Belly Tank Rocket Trike
This odd bird somehow calls to me, roger roger, Slap on the ol Goggles and hit the Throttle !
Constructed c 1946 in Lake County, CA by a fellow who was fabricating custom equipment for hospitals. It was used as a daily driver into the fifties. In around 1964 the owner was giving a grand child a ride, and hit a tree in his driveway. He then hung it from the rafters of his shop.
The next owner mounted it on a tilt trailer, it became a Lake County parade favorite. He would raise the front end, and exhaust a fire extinguisher for blast off!
I first saw it in Upper Lake a few years ago, and decide I had to have it.
The following to the best of my knowledge, if the provenance of these parts is important to you, please verify:
The power train is not in the car
The 1949 Triumph twin is the second engine, and was installed sometime in the fifties
Trans, wheels, brakes, fenders are Harley Knucklehead.
Steering wheel VW. I don’t know where the gauges came from. Controls, front axle, suspension, and rear swing arm are all custom. There is no seat. The gas tank is custom fabbed and sits behind the driver.The drop tank is aluminum 300 gallon . I do not see any serious corrosion.The rear swing arm needs to be repaired, or re fabricated, but the design seems sound. Missing right brake drum, needs rewiring, brake lines and various misc work. The engine is not stuck, and has compression, I have not tried to start it.
Has a black CA motorcycle plate, the last sticker is 1965. Sold with a bill of sale, only
Find it on Craigs List
Thanks To Andy Reid of Classic Motorsports for the find.