Evel Knievel Days

I was recently chatting with Flathead Rob tonight about Evel Knievel Days, the Seattle Cossacks are scheduled to do 5 shows there. 

I didn't know much about the event so I looked it up. Best I can tell Mat Hoffman is plays a major role. Not exactly surprising, Mat has been pretty public about identifying with at least the celebrity aspects of Evel Knievel. 

Hoffman Bikes even released a limited edition EK replica several years ago.

So, what's the story with Evel Knievel Days then? In addition to performances by Mat Hoffman & his Danger Defying DareDevil Team there are a host of other stunt show performers like Spanky Spangler, Mike Vallely, Street Bike Tommy (Nitro Circus),  Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham, Stuntmasters Inc., “Cowboy” Kenny Bartram & Chris Clark. Black Flag is even playing there.

  It seems like a blast of an event and the Cossacks will be in pretty good company. I'm a little jealous I won't be there.

Return of the Speedbird

I haven't been exactly shy about how nice English Stephen's "SpeedBird" will be once he gets beyond a couple of third-party dependencies and is able to make progress at his own pace. These tank badges he is getting ready to cast in bronze are the perfect example.

Last I heard Stephen had unseated Flathead Rob as the World's most anal retentive bike builder, no easy feat as some of you well know. This search will not show you all the SpeedBird posts I've done but it's certainly representative. I heard one of the guys he's been waiting on just gave him a delivery date. I sure hope that stays the case. All bike builds have some frustrating delays beyond the builder's control but Stephen has been especially unlucky in that department.  I think it will be well worth the wait one day.

Ran When Parked

1931 Henderson 4 - The bike speaks for itself. I love it.

2014 Arlington EAA

A "reunion" of sorts... Flathead Rob's 1938 Harley "U" got to pose with a drop-dead gorgeous 1938 Beech Staggerwing biplane just after the Seattle Cosssacks performed at the 2014 Arlington EAA Fly-In.

 I'd didn't make it to their show. Yep, I'm feeling like I blew it and missed a really cool event too.

Ran When Parked

1940 Indian Chief Flat Tracker - This bike is sort of an unorthodox blend of new and old but it sure looks like a good time.

Danny Macaskill - Industrial Revolutions

If I could ride a bike like anyone my choice would be someone like Danny Macaskill rather than even say Bob Hannah, Jeremy McGrath, Kenny Roberts or Valentino Rossi. I've been riding motorcycles since I was about 8 years old yet if you totaled all the hours I spent on a bike vs a motorcycle I'm quite sure I've still spent more time on a bike. I absolutely lived on BMX bikes as a kid.



Somewhat ironically Stu Thomsen is mentioned in the opening credits of Danny's video. Like almost every BMX obsessed guy my age I really looked up to Stu. I remember the Stu Thomsen - Greg Hill rivalry but knew zero about the back story mentioned in this video. Pretty fascinating.  Funny to see Jessie James in the Stu documentary. It never ceases to amaze me how many custom motorcycle people have BMX backgrounds.

Le Galipomètre

I hadn't heard of Le Galipomètre before and I couldn't find much on this particular bike but I sure like it.

Pre-Unit

It's been an insane week for me work-wise. I can't recall where I saw this bike but there's a lot to like. The paint pattern and color work great for that tank. It's super simple but I'm diggin' it. Looks like it get's ridden a bunch too.

Elephant Powered

Rita

Cossacks

Mrs Flathead Rob took some photos at a recent show. Her skills as a photographer make posting these photos irresistible.

Motorcycle Gymnasts - 1934

The Seattle Cossacks need a sidecar. Pretty odd video.