35 years ago this month

IT'S 35 YEARS since Evel Knievel attempted to jump 13 London buses at Wembley Stadium.

Riding a heavy, slow Harley-Davidson XR750, the American daredevil had serious reservations about the jump, admitting the take-off ramp was too short, therefore limiting the bike's speed.

But even though the plucky American knew his chances of pulling off the stunt were slim, he was reluctant to disappoint the 80,000-strong Wembley crowd. Weeks after the failed attempt Knievel said: "I knew I wasn't going to make it, but what was I supposed to do - give 'em their money back?"

Knievel broke numerous bones, including his pelvis, when he crashed on the landing ramp but was still determined to exit Wembley on foot, insisting: "I walked in, I want to walk out."

Despite promising the Wembley crowd he would never jump again, just six months later Knievel went on to successfully clear 14 Greyhound buses at King's Island in Ohio.

By Visordown News