'Rocketman' builds jet-propelled Harley-Davidson that can travel from 0-60mph in five ear-splitting seconds

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Rocketman: Robert Maddox customised a classic 1926 Harley-Davidson flat-track racer and ended up with a machine that can travel from 0 to 60mph in just five seconds



Packing two jet engines and capable of hitting speeds of over 200mph, this Harley Davidson offers brave souls the ride of a lifetime.

Based on the classic 1926 flat-track racer and built by super-mechanic Robert Maddox, the Harley Davidson SportJet can complete the sprint to 60mph in just five seconds.

The self-proclaimed 'Rocketman' customised the two-wheeler for a bike racer in Illinois.



According to Mr Maddox, who did five test runs on the bike before handing it over to its new owner, its handling is 'smooth and stable', although it is so powerful that it 'wants to pull your arms off'.

Apart from the tires, rims and brakes, he fabricated the entire bike - including the jet engines - in his shop in Medford, Oregon.



Homemade: Aside from the tires, rims and brakes, Mr Maddox fabricated the entire bike - including the jet engines - in his shop in Medford, Oregon



Building rocket-powered toys may have started as a hobby, but it's become a sideline business to his day job as a cabinet-maker.

Mr Maddox, whose aim is to one day strap on two of his own rockets and head four miles up into the outer atmosphere, said the bike can produce an eye-watering 250lb of thrust.



Powerful: The super-bike can produce an eye-watering 250lb of thrust



His previous creations include a jet-powered go-kart, car and drag bikes. He plan to sell his design for the jet-powered car via his website MaddoxJets.com.

Mr Maddox first became fascinated with jet engines when he couldn't keep up with a friend during a skydiving competition - and decided a jet engine would help.

After a month of laborious work he emerged from his workshop with a jet engine, but came to his senses and decided it was too dangerous to use for skydiving.

His jets have become bigger and bigger and he now has plans for dragsters, twin-jet hydrofoils and a pulsejet powered thrust rocket.

The Harley Davidson SportJet is now on sale at auction website eBay for £15,985.







source: dailymail