Like many enthusiasts, I’ve been captivated by the iconic bike from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. My recent project involved meticulously researching and recreating a replica of the very bike that graced the silver screen. During this deep dive into the world of movie props and vintage bicycles, I stumbled upon something truly remarkable – a bike with a genuine connection to the film itself. Fortuitously, I was able to acquire this piece of cinematic history, and before sharing the details, I wanted to conduct thorough research to understand its origins. This journey led me to uncover fascinating details about the creation of the Pee-wee Herman bike for the movie and the potential story behind my newly acquired treasure.
The Genesis of an Icon: Pedal Pusher and the Schwinn DX
The story of the Pee-wee Herman bike begins at Pedal Pusher, a bike shop in Newport Beach. It was there that the original bike, which would inspire the movie’s visual identity, was purchased. This very bicycle is immortalized on the movie’s script cover and the iconic poster. However, the poster image underwent airbrushing to achieve the specific look of the bike as seen in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
As production ramped up, a decision was made to order thirteen identical bikes from Pedal Pusher. Charlie Churchill, who worked at Pedal Pusher during that time, provided invaluable details about these builds: each bike was powder coated in a vibrant red and equipped with distinctive components. These included large Wald handlebars, Union pedals, and “donkey” style grips. Adding to their classic look, Schwinn racks and chainguards were standard. For models lacking built-in kickstands, Greenfield stands were used. Interestingly, the production team later returned to Pedal Pusher for additional accessories, seeking out mudflaps, bells, streamers, and mirrors to further customize the bikes for the film.
The opening scene of the Tour De France in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure offers a glimpse into the base model used: a plain red Schwinn DX, forming the foundation for the movie’s memorable ride.
From Prop House to Screen: Outfitting the Movie Bikes
The thirteen Schwinn bikes were delivered to a prop house to be transformed into the elaborate Pee-wee Herman bikes we know and love. It was here that the iconic tanks, bags, sirens, and other distinctive elements were added. Speaking with a former prop house employee involved in creating the bags and guards, I learned that likely no more than four sets of bags were produced. Intriguingly, the original set of bags seen in the movie’s opening sequence remains lost to time. My research at the Academy of Motion Pictures library, reviewing production photos, further suggests that fully kitted-out bikes were not as numerous as one might imagine.
Insights from the Propmaster of Big Adventure revealed more about the bike preparation process. The bikes were delivered without tanks or accessories. For each custom part, a single prototype was created to facilitate mass production of copies. Although fourteen bikes were used in total, budget constraints meant that not all were fully outfitted simultaneously. It appears that the “Tarzan/House jump bike” was likely built directly by the production team, explaining the presence of an extra bike beyond the initial thirteen ordered from Pedal Pusher. To manage resources, parts were often swapped between bikes as needed.
Examining My Discovery: A Bike with Movie Pedigree?
Turning attention to the bike I acquired, meticulous examination reveals a striking consistency with the screen-used bikes. Every component, down to unique markings on the springer fork and stem bolt, aligns perfectly. The seemingly random mix of parts used on both my bike and those seen on screen is too specific to be mere coincidence. A former Pedal Pusher employee who worked on the original movie bikes corroborated this, confirming that all parts are consistent with those used in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
Based on this evidence, I believe my bike is indeed one of those built for the film, though perhaps it was never fully kitted out with all the accessories.
The Tank’s Tale
One of the most compelling aspects of my bike is the tank. Constructed from cast fiberglass with internal wood supports, it mirrors the screen-used tanks in its construction. This tank also exhibits filled holes, precisely where switches were located on the movie bikes, along with a notch cut for cable routing. Intriguingly, there are indications of two layers of white paint, hinting that this tank could very well be a screen-used component. While definitive proof remains elusive, the details are certainly suggestive.
Currently, I’ve chosen to preserve the bike’s unrestored condition. My additions – a siren, light, and sign – are easily reversible and intended to evoke the pre-airbrushed poster bike aesthetic. The temptation to fully outfit it with bags and other accessories is strong, but for now, I appreciate it as a fascinating artifact of movie history. Sometimes, the most rewarding discoveries emerge from the depths of dedicated research!
Detail of Schwinn parts used on Pee-wee Herman movie bikes, including Wald bars and Union pedals.
Close-up on Schwinn accessories for Pee-wee Herman bike replicas, featuring chainguard and rack.
Zoomed view of stem bolt detail, a unique identifier on Pee-wee Herman screen-used bikes.
A special thank you to Charlie Churchill for his generous assistance and information, which was crucial in piecing together this story.
