steam powered bicycle
 

This is cool on so many levels:

http://www.steamcar.net/images/arc0373a.jpg

From: The Steam Car Club of Great Britain

• began in 1972, first ride sometime around 1989
• power from the 1 cyl: "1/4hp, depending on the pressure of the steam."
• bike: rebuilt "1949 VéloSoleX premier type frame [obtained] in a derelict and red rusted condition"
• all wheel drive :) (steam drive to the front) ... "The engine is pivoted from the fork crown to allow the front forks to flex in the normal way, and the chain tension is kept constant by struts down to the front wheel spindle. "
• 3 speeds in the front: Sturmey-Archer 3-speed AW hub
• starting "takes 15 - 20 minutes from cold"
• speed: about 8mph sustained
  
• efficiency: "6 - 8mpg of water and about 60 - 70mpg of paraffin"

http://www.steamcar.net/images/arc0373c.jpg

The Hudspith Steam Bicycle at Kiel

More info & photos (plus his steam powered gramophone!): The Steam Car Club of Great Britain

Epic win! That is all. Good day.

WOW! That is soooo awesome! As someone who used to commute and ride all over town all day on a bike, I always wondered about crazy ways to efficiently motorize one.

Nice part is you could ride that year round. Probably puts off enough heat to keep you warm.

As cool as it gets.

Way cool. :thumbup:

Technically, isn't this a steam(mechanical)-human powered
hybrid vehicle?

No CPU/ECUs, little chance of an electronics based SUA
(Sudden Unexpected Acceleration) incident.
Both feet on the pedals, braking by hand.
No pedal confusion SUAs.

Wow! Back to the future.

If purchased as a new complete unit, would it qualify for a
federal tax credit?

I have to wonder, if there is a Mrs. Hudspith, what does she
think of all this?