I read about this on a motorcycle magazine, and didn't even imagine such a thing could exist.
Yep. Even in the hearth of "western communism" they have H-D (and a motorcycle club!).
There are some dozens HD enthusiasts, with a very peculiar story, and very peculiar bikes. H-D imports ceased with the revolution. The last spare part was imported in 1961. For various reasons, H-D became a symbol of "capitalistic oppression", and since then, these enthusiasts have undergone a real ordeal to keep their passion, and their bikes, alive. For many of them their bike is their only means of transportation.
Their passion is accompanied by a real need for the bike, and by very down-to-earth daily necessities.
They have learned to build spares, cannibalize them where they could, adapt other vehicle parts, build tires, rims, every conceivable part.
The government has always frowned on their passion, until lately, when not only it has been accepted, but also encouraged. A recent parade has seen over 40 HD enthusiasts of the La Habana HD Motorcycle Club ride along the roads of the capital. The government itself donated 45 liters of gas for each bike for the event, and didn't even ask the remaining fuel back at the end.
Being an H-D Mechanic capable of restoring a bike can bring as much as 300 pesos in 5 months. This is 6 times the pay of a medic, and over 7 times the base pension the State passes to each citizen.
All their bikes are old models, from the '50s backwards. Most are "frankenstein" bikes, with parts from different models and periods put together to make the bike work.
They went on, even if for decades their passion was barely tolerated by a government notorious for its disregard of any kind of human rights.
Until recently, these guys didn't have manuals, or technical layouts, didn't have any kind of communication whatsoever with other H-D enthusiasts. They didn't even know that in Milwawkee the Harley Davidson still existed: these bikes for them were relics of the past.
They learnt how to tend for their bikes with trial and error, with breakages and even acidents when something didn't go as planned. With recent opening to the western world, some of them went to the USA, some leaving wives or husbands and children behind to get the chance to buy a Harley Davidson. Many western HD enthusiasts have visited them, brought manuals, even spare parts in recent years.
Somebody even bought one of their bikes, and had to leave it on the island, as it can't be exported, waiting for better times.
Well... this is real passion. I think we are all "RUBs" and "posers" if compared with these amazing guys!
Respect!

 

Thanks for the story of these real bikers... they in thier way fight for freedom how damned inspiring!! Now maybe the the damned MoCo could find a way to take advantage of the nice treatment these guys are temporarily getting from the commiesand get these folks some parts and such... maybe someway to outfit thier garages a bit in tools.... sh*t what the hell am I thinking...

 

living in miami I have experienced first hand how these cuban men are so crafty and make anything work out of nothing. I have many cuband friends and have seen picts of not only old motorcycles but many old 30's,40's & 50's vehicles that are still running today and look very good.Since things are not easily accessed in the island the have to come up with great ideas and make their own parts. They come to the states still with this ideals and cant get used to going to a store and buy a new part when needed. They stash anything they find thinking they could use it in the future.

 

check out the latin american motorcycle club, they have a chapter in Havana. I have friends from Puerto Rico that have travelled to Cuba and ridden throughout Cuba with the Harlistas as they are called in Cuba. I've seen pictures, let me see if I can get some for the forum.

 

Seems that sometimes we forget how lucky we are !!!

 

There is probably more functionally running 40's and 50's Lincolns, Mercs, Chevys, Fords in Cuba then anywhere on the planet as well.

Pound for pound Cubans also take education seriously as well and would hand the United States its *** in general education test scores.

It will be interesting times over there when Castro checks out andsomeone offs his brother.[/align]

 

Castro's government has forced their people to become efficient in ways we don't encounter very often. The US government on the other hand has pretty much closed Cuba to American business but I see a change in the wind. Perhaps, new shores await and some Cuban stogies as well.

 

I'd really like to see one of those bikes.

 

Wonder if there was a way to get stuff like spare tools and such to these guys?

 

That's touchy.. some stuff is flat out illegal for you to give or sell to them. It's easier to get Cuban cigars out of Cuba... don't ask me how I know this[sm=ts.gif].