Jet-powered Triumph Rocket III
A resourceful New Zealander has fitted a Rolls-Royce jet engine into a customised Triumph Rocket II frame, with the powerplant rated for 420hp and a lazy 583NmNew Zealander Chris Minnee has combined his two major private and professional outlets – motorcycles and helicopters – into building a jet-powered two-wheeler that cuts some serious mustard.
The three-year creation combines a customised Triumph Rocket III frame – it was cut in half and extended by 200mm as the first port of call – with a Rolls-Royce/Allison C20B turbine engine as used in the Bell Jet Ranger and Hughes 500 helicopters. The transmission is adapted from a Toyota 4WD.
The turbine is rated at 420hp and delivers 583 Newton metres of torque. Geared one to one, the bike has a theoretical top speed for 260kmh.
It also has a 40-litre tank – good for about one hour of use.
Minnee hopes to have the bike in one running piece later this year.
“It's rego is on hold and the biggest hurdle will be getting it certified and warranted. The aim is to get it certified as a "low-volume vehicle" similar to other customised vehicles,” Minnee was quoted as saying by www.stuff.co.nz.
"There's no engine braking and riding it is going to be a big learning curve.”
Minnee trained as an aircraft engineer in the mid 1970s and now owns Rotor Craft, a Hamilton Airport-based helicopter maintenance business. He’s also been a motorcyclist for 45 years.
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