Indy Dave Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 (edited) The Original Caption for this photo: The motorcycle racer Roland Free lies horizontally on his bike (to reduce wind resistance) as he breaks the world speed record on Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats on September 13, 1948. EDIT: To protect himself and allow comfort when in such a position, Free had developed special protective clothing. However, when his leathers tore from early runs at 147 mph (237 km/h), he discarded them and made a final attempt without jacket, pants, gloves, boots or helmet. Free lay flat on the motorcycle wearing only a bathing suit, a shower cap, and a pair of borrowed sneakers – inspired by friend Ed Kretz. This resulted not only in the record, but also one of the most famous photographs in motorcycling history, the "bathing suit bike" shot taken from a speeding car alongside his run on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Edited June 25, 2019 by Indy Dave Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 Neglected to mention the bike is a Vincent Black Lightning prototype. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollie_Free 1 Link to comment
Oldironken Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 And he created the planking fitness craze at the same time... 1 Link to comment
Endobob Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 With the explanations, I would have thought this was a photoshopped picture. Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 In my office, I have small posters of two other famous motorcycle photos: Roadog Gary Nixon I've been meaning to add Rollie Free to my collection. Thanks for the reminder. 1 Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 So if Rollie Free's almost-naked speed run is one of the most famous photos in motorcycling history, what are the others? I've pointed out Roadog and Gary Nixon above. Any other nominees? Link to comment
LBump Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 Bud Ekins from the Great Escape. He jumped the barbed wire fence for Steve McQueen in the last scene. 1 Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 3 hours ago, LBump said: Bud Ekins from the Great Escape. He jumped the barbed wire fence for Steve McQueen in the last scene. On his German Army Triumph. Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 (edited) Other famous ones from movies: Marlon Brando in the The Wild One, and Fonda and Hopper in Easy Rider. Any picture of Evel Knievel. The staged photo from the Hollister rally in LIFE magazine of the guy on the Harley surrounded by empty beer bottles. The photo of David Baker with his face all smushed up in his helmet. Edited July 26, 2019 by Bill_Walker Added photo Link to comment
LBump Posted July 26, 2019 Share Posted July 26, 2019 You're talking about the Howard Van Pelt image of Brando... very popular 1 Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 On 7/26/2019 at 3:48 PM, Bill_Walker said: The photo of David Baker with his face all smushed up in his helmet. OMG, I know I've got that one somewhere in my collection. That's the one that got made into a business card for "Ridin' Smart Lessuns", with a stack of them quietly left in the hotel lobby at one of our Smoky-Mountain events. 1 Link to comment
Whip Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 On 7/26/2019 at 8:27 AM, Joe Frickin' Friday said: So if Rollie Free's almost-naked speed run is one of the most famous photos in motorcycling history, what are the others? I've pointed out Roadog and Gary Nixon above. Any other nominees? 1 Link to comment
AZgman Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 Tom Cruise ist verboten! 1 Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 13 hours ago, Whip said: Quite the coincidence, you posting this pic on the day Peter Fonda died. As for this shot: 13 hours ago, Whip said: Does it even count? I mean he's not actually riding; that thing is hard-mounted to a trailer. 1 Link to comment
LBump Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Wow... P Fonda passed on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. That's coincidence... My area is starting to diminish... sad for anyone that is a part of the 60's generation. RIP 1 Link to comment
wbw6cos Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 7 hours ago, Joe Frickin' Friday said: As for this shot: Does it even count? I mean he's not actually riding; that thing is hard-mounted to a trailer. Yeah, you can see the tie-down hook on the left fork. Plus, for riding at speed to race the jet, he has the clutch pulled in. Must be in the middle of a gear change. Link to comment
RandyShields Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 RIP Peter Fonda. Great memories. Link to comment
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