While I’m confessing away, I should add that it was an unfinished VW trike I bought from my buddy Randy Costa. More of an unfinished mockup than a unfinished trike, I built up a hot rod VW engine, got the wheels and tires I wanted and dabbled in fiberglass for my very first time. That’s where my stolen style of Mr. Roth came in (or so I thought proudly at the time, but not now). Oh the body work could be called Roth wild if you like extremely badly done glass work and no sense of style (on my part, not Ed’s).
But it ran fast as hell, wheelied like hell (bent more than one set of skinny fork tubes landing the spool front wheel), and felt like it was going to send me straight to hell whenever the road curved much. But I loved it, thought it was the coolest thing ever, and thought I was the coolest guy ever for owning it. That’s why I’ve kept it all these years even though I now know none of that was true and it was unfortunately not the prettiest thing to look at.
I’ve had a lot of Harleys over the years and still have a few personalized (two-wheel) bikes that I’ve poured my heart into (“heart” = code for money) and that I ride a lot. I would appreciate a cherry Servi-Car now that I’m an old dude, but more for looking at than riding which is probably why I don’t have one. But something about the new Freewheeler model has got me thinking trike again. To me, that bike just looks like fun, especially after I changed a few things (what Harely owner doesn’t?) to make it even more sexy looking than it already is.
The Freewheeler trike just looks like fun, fun, fun with a walk on the cool side too. I’m sure it goes, stops, starts, handles, and brakes better than my old girl even when she was in her prime (ya think?)I’ll take mine in the old base black for 25 large and go from there. For more information on the new 2015 Freewheeler, just keep reading below for Harley-Davidson’s own take on its new trike model or visit www.h-d.com.
Harley-Davidson puts hot-rod swagger on three wheels with the 2015 Freewheeler™ motorcycle, the all-new trike model that fuses pure custom style and easy-handling performance. From its ape-hanger handlebar to its bobtail fenders the Freewheeler is a page ripped straight from the bad-attitude handbook, offered in a size that’s shorter and lighter for a riding experience like nothing else on the road.
Riding on three wheels has never been cooler. The Freewheeler front end is all new and features a chrome, seven-piece nacelle that’s tucked tight to the forks and holds a Dual Halogen headlamp in a polished chrome bucket. A trim front fender tops a 19-inch Enforcer Cast Aluminum wheel with machined highlights. The all-new rear body shape gives the Freewheeler a low, lean profile and incorporates a weatherproof trunk designed to hold two full-face helmets. The top trunk door opens right-to-left for easy loading. Dual chrome mufflers with slash-down tips are inset in the bottom of the trunk. Bobtail fenders terminate in an arrogant flip to expose the rear tires, and incorporate bright LED stop/tail/turn lamps.
The Freewheeler puts more riders a comfortable, confident position. That 12-inch mini-ape handlebar offers the tallest rise available on any motorcycle to place the hand controls closer to rider and reduce steering effort. The seat is shaped to move the rider forward for a better reach to the foot and hand controls, with a passenger position designed for comfort while blending with the bodywork. Soft-touch passenger grab rails are easy to grip and mount directly to the body.
The Freewheeler is equipped with electronic cruise control, a foot-activated parking brake, electric reverse gear and a hydraulic Assist and Slip clutch with reduced lever effort. The linked brake system allows the rider to apply both the front and rear brakes through the rear brake pedal. The full front brake system is applied only through the front brake lever and remains independent. Built around a chassis engineered exclusively for a three-wheeled vehicle, the Freewheeler offers premium Harley-Davidson quality and performance, backed by a full factory warranty and the network of authorized Harley-Davidson dealers
Freewheeler Highlights
• Premium Paint color options
• Rubber-mounted, Air-Cooled 1690cc High Output Twin Cam 103™ engine with integrated oil cooler; finished in Black with chrome covers
– 6-Speed Cruise Drive® transmission
– Electric reverse with handlebar mounted control and LED indicator light
– Hydraulic Assist & Slip clutch actuation
– Electronic Cruise Control
– Low-maintenance belt drive
• Seven-piece nacelle tucked in tight against the frame and forks
• Low-profile trunk with full-width lid that opens right to left; 2 cubic-foot capacity and designed to carry two full size helmets
• One-piece, two-up reduced reach Comfort Stitch seat moves rider one inch forward
• Bobtail rear fenders with integrated lighting
• Stop/tail/turn LED rear lighting
• Specific console design with reverse indication light in speedometer face and black-faced gauges
• 12-inch mini-ape handlebar brings hand controls close to the rider and reduces required turning force
• Soft-grip passenger grab rails
• Dual Halogen headlamp
• Ergonomic hand controls with intuitive design and tactile feel
• Hydraulically linked braking system
• Foot-activated parking brake
• Air-adjustable rear shocks
• Streamlined, low-profile front fender
• Enforcer Cast Aluminum wheels; 19-inch diameter front wheel
• Chrome dual exhaust with slash-down mufflers
• Full-length rider footboards with heel/toe shift levers