Japanese three-wheeled motorcycle

[cletrac (RIP)]

I got this off the net. Being a Harley clone, a lot of parts might work which would simplify restoration.
Wartime History
The main motorcycle used by the Imperial Japanese Army was built by Sankyo, and later Rikuo (Kurogane). This motorcycle was a licence built copy of the 1937 American Harley-Davidson, with only minor changes. Powered by V-twin cyl, 1196cc air cooled driving 3 speed gear box and reverse chain drive. Many were supplied with side cars, which can be fitted with a light machine gun.

Tricycles
Popular in civilian life for transport, the Army also adopted motorcycle tricycles, known as Sanrinsha that used a variety of motorcycles, including the Type 97.

[Stuart Kirkham]

Finschhafen, New Guinea 1943



Nagasaki 1945



Milne Bay, New Guinea 1942

[Mike K]

A friend in NZ owned one..a Kurogane .... it was recovered from the Solomon Islands and restored, the NZ restorer for some reason finished it in civilian livery ..... my friend has since sold it on...

I can pass on his email via a PM if your interested.

Mike

[Tony Smith]

Some more pics.
The number plate on the back of the Milne Bay trike is for the Japanese 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (what are commonly referred to as "Jap Marines", but are actually Naval Infantry, if you can understand the difference!). Milne Bay was originally assaulted on the 25 Aug 42 by a force of 1150 men with light tanks and artillery from the 5th Kure SNLF and the 5th Sasebo SNLF, but when these met with resistance from the Australians they were reinforced ex-Guadalcanal by a 2nd wave of 570 men from 3rd Kure SNLF and 200 from the 5th Yokosuka SNLF. The assault failed and the remaining trops were withdrawn. The 3rd Kure SNLF and 5th Yokosuka were the defending garrison forces on Tulagi and Guadalcanal respectively, with the 5th Yokosuka being the larger force involved against the US Marines owing to the size of the forces detached for Milne Bay.

If your friend's Trike is from Guadalcanal, it is most likely a 5th Yokosuka relic.

[David DeWeese]

Thanks everyone for the great information and photos! My friend will be thrilled!
He is a lifetime collector of Harleys, with around 100 or so vintage motorcycles, some dating back to the early 1900's. Not being on the internet, though, it is almost impossible for him to get the information he needs for this one.
He is trying to rebuild the valve train on it now to get it running. He knew about the Rikuo Harley clones the Japanese built, but says real Harley parts are not even close. Totally different design of the engine. Also interesting is that this trike has a rear differential, axle and leaf springs just like a small truck would have.
Luckily all the parts are there for it except the front fender, headlight and those splash shields on the front. Now he has some photos to work with to find or reproduce some of these parts.
If he gets it running, we'll pull it out to take some decent photos.
Any other information is still greatly appreciated.
Thanks again!
David

[Stuart Kirkham]

Another pic.

For a larger version, click here....http://images.google.com/hosted/life...b99983e2f252a4

[David DeWeese]

Sorry for late reply. Thank you very much, Stuart!

To let you guys know, I posted the need for information and photos on this motorcycle on several sites, even the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club, and to date have received more information from the MLU crowd than all the rest combined!
Thanks again!
David