Remembering Evel Knievel
Maverick - Dec 18, 2007

A weekly collection of newsworthy items for motorcycle enthusiasts... Photograph courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company Archives. Copyright H-D

 

The relationship between Evel Knievel and Harley-Davidson Motor Company began in the 1970s when the Company sponsored Knievel.  Bill Davidson, vice president, core customer marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and great grandson of one of the Company's founders, reflects on his memories and experiences with Evel.

 

"Evel Knievel was the most recognized motorcyclist in the world, performing extravagant stunts in front of people from around the globe," said Davidson.  "In a way, Evel was a lot like our brand: powerful, unique, recognized around the world, and he demonstrated Americana."

 

"Evel was an extreme person with a big heart," said Davidson.  "I remember when I was a little boy, I asked him to help sponsor me in a bicycle ride for the Diabetic Association.  He sent a letter and a check back for $1,000!  I know he supported a lot of organizations throughout his years, but kids always held a special place in his heart."

 

"The last time I saw Evel was in Daytona in March when we had asked him to sign autographs for an hour.  Even though he was ill, he stayed for three or fours hours signing autographs.  Evel was not only an amazing stuntman, but a man with an amazing soul."

 

*See "Riders" section of the Media Web site Image Library for downloadable image of Evel Knievel.

 

Check out the many more exciting features on the Ride Planner under the Experience section of www.harley-davidson.com.  Just plan, print and go!  

 

Harley-Davidson will be having a women's display in the Ocean Center all week featuring giveaways, seminars and motorcycle information.  Also, Women's Day is Tuesday, March 4, 2008, featuring special activities just for women. The Get Down to Daytona contest winners will be rolling into Daytona that morning, so stop by for your chance to meet them and Karen Davidson, great granddaughter of one of the Company's founders.  Women riders should also keep their eye on the Web site for upcoming info regarding a special women's ride in Daytona.

 

More than 5,000 motorcyclists gathered along with Harley-Davidson representatives in November to celebrate and honor one of the oldest African American motorcycle clubs, the LA Defiant Ones, with a weekend of events.

 

The club, which requires its members to ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles, began in 1957.  To celebrate their 50th anniversary, African American motorcycle clubs joined the LA Defiant Ones at California Harley-Davidson in Los Angeles.  At the event, the group paid special tribute to 15 retirees for their years of service.

 

A signed letter from Willie G. Davidson, senior vice president and chief styling officer, and Bill Davidson, vice president core customer marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, was presented to the retirees along with Harley-Davidson leather jackets.  Some members accepted the gifts with tears in their eyes.

 

The Harley-Davidson Ride Planner on www.harley-davidson.com allows enthusiasts to build, save and share their trip utilizing an interactive map.  Anyone looking for route suggestions can activate the roads overlay and the planner will indicate rider submitted routes as well as Great Roads that have been identified.  The routes not only provide turn-by-turn directions, but the visitor can read ratings and reviews provided by riders.  They can even switch to an aerial view and see the lay of the land before they ride.

 

Visitors also have the opportunity to locate dealerships, dealer events and Best Western Hotels along their route and add them to their ride.  Visitors can directly book a Best Western room and find out more information about the dealers and their events without ever leaving the Ride Planner.

 

Any ride plans created in the previous Ride Planner can be migrated into the new ride planning tool by a simple click of the mouse!

The 200-foot glass wall has been finished, and the first major construction phase of Harley-Davidson's museum has been completed.

 

The company left two old "sand-hoppers" on the museum site, which were used for loading sand into trucks. They are orange, which is one of Harley-Davidson's primary colors.

 

The Harley-Davidson museum, scheduled to open next summer, will feature hundreds of motorcycles, including brightly colored Art Deco models from the 1930s.

 

There will be interactive exhibits that allow visitors to get the "feel" of a Harley. Visitors also can expect to see displays that explain the "nuts and bolts" of Harley engines.

 

In early 2008, the iconic motorcycle manufacturer will be setting up exhibits, and the museum remains on schedule for opening in the summer, Harley officials said Wednesday.

 

The three buildings have been fully enclosed, and work has begun on the interiors, said Harley spokeswoman Rebecca Bortner. "We are at the point where the structure is pretty much complete," she said.

 

Expected to draw 350,000 visitors a year, the Harley museum at 6th and Canal streets will be one of Milwaukee's biggest tourist attractions, much like Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Atlanta's Coca-Cola Museum. Harley's vast archives include motorcycles, clothing, photos, posters, promotional materials and magazines. There's one bike from each of Harley's 104 years, and there are Harley bicycles, snowmobiles and golf carts the company made years ago.

 

A customized Harley named King Kong also will be displayed. It's more than 13 feet long, weighs more than 1,000 pounds and has two Knucklehead engines. The bike's original owner, Felix Predko of Pennsylvania, spent more than 4,000 hours doing the customization.

 

Companies from across the nation have been bidding for the right to install everything from steel beams to restroom partitions. Some contractors are motorcycle enthusiasts eager to etch their mark on the museum.

 

A wall with Harley-Davidson written on it contains 20,887 bricks, including 4,700 bricks used for the lettering. Each brick was numbered, cut and placed in the wall by hand - by a Harley rider who put his heart and soul into it.

 

Exposed steel, rivets and concrete are meant to reflect Milwaukee's and Harley's industrial heritage. The company purposely left two old, rusted "sand hoppers" on the 20-acre site that were used for loading sand into trucks. They are orange, which is one of Harley's primary colors.

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