I was trading emails with Tony earlier today — he’s someone I’ve known for many years and even founded a company with. Along with a number of other things, in response to my Bigtrak post, he mentioned a toy his brother had: the Evel Knievel Stunt Bike.
I had one too. And DAMN was it cool. Fast, dangerous (if pointed in the right direction), battery-free and pretty much indestructable (much more so than Mr. Knievel himself in fact).
For those of you that grew up in the era of all electronic toys, you missed out.
The bike attached to the red and blue base. On the side of the base you can’t see was a large handle. You cranked the handle for as long as you dared and that charged the friction motor in the bike. Then you let it fly…
Here’s the diagram from the original instructions. And it really would have made this jump…
I distinctly remember jumping mine up and down flights of stairs, on concrete driveways, over a variety of objects (including my long suffering younger sister) and not once did Evel fail me…
In the pre-computer age (practically in the pre-battery age for that matter) this was THE cutting edge.
In even better news, brought to you via the tubes of the internets, a replica (allegedly made from the original molds) is available on Amazon.
Thank you Mr. Kenievel — not only did you inspire a lifelong interest in physics, you made a damn fine toy that contributed many happy hours to my childhood…