In 1974 just after the success of the
Rocket Powered Go Kart, Arvil built a complete Rocket Bike for "Top
Fuel" rider Larry
Welch. Larry rode Sunny Routs "Top Fuel" twin Triumph. This was the first Rocket Bike
to ever run at a drag strip! This bike was powered by twin rocket engines having
a thrust of 650 lbs each. This Rocket Bike reached a speed of 200 mph in the
quarter mile.
This bike was not only the fastest drag bike in the quarter mile, but it was one
of the most beautiful show bikes as well!
After the success of Larry Welch's Rocket Bike, Arvil designed and built a
special Rocket Bike for himself. Here is Arvil at the start of a very fast night
time run
at a drag strip. This bike was stolen, if you should ever happen
to see it contact Arvil.
This is John Dixon making a run on his rocket bike. The rocket engines were
built by Arvil. You can see the steam trail because of the intense cold that
condenses the super heated steam as it is exhausted from the rocket engine.
You will notice that all three pilots wear a special body suit and parachute on
their back. This chute is connected to the frame and if the rider should
be separated or should fall from the bike, the chute will open and brake the
fall of the rider.
Arvil lives in Florida and I, Juan Manuel, who live in Mexico
have joined forces to build two identical Rocket Bikes. Arvil has built both
the rocket bike frames. Now both of us will each build our own rocket systems.
After both of the Rocket Bikes are ready to run, we plan to meet
at a drag strip and race each other.
Both Arvil and I look forward to that race day to see who will buy dinner!