A note for steam jet fans next weekend Graham Sykes Force of Nature steam jet motorcycle will be attempting to increase his 2023 speed at Melbourne Raceway near York.

He did a few weeks ago at Elvington 163mph at the end of a standing start eighth mile.

At his Elvington run it was nearly aborted due to sticking water outlet valves he is in contact with American steam rocket specialists who have been very helpful.

Last Wednesday he collected me from York for his latest talk at P.E.E.M.S. club and showed another type of valve he will be using later on.

The photo is an early run at Melbourne Raceway.

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At Melbourne Raceway over the standing start eighth mile drag strip on Saturday he broke the course record and Sunday did it again with a top speed of 169 mph.

Next weekend at an airfield in Scotland where Guy Martin did some high speed runs Graham will run hopefully a standing start quarter mile at high speed with his steam rocket motorcycle..

He has not tried a full pressure vessel of water to date so should be a lot more to come.

This year he will be running the bike in Germany at a premier Drag Racing venue.

The engineering on his machine is mind blowing much of it done in his workshop at home.

Awesome stuff. That is quick. Not a lot of technical detail on their website but this one here LINK seems to say the bike carries a pressure vessel full of water that is heated to 200C under suitable pressure (14.5bar/225psi) by an external oil burner that presumably  is then disconnected. When the 200C water is released through a nozzle/s to atmospheric pressure it flashes off to steam and expands by the usual 1700 times in volume and provides the rocket propulsion in the process.

I reckon it takes a pair of cojones to straddle that thing!

Edited By Hopper on 19/06/2023 07:37:07

Awesome. Looks fantastic too.

Steve.

I have known Graham along time when 12 year old used to watch me and fellow speed attempt enthusiasts at various venues.

A very helpful person to the speed community I have been to his workshop many times the banter and conversation is memorable.

There are many technological things incorporated in his machine some American steam rocket specialists have been very helpful.

I have listened to talks by Graham they are so interesting.

After many years of creating his machine it now is leaving its mark on the speed scene.

Am just waiting for his results from next weekends blast over the standing start quarter mile in Scotland.

Yes keep us posted on how he goes please. Will be interested to see how she goes on a full tank of water!

I will do that there are modifications to what might be called fire tubes in the pressure vessel to increase heat transfer that I have never seen mentioned on this forum.

The latest pressure vessel it's twice the original ones size was welded using a specialist process that looks like a cross between a Mig and Tig welder and no purging gas required.

There are so many other very interesting things on this bike.

As Hopper says more please Windy it is interesting what is being done with steam with modern technology

The man's mad! Why not go the whole hog and fit a peroxide rocket such as were used on White Knight.

My friend has just done demonstration run last weekend at Hockenheimring he is going from strength to strength.

When he fits his very fast opening Steam outlet ball valves 200mph at the end of an eighth mile is a possibility at times there is a sonic boom when the steam is released to the nozzles.

LIVE | 2023 NitrOlympX FULL Nightshow - V8 Flames Burnouts Firework Drag Racing Hockenheimring

Things are moving on with my full size flash steam motorcycle project despite delays caused by serious health issues.

A friend from the record scene gave me a Honda Blackbird minus engine to fit my engine in have put new taper roller bearings in the headstock and at the moment checking the hydraulic disc brake system.

Its meant for straight line speed attempts so do not need the Honda bulky fuel tank so can get low down on the frame.

Have lowered the rear suspension by 3 inches.

The generator is awkward to place but will try a certain area for a test.

Have been donated a hydraulic lift by UK fastest motorcycle woman's husband to ease lifting.

I will do a test run to start with but have a volunteer (idiot) for competition runs have told him he will need asbestos underpants.

We have a lot of banter going on in the motorcycle and car straight line speed attempts that what makes it so enjoyable and a helping hand is there if needed.

Very subtle Windy to be pointed to a half-hour German language home video 'LIVE | 2023 NitrOlympX FULL Nightshow - V8 Flames Burnouts Firework Drag Racing Hockenheimring'

But at 16m40s, I think, is your friend's steam rocket, and it certainly does shift down the drag way!

Just had this pop up in my inbox, Windy has told us about it before, but there might be something in it

IMechE

Just had this pop up in my inbox, Windy has told us about it before, but there might be something in it

IMechE

That is real praise and acknowledgment. Well done.

JA

^^ Yes, thanks for that - also a good description of what the bike is actually like from the riders pov, interesting..

Is there a press release anywhere?

Neil