Rewaco remains a leading provider of Harley-Davidson to Volkswagen engine swap kits. Previous suppliers discontinued similar kits due to rear bearing failures caused by excessive VW flywheel weight on the Harley crank. Rewaco addressed this issue by incorporating rear bearing supports in their design. Successful examples include two custom Nova Trikes featuring Twin Cam 88 engines paired with VW transmissions—one with a 4-speed and reverse, the other with a Type 3 automatic.
Adapting a panhead engine to a VW transmission poses a greater challenge. A custom adapter was fabricated for a project in 1967, but its functionality remains unverified due to project abandonment. Developing a commercially viable panhead adapter kit presents a significant opportunity. Collaboration with experienced fabricators and machinists like those found on forums such as ChopperWeb could prove invaluable in this endeavor.
Documenting the entire build process with detailed photographs and progress updates would provide a valuable resource for others interested in undertaking similar projects. Furthermore, the availability of frame kits, fairings, and suspension components specifically designed for this type of conversion would significantly simplify the process for future builders.
