HD parts “Made in WHERE?”
Club Member
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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From: Canada
Up until they started using Showa front forks would be my guess.
Well, I had the pleasure of visiting the assembly line in Manaus in 2019 and let me tell you all what I've seen (and I've known since the assembly line was opened in late 1998).
1. The motorcycles that are assembled in Brazil are destined for local consumption only, they are not exported.
2. Their VIN begin with 932 (as opposed to 1HD or 5HD) to comply with Brazilian laws, meaning 9 = Made in Brazil 32= brand H-D
3. The motorcycles are shipped in CKD format, with all parts separated and everything (meaning everything, including the engine) are put together here.
4. ALL parts are shipped from US (Pennsylvania).
5. To comply with Brazilian laws, some components must be made locally and that are the Battery (brand Moura), the bolts that secure the license plate assembly and some stickers like the jap bikes have (that's about it).
1. The motorcycles that are assembled in Brazil are destined for local consumption only, they are not exported.
2. Their VIN begin with 932 (as opposed to 1HD or 5HD) to comply with Brazilian laws, meaning 9 = Made in Brazil 32= brand H-D
3. The motorcycles are shipped in CKD format, with all parts separated and everything (meaning everything, including the engine) are put together here.
4. ALL parts are shipped from US (Pennsylvania).
5. To comply with Brazilian laws, some components must be made locally and that are the Battery (brand Moura), the bolts that secure the license plate assembly and some stickers like the jap bikes have (that's about it).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
:I doubt any Harley was ever 100% raw materials or even US manufactured. If I recall in the early 1900's no one was making spark plugs in the US. Most (maybe all) were made in Europe.
As far as the original post:
As far as the original post:
Last edited by piasspj; Nov 12, 2022 at 04:51 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2022
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From: South of Boston, MA
Sooooo.....NEVER !!!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: South Texas
Hi All
I am seriously researching country of origin for Harley parts. Many people say a lot parts are manufactured in China with which I disagree and get a lot of grief about my statement but when I ask to list 3 parts made in china suddenly silence.
We all know yes there are some accessories made in china (garment) and taiwan (mainly accessories) there is big share of US and Japaneese parts I am aware of.
I try to compile list of main HD components with their Country of Origin. Let me share what I know:
- wheels mainly made in Japan
- suspension Japan
- brakes - Brembo - not sure where but not in US for sure
- cases, flywheels, cylinders and heads not sure but most likely US
- sheet metal - guessing USA
electronics - delphi not sure country of origin
- cams - Andrews USA
- trans - not sure assume USA
- clutch - no idea
- seat - this will probably vary widely
- lights - I think I have seen USA on front light
- frame - pretty sure USA
- carburetors were Japan
Do you know more? What did I miss? Please share if you would have picture of part with made in on it would be tremendous help for proper documentation of this.
Thanks in advance.
I am seriously researching country of origin for Harley parts. Many people say a lot parts are manufactured in China with which I disagree and get a lot of grief about my statement but when I ask to list 3 parts made in china suddenly silence.
We all know yes there are some accessories made in china (garment) and taiwan (mainly accessories) there is big share of US and Japaneese parts I am aware of.
I try to compile list of main HD components with their Country of Origin. Let me share what I know:
- wheels mainly made in Japan
- suspension Japan
- brakes - Brembo - not sure where but not in US for sure
- cases, flywheels, cylinders and heads not sure but most likely US
- sheet metal - guessing USA
electronics - delphi not sure country of origin
- cams - Andrews USA
- trans - not sure assume USA
- clutch - no idea
- seat - this will probably vary widely
- lights - I think I have seen USA on front light
- frame - pretty sure USA
- carburetors were Japan
Do you know more? What did I miss? Please share if you would have picture of part with made in on it would be tremendous help for proper documentation of this.
Thanks in advance.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 759
Likes: 936
From: Under the affluence of incahol.
Take a look around your local Harely dealership's showroom display of all those chrome accessories, replacement grips, seats, etc etc etc. Pretty much every one of them says "Made in China" on the packaging.
And then check out any parts you buy. These days they mostly say Made in China on them. I just paid the extra money and waited weeks to get genuine Harley Davidson rear engine mount rubbers for my Evo Road King. Sure 'nuff they arrived proudly stamped Made in China. I might has well have bought the Drag Specialties parts at half the price.
My guess is that anything chrome plated is made in China, due to lax environmental laws and lower labor costs relating to that process. And pretty much anything plastic or rubber is likely to come from there too.
And those wheel bearings everyone keeps having trouble with? You can bet your *** they come from China too.
Last year of fully US made Harley? Probably about 1972 before the first disc braked Kayaba forks and the Keihin carb appeared from Japan. They were at least better products than the previous "Flexi-Flyer" skinny drum-brake Sportster/FX front ends and Bendix carbs complete with leather accelerator pump buckets, just like 1950. Although, some of the 60s Sportsters had Smiths speedo and tacho, which were an English company, so maybe earlier.
And then check out any parts you buy. These days they mostly say Made in China on them. I just paid the extra money and waited weeks to get genuine Harley Davidson rear engine mount rubbers for my Evo Road King. Sure 'nuff they arrived proudly stamped Made in China. I might has well have bought the Drag Specialties parts at half the price.
My guess is that anything chrome plated is made in China, due to lax environmental laws and lower labor costs relating to that process. And pretty much anything plastic or rubber is likely to come from there too.
And those wheel bearings everyone keeps having trouble with? You can bet your *** they come from China too.
Last year of fully US made Harley? Probably about 1972 before the first disc braked Kayaba forks and the Keihin carb appeared from Japan. They were at least better products than the previous "Flexi-Flyer" skinny drum-brake Sportster/FX front ends and Bendix carbs complete with leather accelerator pump buckets, just like 1950. Although, some of the 60s Sportsters had Smiths speedo and tacho, which were an English company, so maybe earlier.
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From: Gettysburg, PA (For Now)
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From: PNW
There's a bunch of parts made outside the US. Most of the electronics and a lot of the peripheral things like shift linkages, levers, starter covers, handlebars, grips, gauges, etc are imported. Wheels imported. The frames, tanks, fenders, tires, and a few other things are made in the US. The motors are mostly US parts, and certainly assembled here, only 10 miles from where I used to live. As has been mentioned - the majority of the parts are US made. What percentage, I don't know for certain.
What I do know is the bikes are designed and manufactured in the US from mostly US made parts. Harley Davidson employs a lot of people. Some of them are friends, (former - I moved) neighbors, and family. Make no mistake - Harley Davidson is an American bike. That means something. And some of the dealer upgrade parts are made in the US. I had a guy thank me for my business at a bar one day. He was referring to the "Burst" collection I had on my bike. Manufactured in Wisconsin. I also know people who design the seats for HD. They have a full production facility in Milwaukee and it puts a lot of people to work. I don't think they mass produce the seats, but they have a thriving business involved in the process.
S&S is another American (Wisconsin) company.
What I do know is the bikes are designed and manufactured in the US from mostly US made parts. Harley Davidson employs a lot of people. Some of them are friends, (former - I moved) neighbors, and family. Make no mistake - Harley Davidson is an American bike. That means something. And some of the dealer upgrade parts are made in the US. I had a guy thank me for my business at a bar one day. He was referring to the "Burst" collection I had on my bike. Manufactured in Wisconsin. I also know people who design the seats for HD. They have a full production facility in Milwaukee and it puts a lot of people to work. I don't think they mass produce the seats, but they have a thriving business involved in the process.
S&S is another American (Wisconsin) company.
