I think what I was trying to communicate earlier is that a "dealer allotment" situation hurts all of us - regardless of the cause. I'd guess one could argue that under this condition supply would go down, and if demand stays the same, then our used machines are worth more - right? So what? I first participated in this forum because I needed help with something. I was amazed at the response. I even realized that there were threads where I could make a contribution. Why do I check back every day? Because I love to ride and tinker with my bike and having a forum to share ideas is very important. If my bike is worth more tomorrow because of tighter allotment - that's actually a pretty sad day for me. If my ride is worth more that means that the new H-D machines are selling at a premium. The only way I personally benefit financially is if I sell my H-D with no plans to buy a new/different H-D. This is not going to happen - why? - because I love to ride and this is my bike of choice. My H-D might get a radically different brother someday - but the air cooled big twin will always be in my garage in some shape or form.
My favorite threads in this forum are the ones where someone takes a $15000 bike and starts molding it into the exact machine that they want, or when someone tears down a perfectly capable power plant because the perfomance gain is worth the risk to them. I'm sure that these guys don't give a crap if their bike is worth more tomorrow - they love to ride and are willing to modify to get exactly what they want. I can't contribute to these threads - but I do enjoy reading them. I've learned quite a bit since I've owned my dyna. The one thing I know for sure is that if you gave 1000 people the exact same dyna, and then gave them a box full of cash to spend on the bike any way they wanted, you would have no 2 that were the same in the end. That's what this forum is all about - everyone has a different opinion, but still willing to see the value of others ideas.

Sorry to get off topic a bit - just wanted to clarify my opinion, and it certainly is just my opinion.

 

Why, you interested in attempting to reinstate the union?

 

No big deal, I was just wondering if that was a real story.

 

It's exactly what transpired when I acquired the corporation.

What I never understood, and maybe someone can answer this for me is this:

You've got a company that was founded in 1891. In '97 to '98 when I was doing my due dilligence, the company had been losing money for the previous six years. Not a lot, but $40k to $50k a year adds up quickly when your annual revenues are only $2,000,000.

At that time there were 4th genreation craftsmen working there. It came down to either turning the company around or liqudate. My advantage was that the breakup value was $1.8 million more than what I paid for it, but I didn't want to do that.

So... Faced with turning the company around, why did the union take that position of palying hard ball when the contract came up for renew four months into the deal? What good is a contract if the company goes under or is liquidated?

I never understood that line of thinking. I had no choice, but to break the union and it wasn't difficult to do. The fact that they didn't see that they had no leverage also puzzled me.

 

The question is still the same.

Is this a real story??

 

I thought I made that clear. Yes.

It appears you just want to agitate Vs communicate.

 

bump~~ LOL.

 

it is so cold ~~ here i mean, dang, snow and zero. so,who going to sturgis this year ?

 

The dealers don't have any better idea how long this strike will last than we do. I guess it will be up to HD and the Union votes to settle it.

Didn't HD build a new motor plant recently? Has this helped production?

 

I am, I am!!!! Had to cancel Daytona thanks to a thoughtless deer and torn rotator cuff...

Staying in Piedmont at a buddy's cabin - cheap and easy - can't wait!