My first Harley Davidson project!

I wasn't looking for this old Harley when I came across the ad for it on the facebook marketplace a few days ago. I've never really been a Harley guy. I kind of like the Sportsters, but otherwise Harley just doesn't have anything else that speaks to me. Frankly, I'd be more of a Buell type if I still had any real desire for a two-wheeled toy.

But some of their older stuff, evidently, is just sufficiently weird enough for me.

It was one of those ads you read and say to yourself, “Huh...really? That's a Harley Davidson?” It (1) runs and (2) needs some work. Owner says (3) he may trade. There are three things that pique my interest!

So, I messaged the seller on the off-chance he'd be interested in trading for this old Kawasaki 4 wheeler I have. He replied that he would, in fact, be interested...so it was time to get together and take a look.

I looked it over and he was right. It runs, just barely, and needs quite a bit of work. It has been sitting in the corner of the garage for a few months...but it does start up and run without so much as a jump start.

So I said I'd think about it...I wanted to do some research and make sure I'm not biting off more than I can chew. I've never owned one before.

After a little bit of research, I was confident I could probably do something with the project, so I contacted the seller and the deal was on.

Then I went and picked up my new Harley!

Wait...Did I just hear a record scratch in the background?

Oh...ha! Yeah, you though this was a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Of course...who wouldn't?

But no. No...this is a Harley Davidson, elecctric, 4-wheel golf cart.

OK Seriously, now.

Evidently Harley Davidson started making golf carts way back in the '60s or so. It appears to be a '73 model. It has six 6 volt batteries for a total of 36 volts.

A bunch of solenoids

And a motor with a wobbly brake rotor on the end

To be able to tell people “Look at the Harley I just bought!” while pulling up a photo of it and then watch their reaction when they see an ancient golf cart...that's worth the price of entry right there.

Now I'm off to see if I can find a vest, some chaps, and a spikey-studded naugahyde hat!

I had been half-interested in a golf cart for a while now. I picked up a junky old 4 wheeler this past winter...but it was more of a project than I cared to take on...and not quite as useful as I had hoped. So when I had the opportunity to trade that same junky 4 wheeler for a presumably equally-junky golf cart...it seemed like the thing to do.

Being neither a golfer, nor a chap-clad biker, you may be wondering what the point is.

I expect Mrs. Sparks will be able to use this on a daily basis to cart hay and such around the property while tending to her horses.

I can get a good deal on golf cart batteries through my employer...so the time for me to own one of these has never been better.

The biggest challenge will be to keep it from becoming some sort of restoration project. It needs to be a work horse...or, uh...hog (?).

Eh...who am I kidding. That won't be the biggest challenge. Just keeping it running will be challenge enough.

To get it home I hitched up my friend's old 5' x 8' trailer to haul it.

Here we are at an abandoned old section of Old US Highway 40 just a few miles from home. The new old US 40 is off to the right of this frame. Interstate 70 is a mile or two south of this spot. Old, abandoned sections of highway like this are quite intriguing to me. They have nothing to do with Harley Davidson golf carts, however.

But I have a Harley Davidson golf cart!

After a charge cycle I have confirmed that the thing is woefully slow. I'm all but sure the batteries are done for. However, Mrs. Sparks gave it a whirl today and she has accepted (and claimed) the HarleyCart into the fold. She even asked when I'm going to put new batteries in it.

There are a few issues that need immediate Attention. The batteries, of course. The fact that reverse doesn't work. And the brakes are weird. Also, the charge plug is a mess. I'll post up some photos as I start to tackle the issues.

If anyone has any vintage electric golf cart knowledge, I'm sure I'll be able to use quite a bit of it on this project.

when I was a wee lad my great grandparents lived at was really more of a summer resort but they lived there year round. Kids would get around on dirt bikes and stuff and no one complained. I had a 125 dirt bike but my sister could never get the hang of it so we tarted up a harley/amf golf cart for her. Hers was gas not electric but with some tweaks and the governor removed it could keep pace with us most days :)

Cool!

I do love the fact that there is no carburetor on this. As much as I like carburetors...it's a relief not to have one in this case.

Of course I made the moto hammock out of an electric cart. No real speed controller just 3 batteries, hooked up one for parking lot cruising (it was a tailgating vehicle) 2 for a bit of speed and 3 for when the young guys on the motorized coolers wanted to race ;)

I was thinking golf cart before I even clicked on this!

In reply to Woody:

I was thinking that or Aermacci.

In reply to Woody:

I, like almost everyone I've told about it so far, didn't have a clue there was such a beast (an HD golf cart). So I thought I'd have a little fun with the opening post.

My boss bought a Harley golf cart a few years ago. We sunk over a grand into batteries and another 3 or 4 hundred into tires, top, Plexi for the canopy and solenoids and another hundred on a charger to get it going. We use it to drive to the Napa about 4 blocks from our shop.

They will do exactly 10mph on level ground. If you can find a simple fix to get around that let me know.

Snowmobile engine...

... The previous owner thought maybe the lack of reverse was just one of the solenoids being inop.

I haven't figured out how all this wiring and solenoid sorcery work yet...but here's a diagram:

I remember ours was not running in reverse and we had to replace the key switch.

Ours is a three wheeler. If you get up to top speed in reverse and mash the brake it will do a little stopping and when it does so the front suspension and wheel can and will fall out

I am jealous of your front suspension

Jumper K. Balls wrote: Ours is a three wheeler. If you get up to top speed in reverse and mash the brake it will do a little stopping and when it does so the front suspension and wheel can and will fall out I am jealous of your front suspension

I'm laughing out loud for real.

I'll get some photos of the suspension and stuff before too long. I noticed the back has one shock in the middle. 2 coil springs. The front seems to be a trailing arm setup. But I don't remember much else about it. I'd better tell the wife to avoid getting it airborne until we make sure it doesn't have the "JATO" suspension feature yours does.

ClemSparks wrote:

Jumper K. Balls wrote: Ours is a three wheeler. If you get up to top speed in reverse and mash the brake it will do a little stopping and when it does so the front suspension and wheel can and will fall out I am jealous of your front suspension

I'm laughing out loud for real.

I literally did the same thing!

My dad's old gas powered Parcar has been a PITA recently, so I'm going to keep an eye on this to see if electric life is easier. I will say this Parcar will bark the turf saver lawn mower tires it's wearing on start up. But the choke isn't working, So the first startup of the day is a bit of a gamble on if it's happening or not.

Does it only have the one inboard(?) brake on the end of the motor? Is that typical for golf carts?

Wonder how far a Hobbyking gift card and a SimonK brushless RC motor controller could get you here.

I am really interested in the relationship between 6 batteries and 5 solenoids. My limited electrical knowledge is overwhelmed there.

I, too, am interested in how this scheme works. If anyone cares to explain the basics I'm all ears

Love the new Harley project. Looks like Livewire wasn't their first dip into electric vehicles

On a side note, I kind of want a Harley Topper to take to bike nights

Looks like a few things are missing from that diagram. But seems to be using two battery sets, one set of 3 batteries for low speed and two sets of batteries for high speed. Reverse might have just low speed. Those look like standard starter relays, so replacements should be fairly cheap.

TED_fiestaHP wrote: Those look like standard starter relays, so replacements should be fairly cheap.

Not exactly. Those are 36V "constant run" solenoids, or something like it.The right ones will have 36V stamped in the side. A lot of auto parts stores will have them. IF not, articulated trailers have them also. Check trailer shops/Grainger.

When I was a kid, my dad got an old cushman 3 wheeled golf cart for us kids to cruise around the boonies. I have lots of good memories of "Herbie". Good luck with the Hog.

ssswitch wrote: Does it only have the one inboard(?) brake on the end of the motor? Is that typical for golf carts?

Yes and I have no clue.