Auction Inventory

Saturday Lot #66

Lot 66 Evel Knievel Replica motorcycle, painted by Evel’s artist.

If there was one individual that inspired kids in 1970’s, it would be Evel Knievel. On May 27, 1985 Evel Knievel made his last practice run up the ramp before attempting to jump 13 buses in the U.K. at Wembley Stadium. As Evel soared over the red buses, his hard landing caused him to fly over the handle bars resulting in a massive wipeout. The bike was damaged and he lay on the ground for some time in pain, but later he raised and walked up the landing ramp essentially telling the UK crowd that they had seen his the last jump of Evel Knievel. Evel’s Wembley bike was a Harley XR750 and the helmet used for the jump was painted by his artist George Sedlak. Since Evel’s retirement and death, Sedlak has selectively painted some Evel Knievel bikes, helmets and paintings, which have become very valuable. Recently, Sedlak has decided to stop painting Evel items and their worth is expected to increase exponentially. This bike was commissioned by a major Evel Knievel collector from Dallas. He approached the Evel Knievel museum in Topeka Kansas and told them that he wanted an exact replica of Evel’s Wembley bike. Ironically, Harley Davidson Topeka directly next door. The salesman directed him to a used 2003 Harley Davidson 883 and they determined the bike would be the perfect one for the task. The bike went through many cosmetic changes. New gas tank, fenders, wheels, tires, seat, handlebar modification (matching the original Wembley jump bike, forks and much more. The only this was not altered was the muffler. On Evel’s original bike, the muffler was on the left side. But, the major value and historic credibility of this bike is the paint job. George Sedlak was hired to paint this bike in the identical scheme that he painted Evel’s original bike with before the jump at Wembley in 1985. One of these were sold a few years ago, but it is a very rare time when one comes on the market boasting the exact paint scheme as Evel’s original and painted by Evel’s personal artist. Whether you are a collector or an investor, this rare and unique part of Harley, motorcycle and daredevil history. This motorcycle will only increase in value. The collector/owner also had the exact helmet painted by George Sedlak to match the bike, which is a part of this auction. Sedlak also painted Evel’s helmet used in the jump.