AMF Harley Davidson

[sundy]

I have a chance to buy an AMF HD golf cart. The pictures I attached are all I know about it. It looks complete and might just need batteries.

Is it a valuable cart in a historic sense? Should it be preserved or should I rip out the old stuff and put in an AC controller motor system?

I think it's a steal right now so I'm just looking for some opinions.

[nickdalzell1]

The AMF/Harley Merger was not a popular time for them. There were also motorcycles made during that era and their resale value is pretty pathetic. Harley enthusiasts don't like the AMF-era one bit.

The golf cars were reliable, but slow. the rear ends were like the granny lows on a semi truck, so even with an upgrade to AC you won't get much speed for the RPM and might even destroy the rear end trying. These were meant to be 8-12MPH golf cars.

Many people find them ugly, especially the first-gen with the 'tiller bar steering' and three wheels. Right now, your electric will be a very inefficient system consisting one a large resistor, a system where two of the four speeds is only using 3 out of the 6 batteries which can result in an imbalance, with the fourth and final being drawn through a literal vacuum tube that acts as a timer, waiting for the car to get to full enough speed on the third speed before closing and allowing a smooth transition to full power.

Parts for this system are hard to find, but often cheap. I think the vacuum tube is unobtainable though. The diagnosis and repair is quite complicated however. There's like six solenoids. one to do forward, one to do reverse, and four more to do the speeds. Some are a combo of 6v and 12v solenoids. When any part of the system fails, the car just doesn't run. There are also two diodes. It can be like chasing a dead set of christmas lights. These will hardly ever be 'just batteries'. People get rid of them because they likely gave up and are selling their project to another. I live by the adage 'if the price is too good to be true, it likely is'

By the photos the one you're looking at is a second-generation with four wheels and later body revision, and a normal steering wheel. The third generation was after the name 'Columbia Par-Car' took over sometime in the early '80s

https://www.golfcartgarage.com/blog/...quick-history/

[sundy]

Cool. Thanks for the education. I suppose I could install a DC controller motor system to go with the low-speed rear end. My wife thinks it's 'cute' and I am looking for something different. I may have found it.

[nickdalzell1]

We once had a field full of various-states-of-disrepair AMF/Harley cars, and one day someone visited and bought them all up. He was the rare type who's obsessed with the era. Whatever floats their boats! I have only seen two electric models in my lifetime. Most are the two-stroke gas models.

[Anthony57]

hey I dont know if you are still active on this thread but if you are.....Ive got a 74 im rebuilding for a raffle fundraiser for our local arts festival- hoping for some advice on upgrading!!?? its 36v, I need to find new solenoids and replace the vac tube - solid state??? I hope you are still on here and can advise?? Best,Anthony

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Anthony57

hey I dont know if you are still active on this thread but if you are.....Ive got a 74 im rebuilding for a raffle fundraiser for our local arts festival- hoping for some advice on upgrading!!?? its 36v, I need to find new solenoids and replace the vac tube - solid state??? I hope you are still on here and can advise?? Best,Anthony

Check out Carts Unlimited Universal solid state conversion kits here > https://www.cartsunlimited.net/unive...rsion-kit.html
These kits can work with 36 or 48 volts. Most older 36v electric motors produce 30% more speed and torque on 48v.
Do the cart and yourself a favor by repowering with a large single lithium battery. The reduced weight and higher voltage will improve overall performance while freeing the owner up from routine watering and cleaning duties.

[Anthony57]

thanks! went 48v w alltrax its cruising!