NEW YORK: Etched into the back of the chrome side mirror of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle are the words "Live to Ride, Ride to Live." For this particular Harley, a more accurate etching might read: "Must be dead to ride." The three-wheeled motorcycle pulls a custom-built carriage-style hearse.

The owners of a chain of Long Island funeral homes invested $100,000 (€74,360) in the hearse and bike in hopes of appealing to motorcycle enthusiasts and others who want to take their last ride biker-style. They hope to transform a symbol of mortality into one celebrating the deceased person's life.

So far reaction has been "favorable and positive," said Michael Moloney, of the five Moloney Family Funeral Homes, during a public relations ride Thursday in Manhattan.

"People see it and go, 'Wow, this can be really cool and different for my dad, for my uncle,'" Moloney said.

The black hearse is a replica of a 19th-century horse-drawn carriage and features sconces in each corner, a large window on either side and burgundy and gold curtains. It can fit caskets up to 39 inches (99 centimeters) wide and carry more than 900 pounds (408 kilograms) of coffin and dead weight.

It is manufactured by Tombstone Hearse Co., in Alum Bank, Pennsylvania. The company makes the hearses for funeral homes in other parts of the country.

The black and chrome motorcycle is a 2006 Road King Classic, the Moloneys said.

"It's not morbid, it's cool," Moloney said. "It's a way for people to always remember your funeral."

The funeral home chain, which has been using the motorcycle and hearse for about 18 months, said inquiries have come from a range of enthusiasts, including military veterans who have used it for memorial runs and charity events, as well as other funeral homes, which borrow it for their own customers.

"I've seen this motorcycle put smiles on the faces of grieving families," said Peter Moloney, Michael's 42-year-old brother.

Eamon Connors, 38, who rides with a Brooklyn biker club called 0 to 60 when he's not driving a bus, said he loves it.

"It's unique, something different," said Connors, who, like other passers-by, snapped a picture with his cell phone and took a brochure. "If you're going to go out, you gotta go out in style, right?"

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/05/25/america/NA-GEN-US-Harley-Hearses.php