Just the other day, I was behind one of the goofiest contraptions I’ve ever seen. Effectively a tiny enclosure about a motorcycle with training wheels, I wasn’t sure if it was en ingenious way to enjoy motorcycle riding in the cold weather, or just a huge waste of money to look silly. Regardless, this 1985 Pulse Litestar Autocycle shows us the fad of making a motorcycle into something exotic is nothing new, and you’ll find this project-grade example here on eBay with bidding at $1,725.
The other term for one of these is a “Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicle,” as the seller points out. We actually just featured one of these in complete, survivor-grade condition, and it resembled a miniature jet aircraft on four wheels. Technically, the outer wheels are considered outriggers that provide additional stability rather than full-time cruising support.
They are like a conventional motorcycle, with a Yamaha-sourced 1100cc water-cooled motorcycle engine providing the go-power and a conventional manual transmission in the driver’s cockpit. There’s a canopy on fully-assembled versions that slides back to allow ingress into the driver’s seat. This one, unfortunately, is missing both the canopy and the glass windshield.
The roll bar is also missing, along the the seats and the dash-top shroud. Unfortunately, the seller also notes the frame is rusty. If I had to guess, he got halfway through this project and realized it was a lot more work than intended. The seller claims the missing pieces are still available; does this photo of a running Pulse Autocycle make you want to finish this basketcase?
Here’s hoping Numbers 1-346 are serving mankind in some meaningful way.
“….does this photo of a running Pulse Autocycle make you want to finish this basket case ?”
NOPE.
Yea that is not the “1100 cc water-cooled” engine. Nope, it is air cooled, and maybe a 650 twin. Toasty ride. Try and find a canopy for this.
It appears as though the seller has quite a stash of these, or at least parts of them. At least two others are in the background of photos. I like the paint job on the white one, reminiscent of the Space Shuttle. That’d be fun, dress one up as a mini-shuttle and struggle to keep people from following you around.
All Owosso built Litestars and Pulse #22 thru #260 were originally supplied with the Yamaha 400cc engine. This turned out be a poor choice because it is air-cooled and with the enclosed rear end of the Pulse, this engine will overheat in warmer temperatures.
Most factory built Pulses from #261 to the end of production had Honda water-cooled engines such as the 500cc, 1100cc or the 1200cc. This is a much better engine choice, but it will also overheat in slow parades when the temperature is in the 90’s.
Today, many Pulse owners are re-powering their cars with the Honda 1100cc or 1200cc with a couple fans pointed toward the engine to eliminate overheating.
Some owners are also considering the 1500cc Honda engine which has the reverse gear already included.
Others have had success with Kawasaki 750cc or the hot Honda V65. Below are a few of the stories from owners regarding RE-POWERING of the PULSE.
These tips are from an authorized Honda Dealer and Pulse Club Member……Pete Hatfield
The stators on the 1200 (1984-1987) Gold Wing engine are far more prone to failure than the alternators on the 1100 engine. If you are getting a new engine, you would be better off, in my opinion as a Honda Dealer, to go with the 1100. The stator replacement is an expensive, engine out job on a two wheeled Gold Wing. It is a downright nightmare in a pulse.
In 2009, I will become the first Pulse owner to do an 1800 Gold Wing engine convert. 118 horsepower, fuel injection with built-in electric reverse.
More like repulse.
There was an IM-pulse purchase, of $ 1,725.00. Perhaps new owner has parts or really loves ’em…
no links? ahh, 24!+, hafta get my lazy fingers fumbelin…(can’t tell wassss there frm that mess’0 prts)
https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0118-321420/1986-pulse-litestar-autocycle/
http://www.autocycles.org/specs.html
A ‘real’ motocyclist would not B caught…