Take a Tour of “True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel

For some of the older guys and gals here in the WR forums... Maybe you remember this guy

The Harley-Davidson Museum celebrates the Rebels spirit this summer in Milwaukee.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 13, 2010



True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel will run July 10 – September 6 at the Harley-Davidson Museum and will tell the story of Evel Knievel through fascinating artifacts drawn from both the Museum’s archives and the Knievel family collection. Visitors will see legendary pieces including his signature leathers and cane, personal photographs and letters, collectors’ toys and memorabilia, and the half-motorcycle, half-rocket “Skycycle” used to jump the Snake River Canyon.

Setting numerous death-defying records over his career, Knievel’s bike of choice was the Harley-Davidson XR-750 and he was sponsored by the Motor Company through most of the 1970s. From Knievel’s early start in Butte, Montana, to his transformation into a larger-than-life master showman, marketer, and folk hero with international appeal, the 10,000-square-foot exhibit will engage visitors with the story of the man behind the seemingly fearless performer.

The “True Evel” video includes Kelly Knievel, son of Evel Knievel, and Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Museum and great-grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder, William A. Davidson, as they give a preview of the exhibit.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Knievel’s famous Wembley Stadium jump in London May 26, 1975. During this pivotal stunt, Knievel crashed while trying to land a jump over 13 buses, broke his back, and announced his retirement to 90,000 fans after the show – though he didn’t actually stay retired.

Kids growing up in the 70s did wild things to emulate Knievel and his stunts, and the heroic inspiration he provided to those aspiring daredevils still resonates today. In that spirit, the Harley-Davidson Museum invites visitors to celebrate the “little bit of Evel in all of us” this summer in Milwaukee.

If you are in Milwaukee, were a fan of Evel Knievel back in the day or just want to find out why he was so revered, why not