The true measure of excellent design style
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From:
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,708
Likes: 17,550
From: Driftless Area
To take it one step further...A tool & die maker friend of mine just machined a bunch of Linkert parts for a '46 Knucklehead he is restoring. You can't tell them from original (even the stamp on the throttle door). He started with a seized motor, rims so rusted you could see daylight through them, and an oil stain. Now it looks like a museum piece and runs like a Swiss watch.
Can't imagine anyone going that far for a metric.
Can't imagine anyone going that far for a metric.
Thread Starter
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
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From: USA
One word comes to mind - timeless. That is what makes a classic. The average observer wouldn't know if my HD is a 2012, a 2002, or a 1992. When a design can withstand the ever changing winds of fickle desire, it is proof positive that it is a classic. This timeless design is also found on Porsche 911s, as pointed out by KBFXDLI.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 848
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From: Fair Oaks, Caliphornia
One word comes to mind - timeless. That is what makes a classic. The average observer wouldn't know if my HD is a 2012, a 2002, or a 1992. When a design can withstand the ever changing winds of fickle desire, it is proof positive that it is a classic. This timeless design is also found on Porsche 911s, as pointed out by KBFXDLI.
If a ride is "just a motorcycle". Why bother taking good care of it. If it's more than that, it's more pleasurable to take good care of and then ride until it can't help but fall apart... something that I believe will not happen any time soon...
IMHO...
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 277
Likes: 1
Though a number of you seem to agree with the OP as I do, nobody's given an enthusiastic "hell yeah" to that Shovel he posted, so I'll take a minute to do that here. I'd hit that Jesus crap with some spray paint and ride it all summer long, 'til the snow flies and rebuild season starts. I strongly agree with the "timeless" comments and the idea that Harleys age much better than their knockoffs with too much plastic that fades, bubbles, cracks, and flakes. It's kind of sad that Honda threw in the towel last year and said, "we don't even want to try to compete any more" and discontinued every single one of their VTX models. But, if that's the message they want to send about the longevity of their cruisers, who am I to disagree with them? 
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
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I get it now. No dis intended. You are correct the design is timeless, how a motorcycle is defined. At first I thought you were being facetious.
Even hardcore Goldwingers admit that a Harley looks like a motorcycle should.
I am just a bit put off when someone that happens to own a Harley disrespects another brand.
I have had over 30 Harley's ,I must like them. I rode everything from a Honda 305 Dream to a Hayabusa, never met a bike I hated.
Motorcycle classics come in many forms. Harley doesn't own the design. As has been stated Triumph and the early Honda 750 also represent classics.
I apologize for coming off as rude, just did not get your gist at first. Peace.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
Harley DOES own the design. Oh, maybe not legally, but no matter how hard they try, the Japs just cannot get "the LOOK" down. They come close with the sound (RoadStar)but the look eludes them.
With the exception of some vintage British, nothing but a Harley "does it" for me. I would rather have that rusty old shovel in the OP than a brand new ricer. A Harley has something that no metric has ever been able to duplicate;a certain "Jen-a-say-kwa". I actually think it's great that Honda has "given up" trying to make a Jap Harley. Now, maybe they'll concentrate on making what they do best; a REAL ricer,an honest bike like the inline 4s from the 70s, instead of some phony baloney HD knockoff. If they did & kept it reasonable--I might just buy one.
With the exception of some vintage British, nothing but a Harley "does it" for me. I would rather have that rusty old shovel in the OP than a brand new ricer. A Harley has something that no metric has ever been able to duplicate;a certain "Jen-a-say-kwa". I actually think it's great that Honda has "given up" trying to make a Jap Harley. Now, maybe they'll concentrate on making what they do best; a REAL ricer,an honest bike like the inline 4s from the 70s, instead of some phony baloney HD knockoff. If they did & kept it reasonable--I might just buy one.
Last edited by dickey; Feb 15, 2012 at 01:47 PM.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,443
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I will be the first to agree, Honda did try to knock off Harley design with the Shadow, an appropriate name Eh? But the Shadow in 84 was a much better bike than the Ironhead Harley offered. That is why I bought one.
When the Evo was introduced all bets were off. I have tried other V twins, the M109 was one hell of a bike, but no other company has it down like HD.
Now the Suzuki V motor used in the VStrom and the SV is kick ***. The Japanese make great bikes. Different from Harley, Yes, but good bikes nonetheless.
The rice, potato and corn thing I just don't get. "J**" crap has been used on your Harley for 50 years. The J word or Rice are rude subtle racial slurs.
I am glad to own a Harley, I am sad that some think owning a Harley allows them to disrespect another country and another race. I have Japanese friends and find this bigotry offensive. Hell the Japanese are our allies.
I will say it again, if you hate the Japanese please remove all of the products produced in Japan form your Harley, then push it around the block. Peace.
When the Evo was introduced all bets were off. I have tried other V twins, the M109 was one hell of a bike, but no other company has it down like HD.
Now the Suzuki V motor used in the VStrom and the SV is kick ***. The Japanese make great bikes. Different from Harley, Yes, but good bikes nonetheless.
The rice, potato and corn thing I just don't get. "J**" crap has been used on your Harley for 50 years. The J word or Rice are rude subtle racial slurs.
I am glad to own a Harley, I am sad that some think owning a Harley allows them to disrespect another country and another race. I have Japanese friends and find this bigotry offensive. Hell the Japanese are our allies.
I will say it again, if you hate the Japanese please remove all of the products produced in Japan form your Harley, then push it around the block. Peace.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
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From: -
Nothing wrong with Japanese, they make wonderful bikes. In particular Street/naked bikes and racing bikes. Their design is great the technology of their engines even greater.
When they manifacture a "cruiser" bike to offer an alternative to Harley they fail big time.
I love Harleys because they give me the possibility to own a classic machine and a new bike at the same time.
Harley are truly "classics".
Japanese "cruiser" bikes aren't, they are made roughly similar, but they aren't classic.
When they manifacture a "cruiser" bike to offer an alternative to Harley they fail big time.
I love Harleys because they give me the possibility to own a classic machine and a new bike at the same time.
Harley are truly "classics".
Japanese "cruiser" bikes aren't, they are made roughly similar, but they aren't classic.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,106
Likes: 51,387
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Though a number of you seem to agree with the OP as I do, nobody's given an enthusiastic "hell yeah" to that Shovel he posted, so I'll take a minute to do that here. I'd hit that Jesus crap with some spray paint and ride it all summer long, 'til the snow flies and rebuild season starts. I strongly agree with the "timeless" comments and the idea that Harleys age much better than their knockoffs with too much plastic that fades, bubbles, cracks, and flakes. It's kind of sad that Honda threw in the towel last year and said, "we don't even want to try to compete any more" and discontinued every single one of their VTX models. But, if that's the message they want to send about the longevity of their cruisers, who am I to disagree with them?