Most myths have some basis in fact...wire across the road was common in WWll... and lot of motorcycles, and virtually all the jeeps from the time have wire breakers mounted on them...I believe "Easy Rider" had more to do with modern apes, than anything else...even though that bike had relatively short handle bars on 6" risers...but it had the "look".

 

Piano wire gets applied to 4-wheelers, ATVs and dirt bikers all the time. Down along the Texas/Mexico border cartels string piano wire across trails to injure border patrol and such riding 4-wheelers. Google piano wire and 4-wheelers to get a current list of incidents.

 

Back on topic, this is Ralph Barger in May 1959

 

Sonny! I wouldn't classify those on Ralph's bike as apes. Mine are about the same height as those, just up enough that I don't have to lean forward. Its a comfortable position for me.