1000 HP gas powered tricycycle - ode to excess

[astro]

Here

Everything about the Rocket II is quite over the top, but we’ll start with the engine. It’s a 7.0-litre Hemi V8, with a BDS 8-71 supercharger bolted on for good measure, which boosts power output to 1,000 horsepower. Then there’s that hub-centre steering setup at the front, machined-from-billet front wheel, and a front swingarm that’s fabricated from ¼-inch steel plate and which features fully adjustable rosejoints that allow easy adjustment of wheel castor and camber.

The 1,000bhp Hemi V8 drives the Rocket II’s rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. It’s an unapologetically loud and fast trike that can hit triple-digit speeds in seconds and get up to a top speed of more than 260km/h. With a rider on board, the Rocket II weighs in excess of 1,200 kilos and fuel economy is less than stellar – a stunning 1.2km/l. Then again, you wouldn’t build a 1,000-horsepower supercharged V8-engined trike for fuel economy. You’d build one as an ode to sheer excess. And as such, the Rocket II is just brilliant. We love it

[Robot_Arm]

Interesting as an engineering or design exercise, I guess, but ultimately I’m not terribly impressed.

And a question. Can anyone tell me where the exhausts are? The manifolds coming out of each side of the engine look like they end at the rear wheels (which seems a bad idea in itself), but there are two pipes at the rear, as well.

[running_coach]

Looks like visibility to the front is terrible. And no wind protection for the head at full speed.

[Richard_Pearse]

@Robot_Arm

Interesting as an engineering or design exercise, I guess, but ultimately I’m not terribly impressed.

And a question. Can anyone tell me where the exhausts are? The manifolds coming out of each side of the engine look like they end at the rear wheels (which seems a bad idea in itself), but there are two pipes at the rear, as well.

Presumably the pipes from the engine make an S bend under the chassis and out the back.

[zoid]

Was anyone else hoping the chick would fall off the back?

[Doctor_Jackson]

Looking at this, my first reaction is the same as when I saw the guy ride up to a car show on a water cooled, V8, stick shift 2 wheeler - anyone who would ride on the street has a death wish!

[astro]

@Doctor_Jackson

Looking at this, my first reaction is the same as when I saw the guy ride up to a car show on a water cooled, V8, stick shift 2 wheeler - anyone who would ride on the street has a death wish!

Like this ?

[Gatopescado]

Wild Bill Gelbke would not be impressed. Too sissy.