Harley-Davidson History--The Servi-Car

1968 Servi-Car Wikimedia public domain image

Before people started putting trike kits on their motorcycles, and before companies started manufacturing pre-made trikes, Harley-Davidson had the bright idea to make the Servi-Car. This was during the Great Depression, when their sales were flagging a bit, and most people didn't have any extra cash to spend on a motorcycle for pleasure.

Businesses however, did have money, and that is who the Servi-Car was targeted at. Mainly, garages, service stations and car dealerships. Why would these businesses need a motorcycle?

The original concept behind the Servi-Car was to create a small vehicle that could be towed behind cars that were being delivered. (garages and service stations used to do that!) Once the car was returned to it's owner, the delivery person could hop on the Servi-Car and head back to their job. Or, in some cases, the mechanic would carry tools to a car needing repair.

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Other businesses soon saw the value of these motorcycles. They had large toolboxes that made them perfect for small deliveries. Vendors and salesman used them for utility vehicles, and soon the police started riding them as well. In fact, police officers were still riding Servi-Cars as late as the 1990's, even though they were only manufactured between 1932 and 1973.

Unlike other motorcycles of the time, the Servi-Car was not built to be ridden on the highways. It had a rigid frame, and the axle track was set at 45", the same as a standard car. This made it ideal for riders to maneuver down rural roads because the bike tires easily fit in the ruts already made by cars and trucks.

The Servi-Car typically offered a three-speed transmission, plus reverse. Many elements of the design changed or were improved along with other HD bikes. As time went on they were given electric starters, spring protected forks, tow bars, and other features that kept them popular and useful for many years.

The Servi-Car didn't really lose popularity based on it's design. Rather the world changed around the Servi-Car, and when delivery men and others began using other automobiles, and service stations stopped delivering, the practicality of the Servi-Car was no longer worth the price of manufacture.

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