What's wrong with Harleys?

[omegajim]

I had a 85 K100RT beemer and actually traded it in on my first Harley, an 87 Super Glide.

50 lashings with a wet noodle!

Let's not even start on Ural. Other than it's a good bike with the best of technoloy - from the 40's!

Urals aren't even built for modern roads; they have a top speed of 65, and that's all folks.

I still think they may have a future. Any bike that has an option of a sidecar with a 2nd driven wheel can't be all bad.

I won't say that BMW is "all that and a bag of chips" it's just that some of the highest mileage bikes tended to be BMW. Think 800 cc and 65 k. Heck I saw one a few years back that was around 800 cc with 55 k on it and the guy still wanted something like $3500 for it, and it was 20 some years old to boot.

and in closing, bailing wire, duct tape before duct tape was available.

[tallannie]

just heard this...which must be an oldie...but I liked it..


A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley, when he spotted a world-famous heart surgeon in his shop. The heart surgeon was waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike.

The mechanic shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc can I ask you a question?" The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to the mechanic working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag and asked, "So Doc, look at this engine. I also can open it up, take valves out, fix'em, put in new parts and when I finish this will work just like a new one. So how come I get a pittance and you get the really big money, when you and I are doing basically the same work?"

The surgeon paused, smiled and leaned over, and whispered to the mechanic, "Try doing it while it's running."

[omegajim]

isn't there a joke thread around here?

Oh well, however, it's still a good joke.

[Rickster]

Your right Annie, it's an oldie, but I like it too.

[4dtvman]

Moon Runner Gold bless you and your hard work. I was only funny. I've worked hard all my life too. I'm putting two kids threw college now. And what I have is what I can afford to pay cash for. Will never get a loan for toys.

I just bought a 4 wheel motorcycle for my wife (Mazda MX-5) used and paying cash. Picking it up this weekend. And I don't want you to share anything with me.

My other hobbie is Camera's and I make some money with them. I buy a new one each year but I been shooting wedding part time for 27 years.

I like the classic and the Gold wing I just don't have the money. But I also like what I have and try to make them look as good as possible. Just did a 1300 mile trip with my wife and had a good time.

Gee if you have a moped and have a good time that's all that counts. I just can't stand people that say that HD is the best because it's made in the US and they drive a Jap car or they think it's all in the name.

Most of the times this time of the year I'm out there with my bike from moring until late night and all the posers with there poser HD's are home before the cars turn on there lights. This weekend me and the wife went to greek feast and coming home at 10 oclock I was the only guy out there no posers. And hell never mind if it's raining.

[MoonRunner]

I don't think much of anything is made in the U.S. now days. Lot's of things like some of the Kawasakis, Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, Isuzus and Harleys (to mention a few) are ASSEMBLED in the U.S. but consisting of numerous imported parts and materials. When I really want to see something made in the U.S. I'll go for a drive around the local farms and ranches. I grew up on a farm and those products we produced were without doubt Made in the U.S. But you do have to admit that Harley does have it's roots deep into the vehicular history of the U.S. (as does Ford, Chrysler and Chevy) as opposed to the metrics. Not that it makes them any better machine but perhaps a consideration of the American Heritage argument for some.

[Mydlyfkryzis]

Strangely enough, MOST of a Honda Cars, Toyota's are manufactured here. For instance, Toyota has a large engine factory in Buffalo, West Virginia. It is difficult to get a fully Japanese vehicle. My 1992 Honda Civic was 95% American made content. My 1995 Dodge Stratus was 75% American made content. which one is the most "American"?

I guess you can consider heritage, but Chrysler, until just recently, was Daimler Chrysler, owned by a German company. Was Daimler Chrysler American anymore?

If Honda makes a car with 100% American made parts, and Chevy makes a car with 100% Foreign content, which is the American made vehicle and which is foreign? If I buy a Chevy Aveo, versus a Toyota Camry, which one is American? I don't know anymore.

I presently own a Mazda B3000 Pickup (2002). It was made in Edison NJ by Ford. A Ford Ranger clone. The only Japanese part is the transmission, which is a Mazda Part, made in Japan. A Ford ranger with Mannual Transmission has the same Japanese part. So is my Mazda, made with the same parts as the Ranger, in the same factory, in NJ, Foreign? It was made by US workers in US unions.

Motorcycles fall into the same dilemma. Is the origin of the company name the determining factor of the nationality of the vehicle? Is it where most of the parts were made? Is it where it was assembled?

Many foreign manufacturers are building plants here and making the parts here (except, at this time, China). Japan's labor is as expensive as ours today, so it is more economical to build the parts here and avoid the cost of importing (shipping and tariffs).

Origin arguments are difficult today. Even companies that seem american may have stock owned in a large part by foreign investers. Do we really know who owns Harley? or GM, or Ford? I bet China may own them all someday soon...

[MoonRunner]

Mydlyfkryzis
Dude you missed the whole point of what I just said. I said, "But you do have to admit that Harley does have it's roots deep into the vehicular history of the U.S. (as does Ford, Chrysler and Chevy) as opposed to the metrics." I don't think there is any question in anyones mind that these companies started in the U.S. and were U.S. owned and certainly U.S. manufactured as early as 1903. Now what year were the first metrics sold at large in the U.S. and when was it that they started being produced here?
So many of you guys get so twisted around the pole in arguing that Harleys aren't American and Hondas are and who owns what dominant interest or where the money goes. I never argue that point. I could care less where it was built and who made a profit off my Harleys or my Gold Wing: they are the bikes I choose to own and ride. If I could afford more I would also have a BMW in the garage. But I have a friend who would not take a german built bike or car if you gave it to her because she was in London during the bombings of WWII. Everyone has their own reasons for what they do. As long as they don't force their issues on me or constantly gripe about my choices as a lot of folks on metric bike forums seem to do then I don't see the problem. I've owned several metric bikes and never had to justify them over a Harley and certainly do not now have to justify the Harley over any other. Oh by the way, your Mazda "The only Japanese part is the transmission". BS, I would guess most of the electronics were made in Japan or Mexico. We have no idea how many of the trans and engine parts were imported or from where prior to assembly. I doubt even the materials in the upholstery are American made. And I owned a Mazda B2000, I forget what year but I believe noting that the motor was assembled in Mexico. And finally do we care as long as the price was acceptable and it performs to our expectations? Most don't but some do, which returns to my original statement that heritage or roots MAY be a factor for SOME.

[ltdave]

My 1992 Honda Civic was 95% American made content. My 1995 Dodge Stratus was 75% American made content. which one is the most "American"?

lets not start THIS again...

I guess you can consider heritage, but Chrysler, until just recently, was Daimler Chrysler, owned by a German company. Was Daimler Chrysler American anymore?

NO. i work for them and i told everyone who would listen to buy AMERICAN and if that meant NOT buying a DCX product so be it. when people said "you can buy a dodge stratus because its built i sterling heights michigan, i said "fine. anyone can buy a honda built in marysville ohio...

they didnt agree with that but their logic was flawed. one foreign company building in the us is okay but a different foreign company building in the us was wrong...

i didnt buy any DCX products. it meant paying regular price (ford/gm) vs employee discounted price (dcx) but i wasnt sending my money to germany. or japan or korea or sweden (saab back to gm) or england and back (land rover, jaquar back to ford)...

i ride a jap bike because thats all i could afford when i was in the Air Force...

d

[DeRiggi]

Originally Posted by Mydlyfkryzis

I presently own a Mazda B3000 Pickup (2002). It was made in Edison NJ by Ford. A Ford Ranger clone. The only Japanese part is the transmission, which is a Mazda Part, made in Japan. A Ford ranger with Mannual Transmission has the same Japanese part. So is my Mazda, made with the same parts as the Ranger, in the same factory, in NJ, Foreign? It was made by US workers in US unions.

For the record, that plant is now closed, along with with the majority of the plants in NJ (and we had quite a few)

The reason these companies are outsourcing their production lines is because the states and local governments make it so expensive for them to operate business they have no other choice to stay in the black....and very few domestics ARE in the black.

I grew up 2 minutes away from that plant, and watched them implode it. It's sad....a lot of friends and friends fathers jobs were lost because NJ is not the easiest place to do business in.

Maybe we should start looking at the internal problems before we start saying domestic only......

[omegajim]

This is wonderful, but does ANYBODY know where half the bikes that Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are made?

I'm guessing somewhere in Malayasia, but have never been able to determine one way or 'nother. Not like there are many sources of info for such things.

[geoffsimpson]

Originally Posted by MoonRunner

I don't think much of anything is made in the U.S. now days. Lot's of things like some of the Kawasakis, Hondas, Toyotas, Hyundais, Isuzus and Harleys (to mention a few) are ASSEMBLED in the U.S. but consisting of numerous imported parts and materials. When I really want to see something made in the U.S. I'll go for a drive around the local farms and ranches. I grew up on a farm and those products we produced were without doubt Made in the U.S. But you do have to admit that Harley does have it's roots deep into the vehicular history of the U.S. (as does Ford, Chrysler and Chevy) as opposed to the metrics. Not that it makes them any better machine but perhaps a consideration of the American Heritage argument for some.

Dude, that's a real good point.

[Problemwithauthority]

WOW! a lot of posts on this, still trying to come up with something "civil" and "work safe".

[Problemwithauthority]

Originally Posted by Shea

Also correct. I left that part out unintentionally. It is my understanding that Harley also gets alot of electrical parts from out of country. But, I know for a fact that quite a bit of the parts themselves are still made in the US. In fact, Harley has many small, local machine shops making some of their parts too. For instance, a friend of mine worked at a machine shop that made the exhaust pipes for Harley in York. Well, that was before the shop blew up because of dust and bad ventilation. Not sure if they are up and running again.

So does Toyota, and hey... that sounds like their bikes not just the place they make the pipes. Who owns the factories where these parts are made? There is basically no difference between the major motorcycle manufacturers when you are looking at the good old American made aspect. The bikes that have their parts made in Japan will be better than the same part if it were made in the U.S. (Mad yet?) And it pains me greatly to say this but the truth is the truth. With some exceptions- people here don't take the same pride in the product that they produce, they don't see what they do the same way and they just lack the lust for quality that you see in Japan. Here "Quality" is a dumbass slogan on a poster on the wall. You know.. right next to that "Safety" poster that "prevents" accidents. I don't know, I guess I just miss that good ol' American workplace where your boss came in and yelled "git this place cleaned up!!" instead of following some 5 S crap that takes a whole afternoon to learn process by process. It seems to me that this is where we are going wrong, we're letting them establish the protocol that replaces common sense and following them instead of leading. Anyway, it seems to me that the whole Harley thing is symbolic of what is wrong here. Stuck in the past, Death of a Salesman, what used to be.....................
P.S. I like Buells.

[Problemwithauthority]

[QUOTE
the japs must be doing something right because toyota the jap car that made in the US is out selling ford that alot of there parts are made by MAZDA. Welcome to the new world order.[/quote]

I ain't through the door yet, maybe I'll be one of the lucky one's and die first! And I drive a Ford. A truly perverted "brand allegiance" because Ford is really screwed up. Giving away money like J.P. friggin’ Morgan while hemorrhaging it everywhere but corporate headquarters! Toyota is a better vehicle but they REALLY made me angry once so I will never even consider them again.

[Problemwithauthority]

[QUOTE
HD reminds me too much of JD...Both have whored their logos out to EVERYBODY, and expect to use that to sell a few tractors and motorcycles along the way.
[/quote]

This occurred to me last time I was in a H.D. dealership looking at a Buell, they surely must make more on the gear and hats and gloves and clothes and boots and everything else with their logo on it than on the bikes, not to mention the stuff with their name on it in other stores like Wal Mart. Pretty much just like John Deer. Nothing wrong with it but BAAAAHHHH, excuse me, ahem, as I was saying, nothing wrong with it but BAAAAHH, BAAAAHHH! What was I saying? Oh well I’ve got to go now, I see people going that way and feel the need to follow. See ya’ll later.

BTW some really good posts on this forum.

[TechJD]

Well I cant presently afford a Harley but I will say something positive about them
You can still get part for the older ones, and get people to work on them

you cant hardly old metric bikes, and if you do find part for them they also cost you an arm and a leg

[frostbitevinnie]

Lets face it, we all like to ride. Also, in my opinion HD is overpriced and so are all bikes. Look at the technology and material that goes into a car vs a bike. My Hundai retails for under $13K with a lot of technology and high tech materials. My C90T retails for $11.5K. Still a lot of technology but not even close to what goes into my car. I mean consider all the stuff that goes into making an auto vs a bike. Steel, carpet, air, heat, radio, seats, motor, tranny, etc. I would imagine, maybe I am wrong, that HD and all the other bike manufacturers are really making a killing. I know the profit margins for autos is not that great. I really wonder what the profit margins for a bike would be. Maybe I am wrong but to me it seems that in reality my bike should retail for half of what it does but I still bought it and love it.

[inline4]

I did not read all 16 pages of this thread, and I probably should make my first post here on another subject.
Having said that, I just have to share a signature line a friend of mine has on another forum.

Harley-Davidson:
Turning gasoline into obnoxious noise without the harmful effects of horsepower since 1903.

[MoonRunner]

inline4
Hey I see you have a 74 Kawasaki Z1A. I had a 75 Kawaski Z1B with mikuni smoothbore carbs, a set of kerker headers and some unrelased as yet Yoshimura cams. It ran very well indeed. I was doing better than 145 mph in 1975, before it was fashionable for everyone. I think my Kerker 4-1 was pretty loud too, but it wasn't a Harley so it didn't count as a problem right? Or was it OK before everyone picked a subject to be a prude about? Let's review: I shouldn't own handguns, I shouldn't hunt, My Harley is too loud, My diesel pickup pollutes the air, my language is too vulgar (unless I'm on TV), My two-stroke ATV stirs up too much dust, pollutes and is too loud. Send me a list of whatever else you don't like and I'll.....Never mind, you can put it there yourself.