Japanese three-wheeled motorcycle

[David DeWeese]

Sorry for late reply. Thank you very much, Stuart!

To let you guys know, I posted the need for information and photos on this motorcycle on several sites, even the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, and to date have received more information from the MLU crowd than all the rest combined!
Thanks again!
David

[B. Ryley]

Hello,

What is the status of your restoration? I know the location of another thjree-wheeled motorcycle that needs restoration.

Thanks, Bryan

[David DeWeese]

Hi Bryan,
Progress on the restoration is very slow as my friend has many projects going at once. Last time I asked him, he had finally reproduced the needed parts for the engine and had assembled it. Beyond that, probably not much else has been done.

Any information you can share would be greatly appreciated! Have any photos?

As a side note, he was visited a few months ago by the guys from the show "American Pickers" on The History Channel.
Here's a link to an interview with him after the filming: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwTjJ9-J144
Thanks, David

[Mike Cecil]

Gents,

The AWM has an un-restored Kurogane motorcycle and side car combination, ex-New Guinea, in storage at Mitchell Annex. There are also a number of spare parts (most of an engine and gearbox). I understand the mechanicals are the same as the tricycle subject of this thread, ie, based on early Harley Davidson.

Might be useful to contact the AWM and request either an access visit or for images.

Mike C

[David DeWeese]

Thanks Mike,
I will try and contact the AWM with some photos of this trike and see what happens...
Talked to him last night and he still says this motorcycle shares no similar mechanical components with a Harley, so isn't one of the Harley clones.
What he wants most is a data plate photo or some manufacturer's information.
Thanks, David

[Mike Cecil]

That's interesting David: I've learnt something!

When we (ie curatorial staff at AWM) were investigating the Kurogane Combination (M/cycle and side car) prior to purchase, all indications were that it shared engine and gearbox components (V twin engine) with the tricycle. The components were, in turn, derived from an early Harley design according to a well-known Harley restorer friend of mine in Sydney.

But 'derived from' does not necessarily mean 'compatible with', of course: the engine might look similar, but that doesn't mean the components were interchangeable. We frankly didn't look that far into it: out main focus was the Kurogane combination on offer to the National Collection, and that part of its history that was significant to Australia.

The AWM has a general email address for inquiries (see the website). They will log your inquiry on 'REFTRACKER', and forward it to the relevant section to provide an answer within the prescribed period (I think within 10 days).

Regards

Mike C

[David DeWeese]

Mike,
Thank you very much for your information and help.

I wish I could get him in on this conversation, as I will admit I don't know a Harley from a Honda, and all the finer points are lost with me as a middle man..

Unfortunately, he is without a computer, and probably will never get one.

He's an old school biker to the core, as you can see from the video, but those are the kind of interesting folks you can learn the most from.
Thanks again, David