Servi-Car Box
Text and Pictures by Mark Trotta
The original Harley trike was designed primarily for automotive mechanics, so the cargo box had plenty of room for tools and supplies needed for house calls and road-side assistance.
Pictured: Author's 1961 G Model Servi-Car
Servi-Car Box Sizes
From the first-year Servi-car of 1932 up until 1941, the steel cargo box could be either small or large. This changed in 1942, when the two different size boxes were replaced with one intermediate-sized box. The metal cargo box was seen until mid-1967, when a fiberglass box was introduced.
This article covers the 1942 to mid-1967 metal box. Measurements are 48" wide, 33" long and 12" deep. The width without the two fenders is 35".
The 1942-1967 metal Servi-car box was manufactured for Harley-Davidson by the Chas. Abresch Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Storage capacity is seven cubic feet.
On 1951 and up models, a gold, red, and black water transfer decal from Chas. Abresch Company was usually located inside the cargo box lid.
Servi-Car Box Restoration
This cargo box is from my 1961 Harley Servi-car. It was originally from the New Orleans police department, and had been in storage by the previous owner for over 25 years.
The top lid is lockable, and the flat rear panel is perfect for advertising!
Dimensions of the rear metal bumper are 47-1/2" in length and 3" in height. Width is between 1/4" and 5/16".
Tail-lamps
Harley trikes from 1947 to 1954 had 'tombstone' shaped tail lamps, while 1955 to mid-1967 models had the rectangle versions, commonly seen on Sportsters and FX models up into the seventies.
This box was originally painted light blue with a white back panel.
Note the cut-out for the radio.
Paint removal was done outside and inside the box, mostly with a D/A sander.
Removing the paint down to bare metal was a long, long process!
Finally, in primer and ready for color coat.
Box Frame and Springs
The cargo box mounts onto a squarish metal frame cushioned by two coil springs. Both left and right springs are the same, and attach to the bottom of the box frame with a bolt. There are two washers (one on top, one on bottom) that sit inside the springs that mounts them.
Holding the cargo box to the box frame are carriage bolts with square nuts and washers.
**************
Wood Floor
The metal cargo boxes (1942-1967) have a sheet-metal bottom, and were covered with planks of tongue-and-groove pine. To stand up to commercial usage, the wood was usually painted black from the factory.
After sanding the original planks down to bare wood, a few coats of dark stain were brushed on.
**************
Rear Shocks and Mounts
Replacement shock absorbers for Servi-cars are still available. V-Twin # 54-1531 will replace your old shocks on 1942 to 1973 trikes and have the same eyelet dimensions and lengths (11.5" collapsed and 17-3/4" extended) as original.
NOTE: These shocks will also work on a 1932 to 1941 models that have been retro-fitted with 1942-1973 shock brackets.
There are left and right lower shock brackets that bolt to the Servi-car rear axle. These brackets will fit 1942-1973 Servi-cars. The dwindling availability of good used ones has brought about their remanufacture.
**************
Servi-car Tie Bar
A long metal tie bar connects the left and right leaf springs to the box frame.
The tie bar assembly includes bar, two springs, two clamps, bushing, two hex nuts, two lock plates, two clamp bolts, two 7/16" nuts with lock washers. They fit 1941 through 1973 Servi-cars.
Pictured: Servi-car leaf springs.
**************
Rear Fenders
Left and right fenders attach to either side of the box with 1/4" bolts. Mostly because of the different shaped tail lights, 1942-1954 fenders are slightly different from later 1955-1966 fenders.
After priming and checking for fit, the fenders were painted gloss black.
**************
Bumper Brackets
Pictured: Servi-car Bumper Brackets (placed upside down)
**************
Cargo Box Alternatives
Today, original Servi-car boxes in any condition are hard to come by and expensive. Several companies on the internet advertise new steel replacement boxes, which sell anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 plus shipping. Fenders are not included.
Although original or aftermarket boxes would make it more valuable, consider alternatives like a custom wooden bed, bench seat facing backwards, cooler, freezer, etc.
**************
"Rolling Storage Cart"
A Servi-Car box is rarely empty.
On many occasions, mine has served as a safe place to keep parts in while disassembling/repairing other motorcycles.
Rolling storage box, aka my Harley Servi-Car
**************
Related Articles:
1961 Harley Servi-car Restoration
Servi-Car History
Servi-car Rear Axle
Harley 45 Timer And Ignition
Servi-Car Electrical Upgrades
Harley 45 Scavenger Oil Pump Repair
