Hayabusa to tackle steam speed record

Manx resident Chris Wedgwood is eyeing a new land speed record aboard a likely contender – a Suzuki Hayabusa. There's nothing especially exceptional in that – hurtling yourself through a timed run at Warp Factor 10 aside – but there is something exceptional about his choice of propulsion: steam.

That's right, Chris will be scorching down the track – or perhaps 'puffing' is more accurate – aboard his custom steam-powered Hayabusa, the existing record of just over 80mph (128km/h) fixed firmly in his sites.

Actually, the Manxman is hopeful of achieving something around 120mph (192km/h) when he makes his official attempt at a Straightliners speed event in the UK, sometime in the next few months.

Need for speed
Wedgwood's passion for motorcycles runs deep, even previously taking him to 12th place in a Manx Grand Prix aboard a Suzuki GSX-R1000 race bike. These days he runs a construction firm that utilises Scania heavy equipment purchased from KelTruck, Europe's largest Scania dealer.

The relationship has obviously blossomed and now KelTruck is sponsoring Wedgwood's attempt to create the world's fastest steam-powered motorcycle.

To that end, the Hayabusa's standard engine – an in-line four-cylinder powerhouse that produces maximum outputs of close to 200hp and over 150Nm – has been replaced by steam engine, where a paraffin burner heats things up to over 500 degrees Celsius, in turn producing pressures of up to 2000psi.

This pressure then powers a Bower and Bell V-twin engine, which directly powers the rear wheel.

The Hayabusa's frame and bodywork remain, but the standard instrumentation has been replaced by a custom setup to suit the repower and the array of electronics that monitor the show.

The current record was set in 2014 by American Bill Barnes aboard a fully custom rig. With previous runs already reaching 77mph, Wedgwood is confident that with some further tweaking, glory – and the record – will be his.

The moral here? Don't judge a book by its cover – and don't freak out if, on your next visit to the Isle of Man, you see someone filling up their Hayabusa with a garden hose…

Here are a couple of clips that show Wedgwood's steam Hayabusa in all its puffing glory…