1972 Ruttman minibike heads to auction with strong Evel Knievel vibes
A restored 1972 Ruttman minibike has appeared for sale, bringing back memories of the Evel Knievel era and the machines that introduced a generation to motorcycles.
There was a time when every kid wanted to be Evel Knievel. Not a YouTuber, not an esports champion, and not a Formula 1 driver. They wanted a stars-and-stripes crash helmet, a cape flapping in the wind and a motorcycle capable of jumping absolutely anything that looked remotely jumpable.
Which is exactly where machines like this 1972 Ruttman minibike came in. It’s currently up for grabs via Bring a Trailer, and wears fresh paint and enough red, white and blue attitude to look like it has rolled straight out of Evel Knievel's garage – even if the five-horsepower engine probably leaves it a little short of clearing the fountains at Caesars Palace.
Built in Michigan, Ruttman minibikes were sold as either complete machines or garage-built kits and became a gateway into motorcycling for thousands of American kids during the minibike boom of the 1960s and 70s. They were simple, cheap and almost indestructible, making them perfect for youngsters looking to recreate Knievel's stunts using a plank of wood and varying degrees of parental supervision.
Equipment is delightfully basic, with just mudguards, an upswept black seat for company, while the six-inch alloy wheels and pull-start are about as sophisticated as things get.
The truth is that bikes like this probably created more lifelong motorcyclists than many modern learner bikes ever will. They represented freedom, adventure and the chance to pretend, if only for a few seconds, that you were Evel Knievel lining up another impossible jump.
Granted, the landing usually involved the family pet, rather than 14 Greyhound buses.
You can check out the listing for yourself on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
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