Why doesn't Harley make?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From:
Why doesn't Harley make?
I ride a 99 fxd and love the bike. It has a big bore kit, pipes, cams, and I have added a set of drag bars and some risers. I made some rear trun signal mounts that look like dice because I had to make something for it. Now to the point of my post. With the popularity of all the "Bike Build" shows I have noticed there are people making good money reproducing old Harley pans and shovels. Why doesn't Harley offer a rigid frame bike with a shovel or pan. With modern air ride systems I.E. Paul ***'s "Rigid air" they could make a sweet throw back bobber or Chopper.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
First time some RUBbie lawyer has that rigid skate out from underneath him on a washboard curve, everyone at HD gets sued, everyone with asphalt connections goes down, and the guy who put up the road sign that sez, "CAUTION: ROUGH ROAD AHEAD" gets run through the grinder 'cause it was 2.7 nano-inches too close to the hazard.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
......or why not make a fat style FL style 'retro' off the '06 dyna frame. They only used that twin shock frame style on the FL and FLH for 30 years. Something a bit different then the hard-tail look.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
In all seriousness, I doubt there is enough market for HD to be interested in a repop of a rigid. Very few new riders would put up with the rough ride; some of 'em still think the rubber mounts shake too much. I'd like to see a repop of the FL type in the Dyna frame. That'd be the only rubber mount I'd consider. I don't care for the looks of the frames on the present day touring bikes. Looks too "metric" to me.
Comes to it, I don't s'pose it'd really be too difficult to make a Dyna look like an older FL. Swap the front end, or maybe start with a WG, stick a fattie on the front, and then change fenders. That'd get you pretty close.
Comes to it, I don't s'pose it'd really be too difficult to make a Dyna look like an older FL. Swap the front end, or maybe start with a WG, stick a fattie on the front, and then change fenders. That'd get you pretty close.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
I loved my '79 FL. That bike was about the same size as my '06 Dyna so proportionally, the look of a FL front end would be really old school. Add the great rubber mounted engine, 6 speed and you have a great middle heavyweight......
I just don't see how HD can ignore so many years of FL and FLH twin shock history. It makes perfect sense to me. This is also why I won't even get into the softtail vs. dyna debate.
I just don't see how HD can ignore so many years of FL and FLH twin shock history. It makes perfect sense to me. This is also why I won't even get into the softtail vs. dyna debate.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
I have ridden rigid bikes and the ride is ok for me. I like the look of the rigid frame. I mentioned in my post some type of air ride suspension. What I am saying is while a bike like this won't be for the masses there would be some who would buy it. I find it strange walking into a Harley dealership and seeing Choppers not made by Harley there. If the dealers see enough need to bring them in the shop why can't Harley?
ORIGINAL: claydbal
if you have ever ridden a rigid very much, you could answer your own question!
if you have ever ridden a rigid very much, you could answer your own question!
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
ORIGINAL: claydbal
if you have ever ridden a rigid very much, you could answer your own question!
if you have ever ridden a rigid very much, you could answer your own question!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,471
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
I'd guess that if you add up all the rigid customs made & sold by custom manufacturers over a year's time or so, it probably wouldn't pay for the tooling of a new assembly line. Would be nice to see a nice tight rigid along the lines of a FlyRite or Sucker Punch Sally chop.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,437
From: SW WA.
RE: Why doesn't Harley make?
ORIGINAL: JimboFXD
I ride a 99 fxd and love the bike. It has a big bore kit, pipes, cams, and I have added a set of drag bars and some risers. I made some rear trun signal mounts that look like dice because I had to make something for it. Now to the point of my post. With the popularity of all the "Bike Build" shows I have noticed there are people making good money reproducing old Harley pans and shovels. Why doesn't Harley offer a rigid frame bike with a shovel or pan. With modern air ride systems I.E. Paul ***'s "Rigid air" they could make a sweet throw back bobber or Chopper.
I ride a 99 fxd and love the bike. It has a big bore kit, pipes, cams, and I have added a set of drag bars and some risers. I made some rear trun signal mounts that look like dice because I had to make something for it. Now to the point of my post. With the popularity of all the "Bike Build" shows I have noticed there are people making good money reproducing old Harley pans and shovels. Why doesn't Harley offer a rigid frame bike with a shovel or pan. With modern air ride systems I.E. Paul ***'s "Rigid air" they could make a sweet throw back bobber or Chopper.
The answer is simple,they already have a nostalgia bike in the Heritage Softail that sells well enough and they sell every bike they make.
Why poke around in a small sector of the marketplace that has already got too many players in it.