About Last Ryde Hearse Company

Welcome to Basic to Bitchin, my name is Ken Norbraten, I created Last Ryde Hearse Co. in April 2005 after we lost a friend in an auto accident. (Read Princess’s story below). Our company goal is to provide a service that is unique to the funeral industry. This is another option for bike enthusiasts rather than the traditional hearse. It fulfills the need of the deceased having his/her “Last Ryde” to celebrate what they loved about life, RIDING!

When we as riders lose a member of our riding family, we can now be sure that what happened with Princess won’t happen again. We can make that “Last Ryde” more personal with buddy leading the pack one last time.

The day we found out the Patent was pending, we packed up and headed for the Abbotsford Motorcycle Trade Show. The motorcycle and hearse display took first place in the American Touring Division. Later in the year, we had the same display at Slack Alice's Show and Shine in Penticton, B.C. We received a first place in the Special Interest Division. In September of 2007 we received our official United States Design Patent No. D547,924.

The trailer and casket shown here is the first built, dedicated to Princess and my personal last ryde. There are options available to personalize your last ryde. The trailer comes with a V.I.N. number and the registration reads “Last Ryde”. This unit is protected with a United States Design Patent No. D547,924. For more information contact me Ken Norbraten at info@lastrydehearseco.com.

View the detailed description and photos on the Funeral Trailer page.

About Ken Norbraten

I’ve been around bikes about twenty years.  Last ten years on a Harley.  I bought my first Harley from Smither’s Harley Davidson - a 1996 1200 XL Sporty.  I went through a few changes over the next four years and then traded up to a new 2002 Dyna Super Glide from Prince George Harley Davidson.  After building two sets of body work,.  I rode the Dyna for three years.  Now I feel I have the ultimate ride.  A 2006 Street Glide Bagger with mild customization so far. ( Winters are long in Prince George.)

The Story of Princess's Last Ryde

A close friend was killed in an auto accident, she was a rider. Her husband was working on her Harley over the winter, she had let him know he had a week to finish it or “else”. The day after Princess died a bunch of us buddies got together to finish Princess’ Harley so her husband could lead the funeral procession. We got the bike done the day before the service so we could roll it into the funeral home to be united with Princess.

After the service the bike’s rolled out and the hearse followed. We didn’t find out until after the ride, that the hearse got slowed up, missed a few lights, and went straight to the cemetery. Princess missed her “Last Ryde” with her boyz! That got me to thinking, “why not” build a casket hauling trailer to be towed behind a touring motorcycle. After lots of research and development the "Last Ryde Hearse Co." was born.