Harley 2WD

This is the Harley-Davidson 2WD sidecar motorcycle, developed in 1942-43 for the U.S. Army. It was proposed as a light motorized vehicle for Mountain and Airborne divisions. The idea was that the second drive wheel in the sidecar would increase off-road mobility and provide a towing capacity.



Unfortunately, after field trials it was found that it struggled to pull even a light 75mm artillery piece. Being that it took up the same space and not much less weight than a Willis MB (a.k.a. - Jeep) on an airplane, the paratroopers gave it a thumbs down. Likewise with the Mountain boys, who also preferred the Jeep. The regular infantry just sniffed at it and walked away. Thus the project was abandoned.

It's a cool piece of Americana. Unfortunately, it does not appear as though any of the prototypes survived -- but you can be sure they'd still leak oil with the best of them if they had. (Oh, come on; you didn't really expect me post an article about a Harley without taking an obligatory jab, did you?)

Piclick for more.