1 and Black Death 2 were built at Bartels? H-D in Marina Del Rey, California, then scrapped. Next, Mickey had Billy Westbrook build him a scooter, which was later stolen by thieving, gutless, yellow-bellied, scumsucking, sheep-mating b******s.
The best known incarnation of Mickey?s dream bike grew out of his drawing on a cocktail napkin, something he also hoped to be able to use for a prospective movie called ?The Ride.? He handed his drawing to Gene Thomason, Dave Fournier and Allan Barsi at Bartels?, and they brought Black Death 3, the now infamous S&S 98-inch stroker, to life. (Note: this credit was incorrectly attributed to Billy Westbrook in the March ?97 issue of Easyriders, Talkin? Tech, page 38. For the record, Gene, Dave and Allan are the one and only builders, period, end of story. Sorry for the omission, guys.)
Shortly after Black Death 3 was completed, MGM approached Mickey to star in Harley-Davidson and the Marlboro Man. He wanted to ride BD3 in it, so MGM commissioned Gene, Dave and Allan to build a duplicate of the S&S 98-incher.
Mickey?s stroker was used for some opening scenes and basic riding shots, while the duplicate 80-inch version was used as the primary stunt bike. The two sets of specs are identical except for the S&S stroker kit, but don?t think for one minute that the 80-incher doesn?t put the fear of God into ya. I took the thing for a spin, and lemme tell ya, there?s plenty of wallop waitin? to kick your butt in that version. We?ll get to the road reality shortly.
Meanwhile, here?s a recipe for the 80-inch stunt bike that?s had lips smackin? for some time. All parts and part numbers listed (not all details were available) are stock 1989 FXR issue for the various manufactures, unless otherwise noted.
A stainless steel spoked, dual-disc H-D FLT hub (#43404-87) runs dual 11-1/2-inch H-D rotors (#44143-84A Screamin? Eagle, discontinued) with Performance Machine 2-piston calipers (#1220-0018), actuated by JayBrake controls (#06370) through steel-braided Russell brake lines (FXRSP plus 6-inch, dual disc setup) to stop the 3×21-inch Continental tire.
The left front peg is stock H-D, replacing a JayBrake forward control peg busted during a stunt spill; the foot shifter, right front peg, and rear brake pedal are what came stock with the JayBrake forward control kit. According to Gene, the forks are ?FLT plus six inches. That?s how I ordered them.? They have four machined grooves, 2 inches apart on each leg, along with FLT sliders, illuminated by an H-D FXST headlight (#67777-80A).
At the rear, a stainless steel spoked H-D hub (#41020-86) sports an 11-1/2-inch H-D rotor (#91845-85A, Screamin? Eagle, discontinued) and a 2-piston Performance Machine caliper (#1268-0052) connected with a steel braided Russel brake line for stopping the ME 88 Marathon 140/90/16 Metzeler tire.
Cosmetic incidentals include a set of 15-degree, 29-inch wide California Design Superbike drag bars sitting atop 6-inch straight risers, sporting billet Ness grips (#07-100), a practicaly one-off Rick Doss 2-inch wide mirror, ?60s-style Custom Chrome switches (high-low beams on left, #25-534, start button on right with no kill switch, #25-533) and a Barnett steel braided clutch cable.
The H-D speedo sits in a catseye ?30s-style Custom Chrome dash (#26-189), complimented by a Custom Chrome Lucas-style taillight (#19-647, closest known match). The whole shebang is attached to a modified ?89 FXR rubbermount frame with 42 degrees of rake, no stretch, and a chromed swingarm assembly.
At the frame?s rear, a pair of solid, handmade steel 11-1/2 inch long, 1/2-inch wide struts (moved 2 inches forward at the frame) replaced the stock shocks, lowering the rig a full 2 inches. The fender strut mounting portion of the frame was amputated in favor of abrupt line termination, leaving an unobstructed view of what barely passes for a rear fender and seat.
The rear fender is actually a single piece of hand-formed metal (resting atop the frame), hinged through the struts that doubles as a seat pan, 23 inches long and 13 inches wide, with rolled edges only on the back end (5 inches wide).
The Don Crager seat is a 1/2-inch thick, 8-inch wide, 13-inch long strip of black leather with orange and yellow trim, wrapped around a thin piece of metal that is Velcroed to the 11-inch wide portion of the seat pan. Remove the seat, unscrew one screw, raise the fender/pan, and you?ve got access to the battery.
The frame?s finish consists of some primer-covered, Scott Bryan bondo work at the neck (to just below the 5-gallon, unfinished Softail gas tanks with a 6-inch plate down the middle), and some primer running from the tanks to the rear struts, then down 1 inch below the seat. The rest of the frame is factory black.
The hand-lettered playing cards on the tanks were done by an unrevealed artist, depicting initials of Mickey Rourke?s friends.
The stock ?89 tranny runs a stock H-D chain primary and 1-3/4-inch H-D belt final drive. The chrome, 3-quart oil tank is fed with all stock rubber lines.
Up front, an 80-inch Evo pumps a Bartels? BP-40 series cam and an S&S Super E carb (using a clear fuel line, with an S&S air cleaner) that blasts out af a set of one-off, unchromed oval-cut 1-1/2-inch pipes.
The H-D barrel fins have been machined with a V?For Victory?look, but the rest of the motor is virtually stock, except for the H-D ignition that fires through Spiro-Pro, 8mm, siliconplug wires and H-D 5R6A spark plugs (front and rear). The front cylinder wire is yellow, and the rear is orange, with KuryAkyn (orange front, yellow rear) plug-firing laser nodes. When you fire it, the thing sounds in real life like it does in the movie: awesome.
You sit a mere 24 inches off the ground, with all of 4-5/8 inches clearence, and a 70-1/2-inch wheelbase that requires steering from the shoulders, with plenty of counterweight needed on the pegs to keep steady in slow turns. Open it up, and you?ll need more than bread crumbs to find your way home?
For you high rollers, Black Death 3′s price tag stands at 50 grand in a paper bag. If you?re the serious sort, call Gene Thomason at (310) 821-3626. Then after you close the deal, fire up the beast, go find The Man, and give him a stink-finger salute as you pop a block-long wheelie. Doin? anything less on this bike just wouldn?t be right. It might even get you in pictures.
-David Aldridge; Easyriders May 1997 issue, page 64-67.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102005/trivia
The Harley Davidson (Black Death 3) was a 1989 FXLR, not an FXR (from original invoice) the third of four bikes to be built, by Bartels of Marina Del Ray in California, the first two (BD1, BD2)were scrapped, a third unrelated bike was built by Billy Westbrook for Mickey Rourke, and was promptly stolen.
The bike we know as Black Death 3 (BD3) was the product of a sketch on a napkin Mickey used to draw on and built by Bartels, who built BD1+2.
The fourth bike (BD4) was ordered from Bartels as a stunt bike, by MGM when Mickey wanted to use BD3 in the movie, and BD4 is on display at Loess Harley at Pacific Junction Iowa, who bought it off Gene Thomason, who bought it off MGM prophouse in 1995 for $12,000 and was one of the three builders, Gene, Dave Fournier and Allan Barsi at Bartels.
BD4 bike, a standard engined bike was used for most of the movie, while BD3, fitted with a potent 98" Sidewinder Stroker kit was used in some scenes, if you crank the throttle hard, hang on tight, real tight on BD3.
Chuck Zito an actor, stuntman and Hells Angel crashed BD3 at Pelham Bay on October 1999, and it was run over by a car. Zito claims to still own the bike, as claimed in his book. There are some differences between the bikes in the movie, the BD4 with black pipes and standard engine and BD3 with chrome pipes and sidewinder kit. Black Death 3 is the bike most people think was the movie bike.
Der Originalartikel aus Easyrider Magazin May 97
Ich habe inzwischen eines dieser Hefte in der Bucht ersteigern können. Hier die hochauflösenden Scans der entsprechenden Seiten im Download Bereich: https://g-homeserver.com/downloads.php?do=cat&id=3