This is a bit different than our usual fare but I really enjoyed it when commenter Rod M sent it over! Here’s one where you’ll have to rely on your own power versus horsepower.
1971 Moto Guzzi Ercole
The Moto Guzzi Ercole (Italian for Hercules) is a fantastic vintage three-wheeler typically used as a shop/farm runabout. Able to carry nearly a ton, this bike truly earned the nickname. On either side of the rider there are optional fold out seats, upping capacity to 3 total individuals, and the bed works hydraulically.
“The Warthog Sidecamper” – 2011 Triumph Rocket III Custom
Combining a 2011 Triumph Rocket III and a Mini-Mate Camper (normally towed behind the bike), this beast is known as the “Warthog Sidecamper.”
Film Platform – 1991 Honda Gold Wing GL1500
3-22-24 Update: Six years later, this Gold Wing is back up for sale with a couple of changes: it’s now in Nevada and the asking price has been cut nearly in half. Find this Honda for sale in Henderson, Nevada for $7,980 here on Craigslist.
1984 Zoe Zipper
In 1983, Zoe (rhymes with Maui) Products of California licensed a three-wheeler from Mitsuoka Motors of Japan. The Zipper featured a 49cc Honda engine (5 horsepower) paired with a CVT with an electric reverse gear. Zoe claimed 45 miles per hour and 112 miles per gallon.
1984 Tritan A2 Aero Car
No, it’s not really a motorcycle. But that’s how it was classified because of its three-wheeled nature, and we’re going to run with it. The Tritan A2 was notable for having an incredible drag coefficient – just 0.15. Compare that to a period Toyota MR2, which had a Cd of 0.35. Amusingly, the only commercial “success” the A2 had was …
2013 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX 1200 With Ural Sidecar
The Stelvio was Guzzi’s pavement-focused competitor to the GS and Multistrada. The NTX was more off-road oriented (and it’s the only option the US got), and this one’s set up to carry a rider and some friends (and a whole lot of gear) on a variety of terrains.
1938 Brough Superior SS80 Deluxe With Petrol Tube Sidecar
The SS80 was named because Brough Superior guaranteed that each model would be able to top 80 miles per hour. Motor Cycle magazine had a different name for it – they called it the “Rolls-Royce of Motor Cycles.” Some people just consider it to be the predecessor to the SS100 – but no matter what you call it, it’s an …
Boxer Mashup: A BMW /6-Swapped Sidecar Rig
With their broad power bands, smooth torque delivery, and unfailing reliability, boxer engines have long been a natural first choice for sidecar platforms. BMW’s start with three-wheeled rigs was during the second World War, and, Ural – their Russian counterpart – is one of the few marques that still offers them fitted from the factory.
1961 Harley-Davidson Servicar Custom
Produced for nearly 40 years, the Servicar was a three-wheeler HD produced in an attempt to further expand their target customer base during the Great Depression. One of their selected targets was automotive mechanics, so this bike was designed to allow mechanics put their tools in the rear storage box to make house calls. It also had a tow hitch, …
Camera Platform – 1995 Honda CB1000 With Sidecar
Built with a 1995 Honda CB1000 (also known as the “Big One”) and a 1996 Mighty Mover 2 axle trailer, this is an interesting sidecar that’s been built specifically for filming tracking shots. The seller states that it has been used in “numerous commercials, film, and television productions” – I’m not sure what a non-industry rider would do with it, …
Custom Trike – 1987 Honda Hawk Hondamatic
Here’s an amusing oddball for you – half of an automatic Hawk that’s been grafted to…something crazy.
497 Miles – 1986 Honda Gyro S
Introduced in 1982, the Gyro series of scoots are three-wheelers (one in the front, two in the back) where the body is able to lean up to 40 degrees compared to the rear axle! GYRO is actually an acronym, which stands for “Great Your Recreation Original”. Well, the translation’s not great, but you get the idea. The initial designs were …
The Widow Maker – Jet-Powered Trike
In 1972, EJ Potter (also known as the Michigan Madman) showed off an incredible trike in Lakeland, Florida. Doing his best Dr. Strangelove impression, EJ basically straddled a Fairchild J-44 jet engine on wheels. It was a short lived experiment – the 1,200 hp rolling jet engine was claimed to have crested 200 mph before it crashed at 120 mph …
Art Deco Custom – 2010 Piaggio MP3
When I first saw this, I thought it was Randy Grubb’s Deco Tri-Pod. Upon closer inspection, all I can tell you is that it’s not the Deco Tri-Pod – but the seller of this example unfortunately doesn’t give much information on it beyond saying that it has a handcrafted aluminum and copper body.