Harley-Davidson has a long and storied history in Japan. So much so that I've already written four articles on the subject, Harley Goes to the Far East: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4. This article focuses on an interesting hybrid machine built by the Japanese in 1934. The addition of stronger frame components and two rear wheels turned these Harleys into heavy duty commercial vehicles.
I have not found the Japanese name for these vehicles, but Servi-Car on steroids seems appropriate. The Japanese started with a Harley-Davidson VL which was powered by a 1200cc flathead v-twin engine, in comparison, the US made Servi-Car used a 750cc flathead. They then removed the single rear wheel and replaced it with a two-wheel axle which connected to a 3-speed transmission with a longer drive chain. In order to increase the payload additional frame members, similar to a car frame, were mounted down each side of the motorcycle. You can see from the included pictures that these vehicles could carry a lot of weight.
1934 was the last year that all Harley's in Japan were imported. By 1935, the Shinagawa factory was producing 100% made in Japan Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
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