Legend is a term which is thrown around far to easily in the modern world... No other word can describe this man to me though.
If you have never seen the film i came across it on youtube and trust me its great :)
I grew up watching this film over and over again haha! I grew up playing with the Evil Knievel wind up bike! That poor toy suffered countless crashes, many more than Evil himself which is a feat in itself!
When i look back at this it makes me feel like a dinosaur haha... truth hurts i guess :)
In 1977 Evel Knievel made the fictional movie about himself to show the life he lead, from showground to show business. This guy was used to riding bikes and jumping things that had never been done before. Sure his acting skills were mediocre at best but that wasn't the draw of the film, it was him!
This guy was the birth of modern motocross, freestyle MX and Supercross! The guy is a complete legend!
How the hell did he jump things on a Harley Davidson! I mean those things were HEAVY and had nothing like the suspension we have nowadays! Not just that but check the engine! It's MASSIVE.
I came accross something online that i had not even thought about for years, that crazy stratocycle from the film! I saw it had gone on ebay and im not surprised its a crazy and unique bike!
Here is the original registration card!
I remember the part on the film when Evil crashes into the lunatic asylum to rescue his friend and mechanic who was played by Gene Kelly :)
Such a 70s design haha but iconic to Evil Kneivel.
This bike sold on ebay for $200,000! wow
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Evel-Knievel-screen-used-XLCH-1000-Eagle-034-Stratocycle-034-from-Viva-Kni-Lot-1374-/111760485439?nma=true&si=Hl%252FFVv9JLvs%252FszQLrQQ66RrDnHM%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
I also found out there was a toy version of it as well! Gutted haha i would've loved this to go with my other Evil bike!
Evil Knievel, for all his demons still remains one of my childhood heros and I'm sure he means the same to many many more.
Thank you for capturing the hearts of so many people. I have looked up to you since i was a kid.
Thank you buddy and RIP.