Pulse Autocycle: A Ground-Based Aircraft for Those Who Dreamed of Top Gun
After the release of the movie “Top Gun” in 1986, the number of volunteers who wanted to join the U.S. Navy increased by 8%, but only a few were able to become real pilots. For the rest of the enthusiasts, there was an alternative option – the Pulse Autocycle.
The Aviation Origins of the Design
Advertised as a “ground-based recreational vehicle,” the Pulse inherited its aviation genes from its predecessor, the Litestar. It was designed by aircraft designer Jim Bede, whose miniature Bede BD-5J aircraft appeared in the James Bond film “Octopussy.”
Design Features
Unlike Bond’s aircraft, the Pulse did not fly and did not have a jet engine. Instead, it received a less exotic engine from a Yamaha motorcycle, and the additional wheels, hidden in wing-like fairings, acted as stabilizers.
This system prevented the fiberglass body on a steel frame from tipping over during turns and when parked, with only three of the four wheels contacting the ground simultaneously.
Controls and Interior
By lifting the aviation-style canopy, the driver would discover two seats arranged in tandem. Control was via a three-spoke automobile steering wheel, and a six-speed manual gearbox was operated by a lever near the driver’s right elbow. For convenient maneuvering, an electric reverse gear was provided.
History of a Specific Example
This particular unit is the 162nd out of approximately 326 autocycles produced and belongs to the first year of production. After two years of use, it was placed in storage, where it remained for three decades. In 2019, the autocycle was purchased by its current owner, who installed LED lighting.
Legacy of an Unusual Vehicle
Jim Bede’s idea of a hybrid between a car, a motorcycle, and an aircraft inspired the creation of similar leaning designs. The Pulse remains an interesting example of experimental vehicles that emerged in the United States in the 1980s in the search for fuel efficiency.
This autocycle is part of a broader trend of creating alternative vehicles during the oil crises. Such developments demonstrate how technologies from aviation and motorsports found unexpected applications in civilian transport. Today, such examples are valued by collectors as artifacts of the engineering thought of their era.