Harley-Davidson Cycle Tow (1930)
Before Harley-Davidson introduced the Servi-Car in 1932, another company offered an unusual conversion known as the Cycle Tow. First sold in 1930, it transformed a standard Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a temporary three-wheeler for towing and utility work.
What Was the Cycle Tow?
The Cycle Tow was an aftermarket attachment rather than a factory Harley-Davidson model. It could be fitted to a Harley-Davidson VL or DL motorcycle and added two rear wheels behind the machine. This gave the motorcycle added stability while towing and created a compact utility vehicle without requiring the purchase of a dedicated commercial machine.
That concept had clear appeal during the early years of the Great Depression, when owners wanted maximum usefulness from one vehicle.
How It Worked
The Cycle Tow used a folding rear-wheel assembly. When towing or utility work was needed, the extra wheels were lowered into operating position. When the owner wanted to ride normally, the assembly folded upward and forward.
It was an inventive compromise that tried to give one machine two personalities: work vehicle and solo motorcycle.
A Utility Conversion for Existing Harleys
Harley-Davidson had already proven there was demand for work-oriented motorcycles through machines such as Motorcycle Truck and Package Truck. But those were dedicated commercial vehicles.
The Cycle Tow targeted a different buyer: someone who already owned a Harley-Davidson and wanted extra usefulness without replacing the motorcycle.
Why It Failed
Surviving accounts suggest the Cycle Tow worked reasonably well for towing. Its weakness came when ridden in normal solo form. With the mechanism folded, the motorcycle could feel awkward and unstable compared with a standard Harley-Davidson.
From Cycle Tow to Servi-Car
The Cycle Tow and Servi-Car addressed the same demand for a small Harley-based utility trike, but they took very different approaches.
Introduced in 1932, the Servi-Car replaced folding helper wheels with a dedicated rear axle, reverse gear, cargo box, and stable three-wheel layout. It remained in production until 1973.
Cycle Tow vs. Servi-Car
- Cycle Tow: aftermarket conversion
- Servi-Car: factory Harley-Davidson model
- Cycle Tow: folding rear-wheel helper system
- Servi-Car: dedicated rear axle and chassis
- Cycle Tow: short-lived niche product
- Servi-Car: produced 1932–1973