Peter Fonda? No, it's Penn Hills' Mike Colaizzi on "Captain America", his replica of the chopped Harley Fonda
rode in EASY RIDER (1969).
When EASY RIDER was released in 1969, Mike Colaizzi was in the U.S. Air Force, stationed near Fairbanks, Alaska.
He enjoyed the movie, always remembered it, but never thought he'd ever have a virtual replica of "Captain America", the Harley
Peter Fonda rode in the movie.
"Captain America" also refers to Fonda's movie character, as deleted scenes had introduced him and co-star Dennis
Hopper as daredevil motorcycle carnival riders.
"A few years ago I started getting re-interested in the movie," said Mike, a 1967 graduate of Penn HIlls High,
former member of R&B recording band "The Electrons", and now caseworker with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Public Assistance.
"Through the internet I got in touch with a bike builder in northern Arizona and in December of '03, the "rolling Chassis"
was delivered--without motor".
Mike then had to obtain a reliable motor of the same early era--quite a feat, since Harley Davidson hasn't made
that engine model (nicknamed a "Panhead") since 1965.
Cradling the Panhead is an early Harley "wishbone" frame, also in the same era as the original. Although this
frame and other parts came chromed from the builder, Mike invested thousands more in additional chrome, parts, and fabrication
by Tommarrello Cycle of Plum. He then completely rewired his bike to have it more resemble the original. "I also had to add
a front brake and fender to pass PA inspection" Mike adds. "The original didn't have enough, but in the interest of safety,
I installed a front disc brake".
But Colaizzi's interest in the movie doesn't stop at having a replica. In 2003 he and his girlfriend Barbara
Barnett (Penn Hills Class of '69) toured the southwest on his touring Harley, visiting most of the original filming locations.
"Most of them are still around, although some such as the diner used in the "no-service" scene with Jack Nicholson,
no longer exist," Mike notes. "It was fun in Louisana, meeting some of the original locals Dennis Hopper cast, such as the
"driver" of the pickup truck used in the final sequence". But again, his connection to the movie doesn't stop here. The Arizona
custom motorcycle builder he bought the bike from has since built a Captain America for EASY RIDER II, a long-awaited sequel
whose filming is to begin in 2006. The builder's association with the producer might get Mike a bit part in this movie if
he has the time to fly to a filming location, hang around the set and then patiently wait to be called. Colaizzi is both excited
and skeptical about this, as he knows how daily movie production can be endlessly delayed, rearranged, and postponed.
"I give my chances of winding up in the released movie at about one-half of one percent, " he laughed. Future
movie extra or not, Mike rides this replica around the area. Look for that Peter Fonda smile on Mike's face and Fonda's actual
signature on his stars and stripes gas tank. "When I ride that bike, I feel I am Captain America." (He can be reached
at macolaizzi@aol.com)
