History of the Rikuo

[panhead_jim]

Most of you have probably know that Harley once had a factory in Japan that went on to produce the Rikuo in the 1930's. I've been researching this topic and the events the lead up to the creation of the Rikuo and what happens afterwards are pretty interesting. It's a lot of information, so I'm breaking into multiple articles. Here's part 1.

Harley Goes to the Far East: Part 1

[Chris Haynes]

You had better correct the statement "Harley once had a factory in Japan". It was not Harley building that machine.

[panhead_jim]

You had better correct the statement "Harley once had a factory in Japan". It was not Harley building that machine.

I guess it would be more appropriate to say that Harley licensed a factory in Japan to build motorcycles which then severed ties to HD and built the Rikuo, but I'll get to that in the next part of the story...

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Jim, the VL tricar pictured is in the 1934 paint scheme.

[cdf6333]

Great start. Love it. Thanks a lot.

[marsh1915hd]

There is one for sale in Portland OR. There was a motor for sale a few days ago,$15,000 LOL

[Jerry Wieland]

There is one for sale in Portland OR. There was a motor for sale a few days ago,$15,000 LOL

I have a set of cases for sale or trade. The last Rikuo I saw sell on eBay did not reach $8000 complete. I feel the motor is a bit over priced at $15000. Jerry

[exeric]

I've always thought of the Rikuo as a desireable motorcycle for Japanese collectors because of the origin, history connection to Japan, and the heritage connection to H-D. For American collectors I think the Rikuo is more of a special interest bike and doesn't have the panache that an American H-D 45 has for Americans. I feel the same way about Crockers. Great bike if you're a Californian, nothing special if you're from the rest of the world.

[panhead_jim]

Here's Part 2 of the story.

Harley Goes to the Far East: Part 2

[Steve Slocombe]

That's an early sidecar bike with the two soldiers on board, and looks like a '32, probably the year Harley made the deal with the Japanese. I wonder how much of it was built in Japan?

[Jim]

Don't forget this Rikuo Beauty!!

Jim

[Chris Haynes]

Although not a Rikuo here is a Harley-Davidson built for the Japanese Imperial Navy.

[panhead_jim]

Dear Jim, the VL tricar pictured is in the 1934 paint scheme.

Thanks Steve, the VL tricar was one of the few pictures I could find from that era. I knew it was a later model, but was not sure of the exact year. I'll add that to the caption.

[panhead_jim]

Part 3 continues the story of the Rikuo as it becomes the official machine of the Japanese Imperial Army.

Harley Goes to the Far East: Part 3

[panhead_jim]

Here's the final chapter. Rikuo makes it out of WWII and has another 15 years as a viable motorcycle company.

Harley Goes to the Far East: Part 4