Just Hours Before Kickoff, 49ers' Harley-Riding Opening Act Couldn't Get His Motorcycle Started

Tom Tracy

Steve Mahoney's pregame ride at yesterday's Niners game wasn't without a touch of drama

When a big, strong, tattooed man roars across the football field with a flag-waving cheerleader on the back of his Harley-Davidson just prior to game time, it's not usually meant to be taken as a metaphor. But if the dude on the motorcycle has to push-start his bike just prior to the team's home-opener -- well, every sportswriter would be overtly pining for a crappy game from the home squad just so he or she could work that anecdote into the game story's lead. And, yes, this incident would be exhumed at year's end for the article summing up a crappy season.

This very nearly came to pass for Steve Mahoney. The San Francisco Public Works Department steam-cleaner has been walking on air for weeks since he nailed an audition to lead the team onto the field on his custom red-and-gold Niners Hog. Then, just hours before he was to make his big debut at yesterday's Candlestick Park opener -- it wouldn't start.

Mahoney's desire that his bike should shine as brightly as Perseus' shield was almost his undoing. He washed the bike on Saturday, and some of the water found its way into the starter. As a result, Mahoney was up at 3 a.m. on Sunday working out the kinks. He, his mechanic, and other pals were at Candlestick Park by 9 a.m. performing mechanical CPR on the bike.

"It did me proud," said mechanic Jeff Kempshall of JLK Precision MC. "It didn't make me look like an ass."

In fact, the bike ran as well as Frank Gore. Mahoney rumbled through a phalanx of cheerleaders, dropped off his cheerleader passenger at around the 30, and then picked her up after she waved around a 49ers flag. "Then she got back on and we rode into the sunset," said Mahoney. When asked what his comely passenger's name was, Mahoney could only let out a laugh. "Well, I met so many people..."

Oh no! A missed connection!

That being said, if the team considers Mahoney a good luck charm, he'd be thrilled to give his passenger a ride once more at a future home contest. Next time, he'll take notes. 

Photo   |   Tom Tracy