Harley-Davidson introduced the Tri Glide in 2009, but it was far from being the first trike model in the company’s history. Back in 1932 the Motor Company introduced the Servicar, which went on to become one of its longest running product lines, only being discontinued in 1973.
However, many of those original Servicars have resurfaced on the custom scene, so it was really only a matter of time before the Tri Glide caught the attention of the custom market too. In this case it is Arlen Ness who has taken on the challenge of creating a custom Tri Glide, and in doing so he has created a parts line owners of Tri Glides can utilize on their own trikes.
The first custom Tri Glide to emerge from the workshop was a customer commission based upon a 2009 model, one of the trikes built by Lehman Trikes for Harley-Davidson before production was moved in-house with the 2011 line.
Beginning at the front of the trike, a Ness Wrapper fiberglass fender designed as a part for Baggers, which bolts directly on ‘87 onward FLT models, was fitted along with a 23in G3 wheel. Custom fenders for the rear though had to be especially designed and made. Now available as the Street Dragger rear trike fenders, they work with the stock 15in wheels or the 18in G3 wheels used here with Goodyear‘s Eagle GT 215/45ZR18 tires.
To improve the trike’s handling with the larger front wheel, a set of 4.5-degree raked billet aluminum triple trees were added. The front end then further benefited from the addition of Ness Deep Cut fork legs and fork boots. The whole package was then topped off with Paul Yaffe Bagger Nation Monkey Bars, Deep Cut grips and Ness Rad III mirrors.
The Deep Cut accessory theme is carried through the floor boards, passenger boards and exhaust tips. Apart from the addition of the Ness/Reinhart exhaust, Ness Big Sucker air cleaner and Big Shot EFI tuner, the 103ci motor has been left stock. Similarly, the only changes to the transmission are the addition of a belt drive, a Rivera Pro clutch and a Ness primary cover.
Once the build was completed it was painted by Ness’ painter Steve Farone, who applied the black base and Arlen Ness designed flames. He then carried on and painted a Road Dog trailer to match.
ARLEN NESS ENTERPRISES
