The bike most commonly linked with the late stunt great Evel
Knievel might have been a Harley Davison, but the bike he made his name on was a
Triumph – the machine he used for his Caesars Palace jump.
In October Middlesex dealer Jack Lilley began work on a bike
to commemorate the pivotal moment in Evel Knievel’s career, but since
Evel’s death on November 30 the bike has also become a tribute to Evel’s
life and stunt career.
The Bonneville Scrambler’s tank was stripped of its ‘mouth
organ’ tank badges, and painted in Evel Knievel’s traditional stars and stripes
design, with an airbrushed design depicting Evel jumping an original
Bonneville.
The painted Knievel is laid over
Evel’s trademark American stars and stripes number one, which also contains
the original jump date and venue as well as the 40th Anniversary date.
Gold leaf is used for the ‘Caesar’s Palace’ and ‘Evel Knievel’
wording.
The rear seat unit was swapped for the Bonneville Thruxton
seat with a humped single seat cowl and undertray (which more closely resembled
the stubby tail of the jump bike), and the front mudguard was shortened in order
to look similar to the jump bike (which ran without any guard), but keep the
bike road legal.
Similarly, standard stacked pipes were kept for legality
whereas the original ran open header pipes. New high and wide bars give the
right look.
Jack Lilley says the buyer will also receive a photo of Knievel’s Caesars
Palace leap, signed by the late daredevil himself.
Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated.