A HOP Rod. Gas-powered pogo stick

I was a friend of the late, great, Herb Ottaway. He was the inventor. If yours says Jacobson, someone put that decal on after it left Chance Ind. All production models were labeled Hop Rod. The first prototype had a lawnmower engine and a throttle. The idea was you could lean forward and make real time with a throttle. Instead, it just became a jackhammer, and would hardly move at all. I recall 5 prototypes, and two production models. All still exist. The first production model had exhaust ports facing forward and backwards, oiling and heating your socks, shoes, pants, and legs all at the same time. The rear exhaust port was left undrilled in the second model. How high you could hop depended on your weight and body english/jumping power. An agile, light, kid could get 3-4 feet off the ground with a lot of effort and technique. Part of that height was pulling the Hop Rod up higher in the air by bending your knees and pulling it up at the peak of the jump. If standing fairly straight, the max height is maybe 2 feet. It really doesn't look like much when watching an adult ride one. Except for the time I saw Herb riding one, waving his cowboy hat around his head, and hollering "Yippee!" as he demonstrated it for a crowd. I have three of them, and both production models, original box, store poster, and a couple of cans of Po-Go Go, the fuel. They are kinda cranky to make run right, and it is true there were a few injuries out there in consumer land. Danged lawyers ruin all the fun!

 

I have one of these also. Won it in a jumping contest many years ago from Oscar Kovalinski of Auto World.

Anyone know of any parts stashes for these? I am in need of the yellow handle and a new glow plug so I can complete the restoration and get it back on the road. I left the batteries in too long and the handle was ruined.

The question was asked how high it would go. I remember you could get nearly 2 feet (when I was 170#'s). I used model airplane fuel after I ran out of the special fuel I got with it the day I won it.

I haven't ridden it in over 30 years.

 

I had one for years - we used to get wasted and go out and amuse ourselves
with it. I think they are 250cc. The problem with them isn't really broken legs
cause you are only going about 2-3 feet high. The problem -at least with us -
is when you are leaning over and it fires the rubber plug slips and it gives a torque
spin up thru the handle - after I sprained both thumbs at the same time this way
I kinda stopped messing with it. And my job at the time was drilling holes in rocks
for a blasting company.
If you start digging in youtube you will see there is a new design out that runs
on propane. That one gets some height. it doesn't have the style of the air cooled
aluminum motor on the Hop-Rod. it looks like the hydraulics off a shovel loader.

 

We need some video of this!!!

 

In my minds eye, I see that thing wedged between my butt cheeks and missing my nuts

 

I think that is why they quit making them.

 

They were bad to bite an ankle too - if your foot slipped off. I use to loan mine to kids in the neighborhood who had seen me ride it till one got a bad skinned ankle and his parents came looking for me. Nothing came of it but it was the last time I loaned it out.

 

Selling mine this weekend at the Father's Day Roadster show. I won it at the first World of Wheels show in Phoenix, AZ. It's in "barn find" condition, sticker worn off, plastic handle painted black, 9 C-cell batteries fused inside the handle tube and the rubber foot pads reading "Hop Rod" at still good.

 

I purchased your Hop Rod and I love it. Would you call me @ 310-803-7815...Dave

 

One of my Hop Rods, a case of NOS Fuel cans, new unused boxes. a store display poster NOS and original stickers

 

Oh come one! Surely there is a video of one of these death traps out there somewhere...

 

Good Ole "You Tube"

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ajaUGlHUZ00" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

Cool, I want to try one on nitro, hahahahaha

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lutv8c2Kd6Y

 

Hey Relive,
Would love to purchase one of your Hop Rod decals. I have a Hop Rod (original owner) and need the decal as the tube got ruined when I left the batteries in. Fitted a new tube but need the decal.

Thanks!

 

That guy hasn't logged on in the last 5 years. HRP

 

I haven't laughed so hard in a l-o-o-o-o-ng time!

 

"I thought von dutch invented that. "
That's how myths grow. Von Dutch stole most of his ideas from Kenny Howard.

 

Remember when everybody's' brother was wearing the Von Dutch hats, etc.
They had no clue who Ken Howard was either!

 

Our world responded to that brief historical period with T-Shirts that said "Kenny Howard hates you"