Jeff Castellari’s Evel Knievel Tribute Wins the K&N Performer Award in Minnesota

15 Mar 2017

Evil Twin at the Minneapolis, Minnesota International Motorcycle Show

Evil Twin pays tribute to a motorcycling legend

“First let me say thank you to K&N for making my bike a winner! I’m flattered,” says Jeff Castellari. While we’d love to take credit, Castellari’s bike was a winner the moment it rolled onto the red carpet of the Minneapolis, Minnesota, stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show (IMS). That being said, we are more than happy to recognize the fantastic build called “Evil Twin.”

Castellari’s 2016 SHR Evel Knievel tribute bike won the K&N Performer Award at the Minneapolis edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Bike Show. K&N sponsors three of the classes of the prestigious custom builder competition at each stop of the IMS.

The NOS 1200 XBR motor breathes through a K&N performance filter

When we asked Castellari his motivation for the project, he pointed out that it was a chance to relive a bit of his youth.

“I always wanted to build a street tracker,” he says. “And with the renewed interest that people have taken with Evel Knievel and the reenactment of the Snake River Canyon jump, I thought, why not do my part to pay homage to a childhood hero?”

We have to think that Evel would have been thrilled to have ridden a bike like Evil Twin. The great showman and stunt jumper never had access to the kind of V-twin firepower that Castellari’s custom has.

The heart of the Evil Twin is a NOS 1200 XBR Buell motor. The big V-twin breathes through an S&S Super E carb fitted with a K&N high-flow filter. A very clean Supertrapp system handles the exhaust duties. There is little doubt that Evil Twin is packing some serious horsepower.

J&P winner Evil Twin custom right side view

The high-mount exhaust fits the theme of the build and the custom paint is stunning

Castellari, who built a custom bobber in 2006, is quick to credit other creative folks for the bulk of the build. “I’ve always worked on bikes as a hobby, but a majority of the build was done by two different local Minnesota people," says Castellari.

The frame was hand built from 4130 chromoly steel on a jig designed by C&J Racing for SHR enterprises. The chassis rolls on Performance Machine wheels.

Of course, on an Evel Knievel tribute bike, the paint has to be perfect. Cliff Anderson of Stripes and Pipes handled the task of masterfully applying the color to the body parts and the Harley® XR 750 replica tank. The paint, stripes, and lettering were all hand-applied and the word Evel was done in 23 kt gold leaf.

J&P winner Evil Twin custom left side view

The blacked out Buell motor is the massive centerpiece of Evil Twin

The end result of all that engine, frame, and paint magic is a custom that is clean, mean, and more than a little nostalgic. Castellari's vision for the tribute to one of the true icons of motorcycling was realized in a very pure way.

It turns out Castellari is quite a big fan of K&N products. “I use all K&N filters in my cars and bikes. I have used them on everything I own,” he says. K&N thanks Castellari for being a loyal customer and we are thrilled to have had the chance to focus the spotlight on a fantastic build.

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