25 Years Ago August, 1967

25 YEARS AGO AUGUST, 1967

Motorcycles from the fourth-annual Cycle World Show highlighted this issue’s cover. Inside, a photo essay portrayed some of the 500 bikes on display at what was once the U.S.’s largest motorcycle show. More than 90,000 people attended the three-day event.

• Evel Knievel was making news, predicting that he would one day jump the Grand Canyon on a rocket cycle. An interview with the daredevil detailed the painful failure of one of his stunts. Apparently, Evel would stand flatfooted while a motorcycle approached at 60 mph, then jump into the air and spreadeagle as the bike passed beneath him. One night, the gag went very wrong and the bike clipped Knievel in the groin. “I couldn’t walk for 30 days and had to spend all my time in a whirlpool,” he said. “I don’t do that stunt anymore, I can tell you that for damn sure.”

• A Bridgestone GTR350 and Ossa 230 Scrambler were tested, but easily the tastiest bike in the magazine was a Rickman Metisse roadracer powered by a Triumph 650 Twin. “Handling would be hard to beat; it is certainly up to Norton Manx standards,” the impressed editors said of the British beauty.

• Check out the classified section for some reverse sticker shock. A Honda CR93 125cc roadracer was offered for $995. Today’s asking price for a good example? $15,000. How about a Vincent Series C Comet for $1300? Add a zero and bring $13,000 if you want one of the 500cc Singles today.

David Edwards