Erik Estrada, 73, swaps CHiPs character Ponch's famous Harley Davidson for a much smaller electric bike as he cruises around LA

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Erik Estrada looked worlds away from his character in 80s police TV drama CHiPs as he cruised around his Los Angeles neighbourhood on Tuesday.

The actor, 73, who starred as California Highway Patrol officer Frank Llewelyn 'Ponch' Poncherello, switched his famous Harley Davidson for a considerably smaller electric bike - and even admired a nearby classic motor during his outing.

He kept things casual in a white zip-up hoodie featuring black stripes, which he layered above a pink polo top and teamed up with a pair of burgundy joggers.

Wow! Erik Estrada, 73, swapped his CHiPs character's famous Harley Davidson for an electric bike as he cruised around his Los Angeles neighbourhood on Tuesday

In 2016, the screen star was sworn in as a member of the St. Anthony Police Department reserve force in Idaho.

He posted a photo on Twitter shortly after posing by a police motorcycle, writing: 'OK fnf's I'm now a police officer with the ST ANTHONY POLICE DEPT.'

Erik also used his new appointment to raise some money for a good cause and help out the department.

'Join Erik Estrada of CHiPs and his team in celebrating Saint Anthony Police Department’s new Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force. Erik will be sworn in as a Reserve Officer along with teammate Retired Police Officer Daryl Williams,' wrote the SAPD on Facebook over the weekend.

Low-key: He kept things casual in a white zip-up hoodie featuring black stripes

This one's bigger: He even admired a nearby classic motor during his outing in the sunshine

Blast from the past: Erik is best known for this role in the iconic police drama Officer Poncherello (pictured in the series)

'All of the proceeds raised will benefit the task force’s efforts in protecting children against cyber predators.'

He now plans on working with the department to keep children safe from predators.

'Education is the best protection especially on the internet. Children should be educated in how to handle a chat room. Don’t give out personal information. Certainly don’t give out your mother’s or father’s name or what school you go to. Don’t ever accept gifts,' he told the Idaho State Journal.

Dynamic: He famously starred opposite Larry Wilcox, who played Jonathan Andrew Baker for the show's first five seasons, The NBC series followed the adventures of the duo as they attempted to keep LA's highways free of trouble

Surprise: In 2016, Erik was sworn in as a member of the St. Anthony Police Department reserve force in Idaho

'Certainly don’t ever go meet someone you’ve been chatting with. They’re not who they are. If they send a picture, that isn’t them.'

CHiPs originally ran for six seasons from 1977 to 1983, with the cast coming together again in 1988 for a reunion TV movie.

The NBC series followed the adventures of macho Ponch and his straight-laced partner Jon, played by Larry Wilcox, as they attempted to keep LA's highways free of trouble on their motorcycles.

Talented: CHiPs originally ran for six seasons from 1977 to 1983, with the cast coming together again in 1988 for a reunion TV movie (pictured in-character)

Throwback: Erik (pictured in 1970) also appeared in a slew of other film and TV guest roles, and later became known for this work in Spanish telenovelas