Over the years it's been said A.M.F.was not good for Harley Davidson. Older riders some do some don't say they saved Harley.Also when the shovel an ironheads stopped being made in 86 an the EVO came about the motor was designed outside Harley Davidson this making them the first engine to be designed outside of shop.thoughts an opinions.I own a 1978 anaversiary sporty been a good bike over the years.

 

Read the Book Well Made In America
AMF spent millions keeping Harley open
Now when AMF sold it back that also was the best thing to ever happen to harley

 

Quantity, not quality was the reason why the AMF years are considered bad.

I'm sure by now something from that era has been disassembled and all the issues have been addressed.

 

AMF gets a bad rap but all in all they saved Harley Davidson from going under.

Project Nova (4 cylinder) along with the development of the Evolution engine were both created under AMF. AMF decided project Nova would cost too much and committed to the development of the Evolution engine.

Now AMF did oversee a period of questionable quality so both sides are correct in a way.

I agree with the above poster. Well made in America is a great read.

 

I have an AMF Shovel, and love it.

Everything is top shelf aftermarket sans the '79 cases, so if there are any problems the aftermarket has a cure for everything.

Before I gutted the mill, it was running great with all stock parts except for an Andrews cam.

The younger set of chopper guys proudly sport the AMF logo. That reminds me, maybe I should rock an AMF patch on my jacket.

Times have changed.

 

The Shovel Era was no better ( sometimes worse ) before AMF and depending on who's accounting ( generally, today bad opinions are based on rumor ) was actually a bit better. AMF wasn't a lot more than a holding company during their tenure.

 

I wasn't going to chime in on this thread but...
AMF bought HD out, they didn't do squat, why HD bought it back. With that said, I prefer S&S build your own. HD took it back from AMF, doubled the stock in early 90's. Reason it was back ordered and unavailable...insta bikers.
I like HD but my druthers would be build my own, inexpensive way would be EVO but for a few dollars more S&S.
What do you wanna do? I'd rather have something I built rather than rely on someone else,
Yes, I got old, I can't see to build anymore. I have to pay someone else to do what I want. LOL...damn it, man.

 

I am not sure I got the point?
Could you explain?

 

I had a '75 shovelhead and loved it...I didn't care for the AMF on the tank but the bike was my first NEW bike and it never gave me one bit of trouble in the 6 years I had it.

 

I didn't get the point either, only that I got old and can't see...lmfao