Three-Wheeled Harleys

For years, people have been converting their Harleys into three-wheelers by taking old car rear ends and grafting them onto their bikes. While they are a bit unwieldy, they get the job done. A whole industry has risen up to fill the need of older baby boomers who prefer the stability of a three-wheeled bike. One builder in particular has come to great prominence in the three-wheeled world. John Lehman started converting bikes to trikes twenty years ago. Since then, he has opened two factories, one in Canada and one in South Dakota. Riders of his bikes even have an owner’s group.

Traditionally, Harley has stayed out of the three-wheeled bike world. However, in 2006, they applied for a patent to build a three-wheeler with two wheels in the front. This radical design puts something of a racing front end on a traditional Harley frame. Later the same year, Harley-Davidson announced an agreement with Lehman to develop a three-wheeler. Many people assumed the venture was to build a two front-wheeled model, but now it is apparent it was to build a traditional trike style bike. In 2009, Harley introduced the Tri-Glide Ultra Classic, which sells for close to $30,000 and is along the lines of a Lehman three-wheeler.

Interestingly enough, despite their reluctance to get into the three-wheeled market, they did it briefly in 1985 with a two front-wheeled model. This bike had a front end like a racecar and two seats that were side by side. This strange looking craft cost more than many cars, and did not sell. It was unceremoniously and quickly removed from Harley showrooms throughout the country.