Thanks old timers
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Wisconsin
We rode them and back then you had to know how to repair them or at least have a Brother that could help You.Even though they had some mechanical issues then it really did not matter as riding them back then and the lifestyle that went with it said something about us.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
IMO, It's true AMF stepped in and sunk money into Harley but it was Willie G. and the boys buying it back from AMF that enabled HD to prosper. The "old timers" who bought, maintained and rode those old bikes were a hell of a lot more hard core than most of the "bikers" you see riding today. As far as the reputation for poor reliability, I can't say because back then all I had was an old pain in the azz triumph and could only admire and envy those guys who rode Harleys. I have a lot of respect for those guys riding and maintaining the old iron. I hope to keep my current 06 road king rolling for another 20 years.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
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Forgot to mention...
Goin' back to Shu's last post I just read I have to agree with him....there are more complaints in here now about new MOCO customer service policies than complaints about THE NEW BIKES and it's because the new bikes are so much better. I still say Harleys gotten better because the competition forced them to get better ...not the old timers who just kept fixin' their old bikes. Anybody out there in "old timer land" believe in R&D?
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,119
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From: USA
Goin' back to Shu's last post I just read I have to agree with him....there are more complaints in here now about new MOCO customer service policies than complaints about THE NEW BIKES and it's because the new bikes are so much better. I still say Harleys gotten better because the competition forced them to get better ...not the old timers who just kept fixin' their old bikes. Anybody out there in "old timer land" believe in R&D?
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,067
Likes: 60
From: Chesterfield, VA
these larger engines with higher compression?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
Hey hommes,
Yes, competition made the bikes better but the union strike at AMF didn't help quality.
Anyway, the thread is about those who stuck by harley, bought bikes and put up with the problems. These are riders with a true passion for the make and really made it possible for HD to get better instead of going under. Thankfully, there where guys without your whiney attitude.
Yes, competition made the bikes better but the union strike at AMF didn't help quality.
Anyway, the thread is about those who stuck by harley, bought bikes and put up with the problems. These are riders with a true passion for the make and really made it possible for HD to get better instead of going under. Thankfully, there where guys without your whiney attitude.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
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Yo Snarly
Shade tree mechanic? I don't think so. My brother was a professional mechanic, mostly at car dealerships, retired now and always had his harley. He was also a certified master welder and could fabricate some really cool looking frames back in the day.
Not having his mad skills, I always opted for a "reliable" bike with some cool to it which for me meant BSA's and Triumphs back then.
Not having his mad skills, I always opted for a "reliable" bike with some cool to it which for me meant BSA's and Triumphs back then.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 23,178
Likes: 19
From: elsewhere
Lame azz defense...about a 3rd grade level i'd say.
Goin' back to Shu's last post I just read I have to agree with him....there are more complaints in here now about new MOCO customer service policies than complaints about THE NEW BIKES and it's because the new bikes are so much better. I still say Harleys gotten better because the competition forced them to get better ...not the old timers who just kept fixin' their old bikes. Anybody out there in "old timer land" believe in R&D?
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
I owned an "07 1200C Sportster and not one problem. I have an "09 FXD and love it but I did have to wrangle the MOCO into fixing a warped brake rotor at only 1200 miles. I say "wrangle" because I had to go pretty far up the line to get them to fix it under my warranty.
I watched my brother spend more time fixin' his harleys than he did riding it. My brother is a true "old timer". He was proudest of his harley chopper he had in the late 60's with a Knucklehead motor but I'll bet he put under 1,000 road miles on it all the time he owned it.
I rode kick start BSA's and Triumphs back then. While I was out riding he was working away on his bike in the garage and poking fun at me for not riding a Harley. Go figure.
Nice OP, cromagnon.
Find a rock and crawl under it, hommes. And you ain't hommes to me.