Peter Fonda's 1969 Easy Rider Chopper
The motorcycle most people picture when they hear "Captain America bike" wasn't built by Harley-Davidson at all. It was a custom chopper assembled for the 1969 Dennis Hopper film Easy Rider, ridden by Peter Fonda's character Wyatt — nicknamed "Captain America" for the American flag fuel tank he carried his stash inside.
The bikes were built by Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy, two Black custom builders working in South Los Angeles, from retired LAPD Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide panheads. Four nearly identical machines were built for production — two "hero" bikes for close-up shots and two backups. Three were reportedly stolen from the production lot during filming and never recovered. The surviving "wreck" bike, used in the film's climactic crash scene, has changed hands several times since and was listed at $1.35 million at the 2014 Profiles in History auction.
What makes the bike instantly recognizable isn't a single feature — it's the combination: a hardtail rigid frame, an extended girder front end with tall ape-hanger bars, a small teardrop fuel tank painted with the American flag, the seat hung low and far back, and no front fender. Every element is custom. Nothing factory.
The Harley-Davidson Captain America Tribute
In September 2013, Harley-Davidson unveiled a custom-built motorcycle in partnership with Marvel Studios to promote the upcoming film Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Unlike the 1969 chopper, this was a factory-supported build using a current production Harley platform, finished in a matte military-style livery rather than flag stripes.
The 2013 unveiling was a marketing collaboration rather than a production model. The one-off custom toured comic conventions and motorcycle shows during the film's promotional run. Harley-Davidson did not put a "Captain America Edition" into mass production, which makes the show bike itself a collector's piece — though one with nowhere near the cultural weight of the Easy Rider chopper.
Contemporary Captain America Tributes
Patriotic paint schemes and stars-and-stripes detailing have stayed in the Harley custom vocabulary continuously since 1969. You'll see the look show up on factory specials and one-off shop builds alike. The Breakout Hard Candy Custom FXSB and similar platforms have proven especially popular base bikes for flag-themed customs — the wide rear tire, blacked-out controls, and aggressive rake give the right silhouette.
The categories of patriotic Harley customs typically split into three:
- Faithful tribute builds — chopped hardtails styled after the Easy Rider bike, usually on a Shovelhead or Evo platform rather than a true panhead. Builders prioritize the silhouette over period accuracy.
- Modern flag-themed touring bikes — Road Glide, Street Glide, or Ultra platforms with custom flag paint, leather accents, and patriotic trim. Common on veterans' rides and Memorial Day events.
- Minimalist patriotic accents — production Harleys with bolt-on flag accessories (mounts, grips, seat detailing) rather than full custom paint. The most accessible option for owners who want the look without committing to a paint job.
Patriotic Parts and Accessories
If you're inspired by the Captain America aesthetic and want to add patriotic touches to your own bike, you don't need a full custom paint job to capture the spirit. Here's where to start:
American Flag Mounts and Accessories
The single-most-impactful change you can make to a touring bike: a proper flag mount attached to the sissy bar or saddlebag guard. Pair it with a weather-rated flag and you've transformed the bike's profile in under an hour of installation work. We stock a range of V-twin sissy bar accessories compatible with most Harley touring models.
Tires Built for Harley Cruisers
A clean patriotic build deserves tires that look the part. We carry Harley-Davidson specific tire kits including the Dunlop Harley-Davidson D401 front and rear tire kit — the OEM-spec replacement for most touring and cruiser models. White-wall variants are also available for builders going for the classic American look.
Seat Upgrades
Solo seats with patriotic detailing — flag-themed stitching, distressed brown leather, stars-and-stripes piping — finish the look. Browse our motorcycle seat covers for options that fit Harley touring and cruiser platforms without requiring full seat replacement.
Browse Harley-Davidson Parts by Bike
Looking for parts that fit your specific Harley? Start at our Harley-Davidson aftermarket parts page and drill down by model — we stock fitment for Sportster, Softail, Dyna, Touring, and CVO platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Harley-Davidson actually make a Captain America motorcycle?
Harley-Davidson has been associated with the Captain America name twice. The original 1969 Easy Rider chopper was a custom build on a retired Hydra-Glide panhead frame, not a factory model. In 2013, Harley-Davidson partnered with Marvel Studios on a custom bike to promote Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Harley does not currently sell a production model called the Captain America Edition.
Is the Easy Rider Captain America chopper a real Harley?
Yes. The 1969 chopper ridden by Peter Fonda's character Wyatt was custom-built by Cliff Vaughs and Ben Hardy from a retired Los Angeles Police Department Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide panhead. Four nearly identical bikes were built for the production. Three were stolen during filming and never recovered; the surviving "wreck" bike used in the crash scene has been sold and auctioned multiple times since.
How much is the original Easy Rider Captain America bike worth?
Authenticated versions of the surviving Easy Rider Captain America chopper have sold at auction for over $1 million. The 2014 Profiles in History auction listed the bike at $1.35 million. Replicas and tribute builds are far more accessible — typically $20,000 to $80,000 depending on quality and components.
Where can I buy American flag motorcycle parts and accessories?
Chaparral Motorsports stocks a wide selection of patriotic motorcycle accessories including American flag mounts, stars-and-stripes paint accents, seat covers, fairing graphics, and grips. Browse our Harley-Davidson aftermarket parts catalog and our motorcycle accessories section for current selection.
