Evel Knievel’s Harley-Davidson Stratocycle from Viva Knievel!
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The motorcycle recently for sale on eBay started out as a 1976 Harley-Davidson XLCH - opens in new window or tab., which had higher compression and greater peak power than the XL model. But this unique Harley didn’t become a star until it was converted by the esteemed stuntman Bud Ekins for the 1977 movie Viva Knievel! - opens in new window or tab.
Ekins came up with the unique bodywork, then added stars, stripes, and a bald eagle, and delivered it to the set, where it was known as the Stratocycle.
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Whether you saw the motorcycle in the movie or spent hours slamming Evel's wind-up Stunt Cycle - opens in new window or tab. over jumps or into your parents' furniture at high speed, the Stratocycle will bring up fond memories.
A Death-Defying Jump
Despite having his name in the movie’s title, it’s arguable that American icon Evel Knievel wasn’t the biggest name on the bill. Hollywood legend Gene Kelly played a former stunt rider and mechanic to Knievel, and beloved Police Squad! star Leslie Nielsen was cast against type as the bad guy.
Of course we don’t want to spoil the movie if you haven’t seen it, but it will hardly come as a surprise that the climax involved a death-defying jump. That’s where the Stratocycle comes in.
Can You Jump It?
The seller states that the Harely-Davidson is in display condition, which suggests it isn’t currently rideable. Don’t expect a fire-breathing motor that will launch you into the air with great ferocity. The motor appears to be the stock unit, so you’ll get a torquey 57 horsepower from its 60.84 cubic inches. The Shovelhead motor - opens in new window or tab. will do, but we recommend keeping the Stratocycle on terra firma.
The Stratocycle was renovated with a new set of wheels, new plexiglass screen, and a sympathetic restoration of the paint and decals. This work appears to have been done before it was offered for sale in 2015.
The Real Deal
The seller describes the provenance as “exceptional.” The sale includes a California registration card in the name of Warner Bros. - opens in new window or tab., an invoice from the production company, and much more. For all of Knievel’s legendary escapades, the American daredevil only ever rode one machine in a movie that made it to the auction block, and this is it.
But the Montana legend did ride other stuff, like the Widow Maker - opens in new window or tab.. That machine was built by EJ Potter, the famed Michigan constructor of wild machines. The trike supposedly had 1,200 horsepower at its disposal, courtesy of a Fairchild J-44 jet motor. That’s what Knievel actually sat on when he took flight.
Meanwhile, if Evel had tried similar jumps with the Stratocycle, at least the take-offs would have been spectacular.
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