If there are two things Chris Kramer, who stars as Morgan Pym on the hit TV show The Collector, and his dad Vern have in common, it's bikes -- and birthdays.

Born on the same day (May 14th), the two struck me as down-to-earth normal guys with a love of bikes and a quiet respect for each other.

The story is a familiar one for 50-somethings getting back into riding after a long dry spell.

Vern gave it all up in 1976 when the kids came along and hadn't sat astride a Harley in 30 years. That is until this past September.

Vern had taken off to visit Chris's sister in Calgary and, on arriving home, had a funny feeling that something was just a bit different.

"I opened up the garage, and there it was."

It was a brand spanking new Harley FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide from Trev Deeley Harley-Davidson, bought for him courtesy of his son's successful acting career, and big heart.

"I jumped up and down and got on the phone to Chris right away."

The bike is a numbered replica of Willie G. Davidson's 1971 Super Glide, with a paint scheme, big twin engine, narrow front end, and the famed #1 logo emblazoned on the tank, just like the original.

Vern Kramer's bikes over the years have been many, starting with two army-issue Harley 45s when he was just a kid.

"I saved up the money and, by the time I was 15, I had bought both of them."

Introduced in 1929, the Harley 45 was the company's first entry into the 45-cubic-inch (750-cc) class. And although the model designation changed over the years, this same basic engine design survived in the Harley lineup through 1973.

Vern's 45s were followed by a 1947 chopper with a 74-cubic-inch Knucklehead engine (yes, it still had the stick shift on the side, and no front brake), a '62 Panhead chopper and a 1977 FXE Super Glide.

"It's nice to be able to afford to do these things for my dad now," said Chris of his surprise.

As with most acting careers though, the four years pre-Collector after Chris had abandoned a career in the oil industry (he did grow up in Alberta after all), were typical ones for an actor, lived by doing ordinary jobs between auditions.

"I used to clean windows at this coffee shop at 6th and Arbutus [in Vancouver] when I was broke," said Chris. "To this day I go there every morning for coffee and still cleaned Amanda's windows until recently. You never know in this business when it's going to end."

The end doesn't appear to be in sight though for the 30-year-old and his immortal "messenger of darkness" character, Morgan Pym. The Collector has just been given the go-ahead to develop season four and is seen in 66 countries around the world.

In between filming in Greater Vancouver, Chris spends four months at a time in L.A meeting with casting directors and working hard on his career.

So what does he ride? Of course, I had to ask.

"I rode dirt bikes as a kid," he said with a grin. "I used to ride my Honda CR80 across a field and ditch it under a bush on my way to school."

Ah, the good ol' days.

The Collector put him through motorcycle training at the B.C. Safety Council and now Chris rides a slick silver and black Buell Lightning for the show.

His dream bike?

"I'd have to say a custom chopper." I might have guessed.

You can catch The Collector Tuesday nights at 8 on City TV.
 

Chris Kramer (standing) bought his father Vern Kramer (seated on bike) a Harley-Davidson FXDI 35th Anniversary Super Glide. Photograph by : Jon Murray, The Province