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Designed for mechanics, the 1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car served as a workhorse for on-site motorcycle repairs. Check out more images of this iconic vehicle.Like its predecessors, the 1947 Harley-Davidson Servi-Car was built for auto repair shops, enabling mechanics to make house calls for repairs.
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If a mechanic couldn’t finish repairs using the tools in the Servi-Car's cargo box, they could tow the motorcycle back to the garage by attaching it to the car’s rear bumper with a tow bar, provided the car was still operational. Similarly, it could be used to return the vehicle once repairs were completed.
The storage compartment was spacious enough to hold a mechanic's entire set of repair tools.Throughout the years, Servi-Cars have been repurposed for various tasks, with parking enforcement being one of the most common. The example featured here was acquired by the Milwaukee Police Department specifically for this role. Notice the chalk stick affixed to the box behind the seat. Since cars were typically parked on the right side, the officer would use their right hand to wield the stick, which meant the throttle had to be placed on the left. Consequently, the shifter was relocated to the right, making this model a reverse version of the standard setup.
Servi-Cars were powered by a 45-cubic-inch flathead V-twin engine and typically came equipped with a three-speed transmission, including reverse.
The Harley-Davidson Servi-Car remained in production up until 1973.The 1964 model marked Harley's first bike with electric starting. These models stayed in production until 1973, continuing to use the 45 flathead engine throughout.
The oil and gas caps were positioned on either side of the speedometer for easy access.To learn more about Harley-Davidson and other classic motorcycles, see:
- Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
- How Harley-Davidson Works
- How Choppers Work
- Chopper Profiles
- Classic Motorcycles
- How Motorcycles Work
