1974 HARLEY-DAVIDSON GAS GOLF CART - CUSTOM FULL RESTORATION

Description

ATTENTION!!!
- - - - - - - READ BEFORE BIDDING - - - - - - -
CUSTOM FULLY RESTORED 1974 HARLEY-DAVIDSON GAS GOLF CART
- THE HISTORY -
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company started manufacturing golf carts in 1963. The first and most common carts were three-wheel versions in both gas and battery powered formats. Later they added the rarer electric four-wheel version and the even rarer gas four-wheel version. The 3-wheel versions outnumber the 4-wheel versions by more than 10:1. The tiller steering bar is common to most of the golf cars but a few rarer models came standard with a steering wheel instead.
Harley-Davidson golf carts were very fashionable in their era (Elvis Presley had one), but quite expensive to buy at the time - ,055 in 1967. The golf cart division was later sold to Columbia Par Car in late 1981.
The Harley-Davidson cart gas engine is a 250cc 2-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder with electric starter/generator and easy-to-use throttle-and-go operation. Just press on the gas pedal and the engine starts automatically and off you go. Lift off of the gas pedal and the engine automatically quits. The fiberglass body of the cart is also a tilt-up cover for the engine, electrical, and fuel tank compartment.
One of the interesting details of these unique Harley-Davidson golf carts is that they required the driver to let the engine shut off before switching between forward and reverse. That is because the direction the engine rotates is dictated by the direction the electric starter spins. A small lever on the floor is used to reverse the polarity of the starter, therefore spinning the engine in the reverse rotation. The Harley-Davidson 2-stroke engine would actually run as well in reverse rotation as it would in normal, forward rotation.
- THE BUILD -
This remarkable, one-of-a-kind Harley-Davidson golf cart is (was) arguably the nicest Harley-Davidson cart in the country and is a complete RestoMod from the ground up. No expense was spared and no detail overlooked. This cart runs perfectly and turns heads wherever it goes!
CHASSIS -
The front half is from a 1974 Harley-Davidson Model DE4 electric golf cart, while the back half is from a 1976 Harley-Davidson Model D 3-wheel, gas golf cart. Original serial number plates for both are attached to the chassis.
The frame halves were laser precision aligned, sleeved, and completely welded. New fuel tank and battery supports were fabricated and lightening holes were drilled in non-critical areas of the chassis to reduce weight. The entire frame and engine cradle were stripped to bare metal and then powder coated. The front sub-frame was stripped and powder coated and the sheet metal was replaced with new aluminum sheeting. Stainless steel rivets and fasteners were used, as well as insulating rubber strips, to eliminate any possibility of galvanic corrosion. A new floorpan was fabricated from polished aluminum diamond plate.
SUSPENSION -
The front suspension was installed using grade 8 fasteners and 100% synthetic grease, new bearings and races, new bearing caps, etc. The rear suspension received new bushings, bump stops, chrome 3-valve shock absorber, polyurethane spring isolators, and grade 8 fasteners.
STEERING -
New steering box bearings and races, new gaskets, new steering wheel and adapter, stainless steel steering shaft cover, stainless steel fasteners.
ENGINE -
The stock 250 CC 2-stroke engine was disassembled, bead-blasted, rebuilt and bored .030 over, new piston, rings, seals, rod bearings, gaskets, etc. The cooling covers were powder-coated and the ignition includes a new coil and custom Taylor plug wire. The air cleaner housing was powder-coated and a new genuine Tillotson carburetor was installed, as well as an electric fuel pump, new fuel lines, and a new fuel tank. The fuel tank was lowered 0.25” to allow clearance for a new fuel sending unit, and the stock plastic fuel tank access door was replaced with a custom aluminum Harley-Davidson logo door with Dzus fastener closure. A new muffler was also installed.
DRIVE -
A brand new OEM outer clutch housing was installed with new gaskets, a new drive belt, and new brake pads. The stock mechanical floor-mounted forward/reverse lever was converted to solenoids which are activated using a safety toggle switch mounted conveniently between the front seats.
ELECTRICAL -
A completely new wiring harness was created including an integrated fuse panel and new positive and negative bus-bars. New heavy duty 2 gauge copper wire for battery and starter/generator, new solenoids, regulator, capacitor, and starter/generator were installed, as well as an hour meter, LED license plate frame, LED taillights, and a 24-inch LED lightbar. A new polished aluminum dash was fabricated and includes a new fuel gauge and new Harley-Davidson voltmeter gauge, and miniature LED indicators. A new warning beeper and LED indicator warn the driver if they are in reverse. Electrical connectors were crimped, soldered, and protected with heat shrink.
BODY -
The stock fiberglass body was sanded and all cracks and flaws were repaired with fiberglass. Aluminum reinforcements were fiberglassed into the body for added strength and support. A fully insulated fiberglass cooler was fabricated behind the front seats and features a color-matching rubberized interior coating for protection and noise reduction and is equipped with dual drains. The body was primed with urethane primer and received two coats of 2-stage paint and 2 coats of clearcoat. Custom graphics were designed and installed as well as polished aluminum rear and side bumpers and kick plate. Dynaliner® was installed under the body for sound deadening and heat insulation. Steel body supports were replaced with aluminum for longevity and weight reduction. The two tilt body hinges were replaced with a custom, heavy duty, stainless steel continuous hinge for increased strength, support, alignment, and reliability.
MISCELLANEOUS -
Extended roof, full folding windshield, new tires, wheels, and wheel covers, new chrome lug nuts, new throttle cable, new choke cable, custom fake side exhaust pipes, new seats including covers, padding, and frames, new rear seat, stainless steel cup holders, carpeted hidden storage compartment beneath the dash. All fasteners including bolts, nuts, flat washers, lock washers, and rivets are stainless steel except for high strength-critical areas where Grade 8 fasteners were used. All metal parts were bead-blasted and nearly every steel part was powder-coated.
ATTENTION!!!
- - - - - - - READ BEFORE BIDDING - - - - - - -
- THE TRAGEDY -
This amazing cart was arguably the nicest Harley-Davidson Golf Cart in the country and was valued at between ,000 to ,000. Every part of this cart was perfect in every way. Over 100 hours were spent just on the body work alone. And then... a tree fell on it.
Fortunately, damage was limited mostly to cosmetic damage. The roof, windshield, and supports were completely destroyed and could not be salvaged. There are numerous scratches in the paint, a few fiberglass cracks, and a couple of punctures and abrasion in the new seats. There is no noticeable damage to any of the metal or structural parts of the vehicle, nor to the chassis, engine, or drivetrain. Photos show all the damage that I could find.
To view a short video of when I first purchased the cart AND the cart in its current running condition, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH9zX8ADkoo
- WHY I AM SELLING IT -
This resto-mod took over 2 years and thousands of hours to complete and was absolutely flawless. It was displayed and demonstrated at various Harley-Davidson, classic car, and golfing events and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing this cart’s story and history with spectators and admirers - as most people did not know that Harley-Davidson ever made golf carts.
After the tree fell on it, I moved it to an undamaged garage and covered it, as I could not bare to look at it after all of the work and money invested in it. After a few months I realized that I would never be able to get over what happened to it and was never going to repair it.
I removed the rest of the destroyed roof and windshield frame, installed a new battery, washed it, and test drove it to make sure everything still worked as it should - it does. I believe I have photographed all of the remaining damage and it should all be easily repairable. Spare graphics, paint, and extra parts are included with the cart. If you are having it shipped, the dimensions are listed below.
Current Hour Meter since restoration: 7.1 hours
Overall Length:
106 inches
Overall Width:
50 inches
Overall Height:
49 inches
- Some unsolicited comments from other Harley-Davidson cart builders -
“Amazing work!!!”
“Beautiful cart, excellent workmanship, almost too fine to use!”
“Top of the mark!”
“Wow!!!! Just wow! That’s a beautiful cart.”
“Absolute head-turner!!!”
“WOW, such a nice cart.”
“Fantastic work!”
“What an amazing amount of very impressive work all the way through.”
“Great work and a great looking cart!”
“Wow! Very nice! The cooler is my favorite!”