Thruster Big Wheel BMX Wheelie Bikes

The first Thruster Big Wheel BMX Wheelie Bikes are due early December with more coming early next year. Thruster are one of the oldest BMX brands around. Here is a bit of information from there website about them https://thruster.bike/

Thruster was a brand of BMX bicycle manufactured in Wayne, New jersey by Speed Unlimited. Speed Unlimited was owned by Lee Van Ormer and Tom Daniel. They had set a world record for the fastest rocket car, the "Vanishing Point". The record was known as the Land Speed Record. In 1978 the Thruster bike was known as the Thruster LSR. They even had the race car on the front of the bicycle jersey and logo.

According to this interesting page, Tom Daniel was the founder of Thruster. He was bank rolled by Sam Miller who's son by the same name, was the driver of Vanishing Point. Ron Vigneri also helped with Thruster but it is unclear exactly what his role was. It mentions that he owned the Tennis courts in Kinnelon, NJ. That explains the connection as they held BMX races at those courts. Not sure if this was before or after he was working with Thruster.

Speed Unlimited manufactured the frames in their small Northern New Jersey headquarters. It was not all that far from the legendary Craigmeur Raceway that hosted the 1978 and 79 NBA East Coast Nationals. First location in 1978 and 79 was 45 Jerome Place. This was actually a house and Thruster was in the basement. They moved in late 1979 into a building at 105 Dorsa Ave.

They were one of the makers of Hutch. Speed Unlimited also made bikes it appears for Puch, Swoopco (small Indiana company) and Hank & Frank (Oakland, CA bike shop and team).

Around 1983 Tom Daniel would turn over control of Thruster to Lee Van Ormer. Its not exactly clear what Lee's relationship was to Thruster before that. Around 1984 Tom would pass away from a heart attack.

They entered the BMX scene in a big way in late 1978 picking up soon to be NBL National #1 Sal Zeuner and his brother Terry. In 1978 the NBL had no Pro class so the Pros raced 16 Expert. They also picked up the fast and fan favorite Timmy Judge from Florida. Both racers would score covers of Bicycle Motocross Action for their new sponsor.

Tragedy then struck one of their New Jersey factory riders. Speed Unlimited would be forced to close it doors. I believe this was sometime in 1984 or 85.