AMF
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
AMF
Since I just bought a 79 FXS and am going to do a ground up restoration, I am curious. Back in the 80's hard core Harley owners said that a AMF wasn't really a Harley.. Whats Your opinion? Value, Quality, Dependabilty, Resale Value, is an AMF any less a Harley? Hope not to start any fights, just want to know.....................Doug
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,437
From: SW WA.
RE: AMF
Well the AMF years weren't the best for Harley but oldtimers badmounthing the newer machines goes way back long before AMF.
The oldtimers didn't trust the new fangled OHV Knucklehead when it came out in 1936,even earlier the JD models were the subject of scrutiny in the mid 1920's.
The Evolution was railed against when it came along as not being a real Harley because it had aluminum cylinders,now it's the Twincam that gets it from Evo guys lol.
Part of the AMF thing was Harley being owned but a sporting goods company didn't set well with long time loyal customers,AMF badged on the gas tank along side H/D was degrading.
Then there were the quality control issues during that period and labor troubles that lead to a reputation for poor quality that still dogs the company today even though that sad period in their history ended nearly 30 years ago.
Fortunately most of the AMF era bikes have been gone through by now,most several times over so there's little if any of the original AMF bugs left in them.
They're still old bikes that require a lot more TLC than modern bikes do but that goes for pretty much all bikes from back then.
The oldtimers didn't trust the new fangled OHV Knucklehead when it came out in 1936,even earlier the JD models were the subject of scrutiny in the mid 1920's.
The Evolution was railed against when it came along as not being a real Harley because it had aluminum cylinders,now it's the Twincam that gets it from Evo guys lol.
Part of the AMF thing was Harley being owned but a sporting goods company didn't set well with long time loyal customers,AMF badged on the gas tank along side H/D was degrading.
Then there were the quality control issues during that period and labor troubles that lead to a reputation for poor quality that still dogs the company today even though that sad period in their history ended nearly 30 years ago.
Fortunately most of the AMF era bikes have been gone through by now,most several times over so there's little if any of the original AMF bugs left in them.
They're still old bikes that require a lot more TLC than modern bikes do but that goes for pretty much all bikes from back then.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
RE: AMF
I think the best (worst) story I heard about the AMF years was about a couple who ordered a pair of bikes and flew into Seattle to pick them up. They couldn't even get them home to Idaho. Had to have the dealer come pick them up on the road and work on them to get them running again and then delivered them to the couples house by truck. I like my twin cam.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Central Valley CA
RE: AMF
My first bike was a 1978 FX Superglide, bought it as a basket case in '87 and I mean basket case I brought it home in milk crates, yeathe old shovelheadsleaked oil and yea they leaked oil so much that they had drip pans underneath them on the showroom floor, but I learned to wrench on that bike and rode it for 9 years before selling it and upgrading to an Evo motor.
The breaks barely worked and the shocks hardley smoothed out any bumps in the rode but I wouldn't have it any other way, that's what a shovelhead is all about.
And Y2K is right, just last month I heard an old timer say he would never own a bike that has fuel injection, just can't work on em, well I guess he won't be getting a new bike in this lifetime, sucks to be him, its called progress.
The breaks barely worked and the shocks hardley smoothed out any bumps in the rode but I wouldn't have it any other way, that's what a shovelhead is all about.
And Y2K is right, just last month I heard an old timer say he would never own a bike that has fuel injection, just can't work on em, well I guess he won't be getting a new bike in this lifetime, sucks to be him, its called progress.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
RE: AMF
Ibought a new late model 78, officially called a 78 1/2, FXS. It was all Harley and a damn good motorcycle. I kept it twelve years and wish I still had that kick/electric Shovel. Traded it in on a 91 FLHTCU and the dealer gave me double what I paid for it new. Those were the days when Harleys appreciated in value. I also got more than I paid for it on the Ultra when I traded it for a new 96 FXSTC.
A few people on the forums speak ill of the AMF Harleys but I doubt if most of them owned one. AMF saved Harley and the one I owned was as good and as well made as any other Harley that I have owned and it never left me stranded and I rode it all over the Rockies and the southeastern and southwestern USA.
You have a good bike. Enjoy it and be proud of it. Ride safe.
A few people on the forums speak ill of the AMF Harleys but I doubt if most of them owned one. AMF saved Harley and the one I owned was as good and as well made as any other Harley that I have owned and it never left me stranded and I rode it all over the Rockies and the southeastern and southwestern USA.
You have a good bike. Enjoy it and be proud of it. Ride safe.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
RE: AMF
Of coursethey wereHarleys, those people saying otherwize were a bunch of BlowHards!Remember,some people just like to complain!
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 945
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
RE: AMF
AMF's not a real HD, Sportsters a not real HD's, it's a point of view thing, and a stupid one at that. I did talk to an old timer once that told me that anything with out a kick start wasn't a Harley, whatever.
BL
BL
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 465
Likes: 10
From: Morgan City La.
RE: AMF
Bought a brand new off the showroom 75 Sportster , costs $2,550. 00 tax title and lic. . From when I first got it , it leaked oil maybe a 1000 mls. later a valve or something cracked the rocker cover , had trans. trouble . Sold it with 2000 mls. to a buddy and he did`nt keep it long . Have since bought 02 Super Glide , 98 Fatboy and an 06 Heritage , never had a seccond of trouble from none of these and have put many miles on them , you decide .