Current Location of Pee Wee Herman's Bike
The original bike from Pee Wee's Big Adventure is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., as part of the entertainment history collection. The museum acquired the bike through a donation from the production team, and it remains a featured piece in the popular culture exhibit. For details on the museum's current exhibits, you can check the official Smithsonian page. The bike is displayed alongside other iconic movie props, highlighting its role in 1980s pop culture and its enduring legacy in film memorabilia.
In addition to the Smithsonian display, a replica of the bike used in the film is housed at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in Burbank, California. This replica is part of a rotating collection of props from classic films and is available for public viewing during studio tour hours. The studio store also sells officially licensed merchandise featuring the bike, which contributes to the ongoing commercial presence of the Pee Wee Herman franchise. The exact location within the studio store can be confirmed on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour website.
History and Auction Details
The bike was originally designed by production designer Barry Robison for the 1985 film Pee Wee's Big Adventure, directed by Tim Burton. It was built as a custom prop using a Schwinn Paramount frame and various aftermarket parts to create the distinctive red and white look. The bike was not street-legal and was created specifically for the film's stunt sequences and close-up shots. After the film's success, the original prop was retained by the production company and later entered private collections before being donated to the Smithsonian.
The bike has not been offered at public auction in recent years, but it was previously appraised at over $100,000 during a private sale discussion in the early 2000s. The value was based on its screen-used status, condition, and provenance from the film. No official sale records have been made public, and the current appraisal remains speculative. For more information on the valuation of film props, you can refer to auction house records on Heritage Auctions.
Public Viewings and Exhibits
The Smithsonian display is open to the public during regular museum hours, and the bike is located in the entertainment history wing. Visitors can view the bike alongside other notable film props and costumes from American cinema. The exhibit is part of a larger collection that documents the impact of film and television on American culture. Admission to the museum is free, and the bike is accessible to all visitors without special tickets or reservations.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a more interactive experience, where guests can see the replica bike in a controlled environment. The tour includes behind-the-scenes access to prop storage and costume archives, providing context for the bike's creation and use in the film. Tickets for the studio tour are sold online and can be purchased through the official Warner Bros. Studio Tour website. The tour also features other props and sets from the Pee Wee Herman film and television series.