The History of the Harley Hearse
In 2002, Wrightsville resident Al Skinner wanted to fill a void in the tristate area. He figured that if firemen had firetrucks as escorts in funeral processions, why not have a motorcycle escort for motorcycle enthusiasts?
Skinner retired in 2009 leaving a void yet again until summer 2017, when Chad Snyder approached him. From there, Skinner reconstructed the old chassis to fit the funeral home’s needs. The search began to find a 100th Anniversary Harley that would adapt to fit the original chassis, since Harley changed frame styles in 2009.
Once the 2003 100th Anniversary Harley Road King was found, Skinner started on modifications. They included reverse gear, modified motor, and extra chrome for the “bling” effect. Lastly, a table was custom made from Birch wood that has a marine varnish, typically used for boats. A gloss coat was added for a finished, elegant look.
In order to make modifications, Skinner made calls to hearse manufacturers for dimensions to ensure the table would fit perfectly to the chassis. The hearse was also modified to not only hold an urn, but rather an urn ark for a ceremonial display. What’s unique about the Harley hearse is that typically motorcycle hearses are on trailers behind the bike. This hearse features an elegant table on a chassis next to the motorcycle, for a modern approach on an old concept. This concept allows open air for their last ride.
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