What is the brand and the model of the motorcycle ridden by River
Phoenix and Keanu Reeves in the Gus Van Sant movie My Own Private Idaho?
Was it originally manifactured in yellow?

Dear Matteoc, 

The motorcycle is a Norton Commando 850cc from '74, that was owned
(and maybe is still owned) by Mr. Reeves. Bikes are apparently Keanu's
hobby and he also owns others. Many Keanu fan-sites mention his love
for motorcycles and this motorcycle in particular:

Keanu Reeves~~ Top Floor (www.geocities.com/keanugallery/Keanu.html)
-"Hobbies, hockey, his motorcycles, ballroom dancing, chess, horseback
riding ... Vehicle, 1996 black Porsche, 1974 Norton Combat
Commando..."

Keanu Reeves & Dogstar - Fan Homepage - Keanu Reeves
(www.reeves-dogstar.com/dogstar_keanu.html) - "He owns two Norton
Commandos"

KeanuWeb: Stats (http://keanuweb.com/reports/stats.html) "Riding his 2
Norton Motorcycles: a 1974 Combat Commando 850 and a 1972 Commando
750, although he collided with a mountain once. This resulted into a
prominent scar that runs from his chest to his navel. It has been
reported that he also owns a Moto Guzzi and a dirt bike. He recently
bought a shiny black porsche breaking local speed limits."

Norton is a British vintage motorcycle, that has it own fan pages
(http://website.lineone.net/~alan.shaw/norton828.htm).
See also Google Directory:
http://directory.google.com/Top/Recreation/Motorcycles/Manufacturers/Norton/?tc=1

Search strategy: I began by searching the film's name, with the
addition "motorcycle". I searched also Google Groups
(groups.google.com), because I figured this is one of this things only
those who really dig bikes ought to know. I was not wrong: the answer
appeared at the newsgroup rec.motorcycles
(http://makeashorterlink.com/?T23C63023), and was later verified with
searches on this particular term (norton or "norton commando") with
Reeves' or the film's name.

I hope that answered your question. Please contact me if you need any
further clarifications on this answer. I'd be pleased to clarify my
answer before you rate it.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by matteoc-ga on 17 Jan 2003 07:26 PST

Dear Politicalguru,

thanks for answering the first part of the question, but you missed
the second part regarding the color of the bike. It is very important
for me to know if the bike was originally manifactured in yellow or if
it was repainted. This may require a more in depth knowledge of Norton
history.

I will wait for your reply to rate the answer.

---

Clarification of Answer by politicalguru-ga on 17 Jan 2003 07:39 PST

Dear Matteoc, 

Let me apologise for the mistake. 

In general, colour was an option and the 1974 Norton Commanders were
originally produced in yellow alongside other colours.

See more information about it at: 
Big Bob, "Re: I know this is off topic..." rec.motorcycles
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V51E52023

norton1@micron.net "72 Norton Commando Custom Cafe bike"
rec.motorcycles http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y13E52023

Search terms used: norton, motorcycle, yellow, commando.