Saw a mid 70's trike that's pretty rough.
Guy said it was used as a meter reader vehicle.
Most of the parts are there. Tank, hub caps, original front end.
Foot clutch
Guy said the tranny is geared low and slow.






Anybody know about this.
I've not seen one

 

Yeah, low and slow pretty much sums up a 45 in stock trim, specially dragging a third wheel around. So don't expect to be highway cruising on it. 45mph more like it.

But they are a fun old bike. That one looks like pretty late model with the alternator and electric start. First two digits of the engine number should give you the year. I think they ran as late as about 73 or so. Kind of a living fossil running a flathead several decades after the rest of the world gave them up.

You can still get lots of NOS parts for the engine and trans, although not as many as a few years ago, so can be a good project if the price is right.

 

Theres a guy on the Albany area craigslist that has two of them for sale. They look stock and original from the little I know lol. Wish I had the cash just laying around. I remember them from my youth. You'd see the meter maids going up and down central avenue giving out parking tickets. It would be fun novelty to own one.

 

Not long after I got my first bike dear old mom did her level best to try and talk me into giving up 2 wheels for one those, could get them for like $300 intack and running from the city at the time. All I saw was a slow boat that would effectively ground me again , slow and no range and a grand excuse for me to run shopping errands for her constantly.

Knew a guy in Ohio who had a real thing for them, had a barn full of old 45's & servi-cars. Lost track of him years ago.

 

What are they called exactly?
My dumb *** is wondering about what can be done to it. Seeing it piqued a curiosity.
Throw out a few prices you'd offer as it is.
I think he has paperwork.
Thanks guys

 

Name was Servi-car, came in several configurations but the most common was the police version. 3 speed trans with a reverse instead of a 4th gear, 45-50mph they are maxed out. Low compression motor, only 5-1, they were perfect for city use.

 

 

Wonder how long that old Servi-car diff, designed to take the 45's 28-horsepower, will last with that Evo Sporty engine pumping through it? Although, knowing Harley of that era, the diff is probably so over-engineered it will take it.

 

Harley Davidson Servicar, built until 1973.

Mechanically it looks complete, but the front end is after market and of course all of the body work is missing. Not sure if the VIN # on the motor starts with the model year after 1970, should follow the factory method, so the last two would give us the year. Unless it is 1969 or older, than yeh left side of the motor under the carb is the VIN#.

Current market price, with paper work and running, maybe $5k. Going to cost to get her back to stock, even the later fiberglass boxes go for over $1k. Maybe you could sell the front end to a Chopper Kid for some return on your investment. For me, I would look for an older one with the metal box, no alternator and electric start. They are just answers looking for a question.

 

Again, thanks for the info.
My next step is go and get an idea of what parts are there. See the paperwork. Get the numbers off the bike. What his plan is and if it's for sale.
Is it a 3 sp with reverse?
What's with the chev alternator?
He said it has a Ford solenoid.
He's a younger guy mid 30's.
Bike might be from Oregon.
His Dad passed away is how he got it.