That^^^^^
No problem in the 70's or 80's.

 

We used the service entrance to the shop when we went in for oil and parts, always had to check in with the guys before heading to the counter.

 

My Uncle had to wait a little over a year to get the 96 Fatboy I currently own. As a kid I lived right around the corner from the Harley dealer at one point. It was probably a 30x30 building. Some times they would let me look around and sometimes they told me to get lost.

 

Never had to get on a list for one till the late 80s as best I remember. The dealer here started out in a place about the size of a one bay gas station of the era. Loved it, never more than 4 or five bikes in stock, back then I was lusting for a 250 Sprint. The owner, his wife, one full time mechanic, and a part time flunky was it. You dealt directly with the owner, no service writer or blocked off service department. The smell of "Gunk" was overwhelming but was wonderful. He eventually built a nice shop and showroom but still ran the show, he did the sales and ran the shop but did have a parts guy and mechanics by then. He would have cookouts and shows from time to time that were great fun. He talked me into riding in the sidecar of his FLH and immediately put my fat **** up in the air. I had never seen anybody put a sidecar in the air with a passenger before that. Fun times.

 

In 1987 I bought a new Sportster. This was in late fall and they didn't have one in stock, in any color. I had to order it, paid full boat and took delivery in February.

 

Bought my first Sporty through the Marine Corps deal in 84, was stationed on Oki, signed up, and it was waiting for me when I got home. Just like others have said the dealership was so small they could only fit about 5-10 motorcycles inside. Used bikes were put on the front porch.

Anyone familiar with #1 Cycle Center in the State College, PA are will know what I am talking about. Now #1 Cycle Center is huge, they even have a resort near the dealership. I put the phone system in the first new dealership Guv built in exchange for a top end on my 76 FLH. That delaership is a Polaris/Indian shop now, so the new joint is the second upgrade from the hole in the wall in Pleasant Gap. PA.

 

Availability was bad from early 90s up until 2003 when Harley upped production to over 400,000 units, it was a 14-16 month production year. Same reason there is a glut of 2003-2007 used bikes. 90s prices were ridiculous, buddy bought a new 1994 FXSTC for $18500 (MSRP was around $12,500). I was lucky and found a used 1993 FXSTC in 1996 with 11k miles for $11,000. Guy I bought it from had offers after I said I would take it for $15,000. I only got it because some guy who said he wanted it called back and said his wife said no. I was the next guy to call.

 

Another probably unknown fact is and maybe some still do but many dealers back in the day would also sell other brands of bikes, such as Kawasaki & Yamaha as well as Honda.

 

1990 went to NYC HD to buy a 1200 Sportster, first year 5 speed, belt drive. Walked in and tell the salesman what I wanted (it is September for reference and I was a regular at the dealership for parts). He immediately brings me into his office and opens a book and without even looking up at me he tells me he needs an immediate $500 deposit and the bike is scheduled to be in May, no promises on actual delivery date. I walked away and found the bike somewhere else, which is another story.

1996 went to Suffolk HD to buy a new Wide Glide, after going thru everything with the late Gene Baron I leave a $500 deposit (October), bike is supposed to be in March. OK not so bad, winter and all of that. (By the way I was waiting for Black bike, red and two tone on the floor). Bike didn't show till May but it was well worth the wait.

I still own both of these bikes.

 

I was scared to go into a Harley dealership until about 2012.