Top Gun premiered in 1986, and Navy recruiting skyrocketed as dreamers saw themselves as Maverick flying through the air. Others found flight school to be a difficult undertaking. On the ground, however, a one-of-a-kind vehicle offered a glimpse of that soaring fantasy: the 1985 Pulse Autocycle. This unusual machine was half motorcycle, part car, and part airplane wannabe, and it answered the question of what happens when you can’t fly, but yet crave the thrill.
Jim Bede, an aviation designer, created the Pulse, which was built by the Owosso Motor Company in Michigan between 1985 and 1990. Bede is best known for his tiny Bede BD-5J, the same one seen in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Only about 326 Pulses were ever made and chassis number 162 is now being offered on Bring a Trailer.
Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X (Compatible with PC)
- Wide hand-rest for optimal comfort.
- Programmable: The 12 buttons and 5 axles are entirely programmable
- Dual-system, aerodynamic control: By rotating handle (with integrated blocking system) or by progressive tilting lever
Its red painted fiberglass body stretches over a sleek steel tube frame that looks like the fuselage of a fighter jet. A tinted acrylic canopy opens to reveal tandem seats for two trimmed in brown vinyl with striped accents. Outriggers—the wing like extensions on either side—house 8-inch trailer wheels with Antego tires which act as stabilizers to keep the vehicle upright in curves or at a stop. Only three of its four wheels are in contact with the ground at any given time—a nod to its motorcycle heritage. Progressive Suspension shocks which were upgraded in 2023 improve the ride, 13-inch main wheels with Achilles tires and disc brakes give traction and stopping power.
Inside, it resembles a low-cost flying simulator. A three-spoke steering wheel, rather than a yoke, welcomes the driver, as does a Nippon-Seiki/XS400 instrument cluster with an 85-mph speedometer and 12k-rpm tachometer. The six-speed manual transmission is operated with a stick at the right elbow, and there is an electric reverse unit for added convenience. The odometer reads 18,000 miles, but the actual number is unclear after years of storage. A Pioneer cassette stereo, lap belts, and a map pocket complete the setup.
It’s powered by a 399cc Yamaha 4 stroke parallel twin motorcycle engine from the XS400, which was installed in 2023 by 2 Wheels Heaven in Orlando, Florida, and features dual 32mm Mikuni carburetors as well as Yamaha’s Induction Control System. A BikeMaster gold-tone drive chain sends power to the back wheel, and chrome megaphone mufflers make the exhaust sound throaty. The refurbishment process involved cleaning the carbs and fuel tank, as well as installing new clutch components, batteries, stator, and seals.
This Pulse #162 is proud of its history, having been stashed away and stored like a relic following its maiden run in New Jersey in 1987. The second owner bought it in 2017, and the current owner purchased it in 2019, before restoring the vehicle. The nose cone was restored and repainted following a minor accident in 1987, and it complements the red fiberglass. The sale includes a bespoke cover, original engine, tow bar, aircraft wheel chocks, spare parts, and full repair history – a veritable treasure trove for any enthusiast.
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