Crusty Trucker Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/enthusiasts/remembering-fonzies-motorcycles-from-happy-days/ar-AA12vDOR?ocid=mailsignout&li=BBnb7Kz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkhammer Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 We were just at the Gilmore Auto Museum in Michigan a couple weeks ago where the silver Triumph is on display. The sign claimed that Henry Winkler was not an experienced rider and actually dropped and damaged the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 Henry Winkler was an incredibly gifted actor, and artist extraordinaire! He, personally, was nothing like the Fonz character he played on "Happy Days". He just had a way of understanding and becoming his character in very believable and entertaining ways. I saw him on an interview show early in the "Happy Days" run, where he talked about the scene in the opening credits where he raises his hand while riding the motorcycle. He told how "Right about here I am crapping my pants in terror!" (I am sure he was exaggerating a bit?) He told how with the help of stage hands he got started and rolled about thirty feet before he lost control and hit something. But the segment was long enough and good enough to be used in the show's opening. For me, I appreciate good story telling. Film history is another of my passions. I really enjoyed watching many of his other acting roles. I like a lot of his other characterizations much more than the Fonzy thing for which he became so well known. I felt some disappointment myself when he went into directing and producing, just knowing we would see less of his character portrayals. However, his natural talent directing and producing numerous films and tv work has entertained millions of people over the years. His occasional guest appearances on tv shows are still a treat. I have always enjoyed seeing him on tv talk shows (which I rarely ever watch!), when I have seen him on them. There are very few modern era actors that I am impressed by in a positive sense. Most of them I think are spoiled brats or total idiots. But if I had a good opportunity to meet and visit with Henry Winkler? I would want to jump at the chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted October 2, 2022 Share Posted October 2, 2022 I believe he got the role because of his part in Lords of Flatbush. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 He was great in "Better Late Than Never". Just being himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 He has been exceptional in the series “Barry“. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lahti35 Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 16 hours ago, pkhammer said: We were just at the Gilmore Auto Museum in Michigan a couple weeks ago where the silver Triumph is on display. The sign claimed that Henry Winkler was not an experienced rider and actually dropped and damaged the bike. I was watching a video on youtube a few days ago and saw the same thing... As the FONZ would say: "Step into my office, Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAKerry Posted October 3, 2022 Share Posted October 3, 2022 I grew up watching Happy Days, the Fonz was my favorite character. I rode many a lap around the field on my Kawasaki 100 thinking I was as cool as he was! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisted Shifter Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 (edited) On 10/2/2022 at 12:26 PM, pkhammer said: We were just at the Gilmore Auto Museum in Michigan a couple weeks ago where the silver Triumph is on display. The sign claimed that Henry Winkler was not an experienced rider and actually dropped and damaged the bike. On 10/2/2022 at 1:12 PM, wayne sheldon said: I saw him on an interview show early in the "Happy Days" run, where he talked about the scene in the opening credits where he raises his hand while riding the motorcycle. He told how "Right about here I am crapping my pants in terror!" (I am sure he was exaggerating a bit?) He told how with the help of stage hands he got started and rolled about thirty feet before he lost control and hit something. But the segment was long enough and good enough to be used in the show's opening. From the article posted in the first fourm post above: "For Fonzie's regular ride, the classic '50s motorcycle brand Triumph was chosen. The Fonz spent his time straddling a 1949 Triumph TR5 Trophy. (And he really was just straddling it; Winkler didn't know how to ride a motorcycle and spent his time simply sitting on the Triumph as it was parked on a street-side, sat in the doorway of the diner, or towed along the road for scenes in which Fonzie was riding it)." Edited October 6, 2022 by Twisted Shifter (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivguy Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 In the early episodes of the show he rode a Knucklehead Harley chopper. Later it was changed to that non descript Triumph. Initially he had a more fearsome personality. I think they watered down his personality and gave him a "milder" bike, to make his character more "acceptable" to the viewing public. Real bikers rode Harleys then, I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racknote Posted October 6, 2022 Share Posted October 6, 2022 Lol Back in the days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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