Your Chance To Own Evel Knievel's Stratocycle (Yes, Really)
Own a bit of motorcycle film history
For those of us who grew up during the peak of Evel Knievel’s exploits, nothing could be cooler than being him – not even being Batman. Well, those nice folks at Mecum’s Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction will give you the chance to live your dream this Friday, Jan. 27th 2017 when Evel Knievel’s Stratocycle built by the great Bud Ekins goes on the auction block.
Since we’re dreaming here, let’s check the bike’s bona fides:
- Evel Knievel’s Stratocycle built by Bud Ekins for Viva Knievel film
- The only Knievel motorcycle used in a film to ever come to market
- You probably owned the Ideal Toy Company’s toy version
- Why haven’t you left for Vegas, yet?
The motorcycle, a modified 1976 Harley XLCH Sportster 1000, wears a futuristic fiberglass fairing with integral wings. (How many times did those wings carry your toy across the den? Come on, be honest!) The fiberglass is covered with a red, white, and blue paint scheme – complete with an eagle on the front.
According to the Mecum’s web site: “The provenance of this motorcycle is beyond exceptional: it comes with original California registration card issued for (VIN# 4A20750H6) from ‘AMF Harley Davidson MTR Co.’ to ‘Warner Bros. Inc.’ and the original invoice from Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Inc., dated 8-14-78, selling the motorcycle following the production to ‘Rich Budelier Company’ (the Los Angeles Harley dealership which provided the motorcycles for the film) with the following notation: ‘Used in Evil [sic] Knievel Movie. To be sold for $500. No freight per Tom Bolfert…4A20750H6 Note 1976 bike.’ (Tom Bolfert was the ex-head of archives for the Harley-Davidson Motor Co.) The motorcycle has undergone cosmetic restoration; the Plexiglas windscreen and alloy wheels have been replaced to bring it back to screen used appearance.”
So, if you want to own the only movie-produced Evel Knievel motorcycle ever sold to the public, click on over to the Mecum’s website here.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Amazing, like it was in a 40 year time capsule..
It could prove to be one of the most iconic and memorable film used motorcycles.
Evel was the real Captain America.