Triumphrat

DAGAD · 10-09-2007

I have heard from a friend that Bud Ekins has passed away last weekend. Any of you know more information?
Roy.

GrandPaulZ · 10-09-2007

A buddy, Jimmy Gates, passed this on:

A man sits astride a beautiful machine. No show bike, but a racer, with dirt and oil on it, but only contributing to its all business appearance, the man and machine are one.

One kick and the engine throbs to life, and a broad grin builds across his features. His eyes focus a thousand yards away, the throttle turns, the revs go up and the big twin leaps forward as he drops the clutch...

As the machine roars away, I want to say wait! I wanna talk some more, wait..., but he's moving, faster, headed for the horizon, out on the desert...The sound is perfect, the machine in tune, the rider balanced expertly, till only a distant roar and a small smudge of dust in the far distance fades and someone next to me says, there...he's gone....

The machine is still running, the man still rides. He is the same ...He is only gone from my sight, out of my world...

Because at that instant he disappeared over the horizon, another man, far away, standing with many others, looking, waiting for him, says "LOOK!, There he comes! It's Bud!"... and he is home at last.

oldebonnie · 10-10-2007

I found this article:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/f...bit-ekins.html

While the Great Escape stunt was more famous, the barely mentioned motorcycle stunt in Bullitt was my favorite. I read an interview with Ekins about it years ago. The stunt involved sliding out on asphalt at highway speeds. The script called for jeans and no helmet.

Ekins said he wore leathers under the jeans, pumped the rear tire pressure way up, and did a couple of timing runs. (The stunt comes near the end of the famous Bullitt car chase scene, and shows Ekins "crashing" to avoid the hit mens' Charger.) Satisfied with the set up, he did the stunt by brake sliding into a low side and letting the bike go down the road first, cradling his head on his shoulder and arm as he slid down the road on his side. At 60 mph. Simple, right?

Oh yeah, he was riding a Triumph.

RIP Mr. Ekins.

OldTimeBiker · 10-10-2007

I never had the pleasure of meeting Bud Ekins, but I felt that I knew him in the way that people feel they know their heroes that are of like spirit. He rode, he raced, he loved motorcycling.
God speed, Bud Ekins. May you rest in peace.

McQueen · 10-10-2007

RIP Bud...never forget.

Red1959 · 10-10-2007

I can't imagine crashing a motorcycle for a movie. Did he do the crash scene in the movie "In Cold Blood"? I know he did the "Then Came Bronson" stunts. What a life!

Catherine · 10-10-2007

The information you have is unfortunately correct. Sadly, Bud died on Saturday October 6th here in Los Angeles. He will be missed by all his friends and family, but leaves us all with some wonderful memories and stories.

DAGAD · 10-11-2007

Welcome Catherine, sorry it's on a sad occasion.
Roy.

Iceseven · 10-11-2007

Here is an old ad that I ran into with Bud. He is someone that I always wanted to meet.

daveforty · 10-12-2007

Link to obituary in The Times newspaper;

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/com...cle2632517.ece