Ben Hardy's "Captain America"
The history of the African American biker scene is rich with visionaries and revolutionaries. Ben Hardy, a pioneering figure, built the iconic "Captain America" and 'Billy' choppers for the classic film Easy Rider. His shop, Hardy’s Motorcycle Service, was located at 1168 E. Florence in Los Angeles.
Peter Fonda, the producer of Easy Rider, hired Cliff Vaughs to coordinate the motorcycles, who then tapped Hardy for the actual construction. They used four former police Harley Davidson HydraGlides, modified with extended forks and altered steering angles to create the unique chopper style.
One "Captain America" bike was demolished in the final scene, while the others were stolen. The demolished bike was rebuilt and later sold at auction. There is a claim that the 'extended fork' chopper style originated with Black riders and artisans, a fascinating possibility that challenges traditional narratives.
Celebrate this groundbreaking contribution to motorcycle culture with our "Captain America" Tribute Tee.
The history of the African American biker scene is rich with visionaries and revolutionaries. Ben Hardy, a pioneering figure, built the iconic "Captain America" and 'Billy' choppers for the classic film Easy Rider. His shop, Hardy’s Motorcycle Service, was located at 1168 E. Florence in Los Angeles.
Peter Fonda, the producer of Easy Rider, hired Cliff Vaughs to coordinate the motorcycles, who then tapped Hardy for the actual construction. They used four former police Harley Davidson HydraGlides, modified with extended forks and altered steering angles to create the unique chopper style.
One "Captain America" bike was demolished in the final scene, while the others were stolen. The demolished bike was rebuilt and later sold at auction. There is a claim that the 'extended fork' chopper style originated with Black riders and artisans, a fascinating possibility that challenges traditional narratives.
Celebrate this groundbreaking contribution to motorcycle culture with our "Captain America" Tribute Tee.
The history of the African American biker scene is rich with visionaries and revolutionaries. Ben Hardy, a pioneering figure, built the iconic "Captain America" and 'Billy' choppers for the classic film Easy Rider. His shop, Hardy’s Motorcycle Service, was located at 1168 E. Florence in Los Angeles.
Peter Fonda, the producer of Easy Rider, hired Cliff Vaughs to coordinate the motorcycles, who then tapped Hardy for the actual construction. They used four former police Harley Davidson HydraGlides, modified with extended forks and altered steering angles to create the unique chopper style.
One "Captain America" bike was demolished in the final scene, while the others were stolen. The demolished bike was rebuilt and later sold at auction. There is a claim that the 'extended fork' chopper style originated with Black riders and artisans, a fascinating possibility that challenges traditional narratives.
Celebrate this groundbreaking contribution to motorcycle culture with our "Captain America" Tribute Tee.