McQueen's character steals an army motorcycle from a German soldier (played by McQueen himself), but the motorcycle was actually a 1961 Triumph TR6 Trophy, thinly disguised to look like a German BMW R75. Everyone is bound to recall that McQueen's character (Capt Hilts) does not succeed in escaping.
James Coburn's character is one of the very few who actually escapes. Warned by some instinct not to take the train, he instead appropriates a bicycle, cutting the chain using a pair of homemade wire cutters, and simply rides away. The bike is rather utilitarian in appearance, with upright handlebars, a rear rack, and possibly three-speed internal gearing, and perhaps a bit small for the lanky Coburn. He eventually abandons the bike, and after several adventures stumbles across the French underground, who help him across the Spanish border on foot.
John Hurley Austin, Texas, USA
-----Original Message----- From: Mark Fulton [mailto:markfulton5@mac.com] Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 8:10 PM To: John Hurley Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR] Bicycles as Movie Props
John wrote: "One more film I'll mention is "The Great Escape". What was that bike that James Coburn's character rode to freedom? I think the frame was a bit small for him."
That was Steve McQueen and the bike was a Triumph motorcycle. At least I think it was a Triumph.
Mark Fulton
Redwood City
California
USA