1936 harley davidson – a wild one indeed, fuel curve

The Wild One Harley Davidson

Nestled in the back of a California shop surrounded by motorcycles, a hoist, and some old car parts, sits a piece of motorcycle movie history, The Wild One Harley Davidson. No red ropes, no lights, no million-dollar alarm system. Most would think it’s just an old motorcycle sitting in the corner.

But the modified 1936 Harley-Davidson VLD belonged to Don Fera, a World War II fighter pilot, who raced it at TT tracks and hill climbs all over Southern California in the 1940s and early ’50s before landing a job as a stunt rider. Little did Fera know that his skills would also land him and his bike in a classic motorcycle movie.

the wild one harley davidson, fuel curve

the wild one harley davidson, fuel curve

The Wild One Harley Davidson had just the right look, and Fera was an accomplished rider, so they were a perfect fit for The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler. The legendary movie is considered to be the original outlaw biker film and is based on the motorcycle rally in Hollister, California, that got out of hand on Fourth of July weekend in 1947. Motorcycle enthusiasts believe the film helped ignite the legend of the Hollister riot.

the wild one harley davidson, fuel curve

The Wild One Harley Davidson is a great representation from the golden age of motorcycle racing. While the engine displacement is unknown (possibly 74 or 80) the Harley is powered by a modified engine with later Harley UL flathead barrels and heads. The bike is equipped with Harley WR racing gas tanks (gas on one side and oil on the other), a hand-shifter and a custom exhaust pipe.

the wild one harley davidson, fuel curve

1936 harley davidson, fuel curve

The VLD frame and front end are stock, but the 1936 Harley Davidson has rare VL Flanders risers and handlebars. The bike sports a stock VL 19-inch rear wheel fitted with a stock VL rear brake. The front wheel is a 20-inch rim with a VL front brake hub. (A 19-inch rim is stock.) Fera also added a Harley WR seat and Harley foot boards. This motorcycle has done it all; it’s been raced, jumped, flipped and crashed and still has the original paint.

1936 harley davidson, fuel curve

The bike remained in the Fera family after Don’s passing and has never been altered. A few years ago they finally sold it to a friend of a friend who knew the bike had tons of history and wanted to keep it intact. One of the most-asked questions is, “Does it still run?” The answer: “It’s pretty quick for an old flathead.” The way you see the bike now is how it has been since the early ’50s and just like it appeared in 1953, during the filming of The Wild One. This rarely seen 1936 Harley Davidson VLD will always be a part of motorcycle — and Hollywood — history.

the wild one harley davidson, fuel curve

Growing up just miles from Fremont Drag Strip where his father both worked and raced throughout the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, Marc Gewertz was exposed to the excitement, color, and pageantry of hot rodding at an early age. During junior high, he began taking his Nikon camera to the dragstrip to capture the action and the people behind all those fast cars. With a penchant for being in the right place at the right time, he quickly developed a reputation as being one of rac­ing’s rising young photographic talents.