Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
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Tourer
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Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
I know that it has been aired before but I just watched the National Geographic program about the factory that produces the V-rods.
In the late 70's and early 80'sI was involved is selling CNC machine tools and it was theearly stages of robotics. Although the robots of the time were "cutting edge", they were "stone age" compared to today.
I had the opportunity to tour the York assembly plant during the AMF "dark days"and expected Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble to appear.
It is great to see that the Motor Company has a plant that is producing bikes with "cutting edge" technology. It is the only way that they will be able to exist ina global economy.
I hope that every one gets a good look at the radiator on the V-Rod because I believe that it will be here to stay. I think that the EPA has broken HD and in the near future all of the bikes will have some version of the Revolution motor.
Sorry to say but I think that the distinctive sound of the air cooled V Twin will soon be a thing of the past for new motorcycles. I am at an age that I don't have to purchase a new bike. I hope that I have another 15 to 20 years to ride (that would put me in my 70's). At about 15,000 miles per year, that's a few rebuilds.
I don't mean to sound like I have a black cloud over my head but I really believe that things they are a changing.
In the late 70's and early 80'sI was involved is selling CNC machine tools and it was theearly stages of robotics. Although the robots of the time were "cutting edge", they were "stone age" compared to today.
I had the opportunity to tour the York assembly plant during the AMF "dark days"and expected Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble to appear.
It is great to see that the Motor Company has a plant that is producing bikes with "cutting edge" technology. It is the only way that they will be able to exist ina global economy.
I hope that every one gets a good look at the radiator on the V-Rod because I believe that it will be here to stay. I think that the EPA has broken HD and in the near future all of the bikes will have some version of the Revolution motor.
Sorry to say but I think that the distinctive sound of the air cooled V Twin will soon be a thing of the past for new motorcycles. I am at an age that I don't have to purchase a new bike. I hope that I have another 15 to 20 years to ride (that would put me in my 70's). At about 15,000 miles per year, that's a few rebuilds.
I don't mean to sound like I have a black cloud over my head but I really believe that things they are a changing.
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RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
I saw that show and although I must say the factory is awsome, it also gave me a greater respect for those that build there own tanks and fab sheet metal.
To watch the machine stamp the metal and laser cut to perfection in seconds is amazing, but not as amazingas seeing someone turn sheet metal into form by hand.
Understandably if you going to build 300,000 tanks, this is purely the way to go. (i'm calling it a tank, though the v-rod tank is below the seat)
It was definatly worth watching.
To watch the machine stamp the metal and laser cut to perfection in seconds is amazing, but not as amazingas seeing someone turn sheet metal into form by hand.
Understandably if you going to build 300,000 tanks, this is purely the way to go. (i'm calling it a tank, though the v-rod tank is below the seat)
It was definatly worth watching.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Tucson, Az
RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
To help keep it in perspective consider that the automobile has changed alot more since 1903 than the motorcycle has. I don't see or hear many steam driven types or model "T's" around anymore and none of us seem to be bothered that the automobile has advanced to where it is today. As much as we love our Harleys (or we wouldn't have one) we have to admit that they are a getting a little long in the tooth and it's inevitible that change is going to happen.
Airjoe, I hope you have more than 10-15 more years. I'm 72 and I'm hoping for another 10-15 years !!!!!!!!!!
Airjoe, I hope you have more than 10-15 more years. I'm 72 and I'm hoping for another 10-15 years !!!!!!!!!!
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
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From:
RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
back in the late 60s I had a chanch to go to the harley Factory, in Millwakee, with the local dealer Bob Boots, I did the tour while he bought his bikes..I remember some pretty old ladies sitting at what looked like tredle sewing machines putting the windings on the armature of the Generators..they had big spools of copper wire right above their heads that came down and through the machine, just like grandmas sewing machine..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: back home in Michigan
RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
Saw it and gained a lot of respect for those assemblers. I would think it would take some real technical training to operate some of those machines. Is that how the York plant is or is the V Rod plant just that much more advanced? I'd say those guys, although not grueling back breaking work, sure earn the right to be well paid due to their knowledge as well as their ability to do it in a fast paced atmosphere with little or no time for screw ups. Just my honest opinion...
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From: Upstate New York
RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
nat. geo...... didnt show any naked jungle women so I changed the channel!! lol
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RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
I saw that too - it was a really interesting and well produced overview of the Vrod production process. I had only wished they showed the BT and Sporty process as well. I agree though - great show [sm=smiley20.gif]
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: ohio
RE: Ultimate Factory Harley-Davidson
talking about watching a machine stamp out fuel tanks etc. etc. etc.
I build the machine that stamps that stuff out, well; I've not built any Harley stuff YET; except for personal items.
I've help build the brand new 1988 Ford Bronco gas tank. It went into a huge knuckle press, meaning that it had the draw ring built into the press bed, we had that job for several months.
Built oven doors for Whirlpool
catylitic converter dies for Harrison radiator (formerly GM then Delphi, now Mexico) for the S-10, and the F-body
radiator headers for Chrysler and Ford
power window parts for GM
fuel injection for Ford (think of the part that connects to the fuel rail and injector)
pully covers for John Deere
Most of those progressive dies are "blued" meaning that you rough cut the punch and the die, then you paint one side with persion blue and the other side with a yellow compound, close the die, then take them back apart and remove the high spots. Takes forever. . . .
I've also help build beer can lids, called "easy open ends" for Coors, Budwieser, Pepsi, Coke, etc. etc. etc. These are more precise dies.
High speed dies, meaning that they run 700-750 strokes per minute, or if it's a (3) out conversion press that means that every minute 2100-2250 lids fly out of the end of the press (126,000 per hour) (over 3 million per 24 hr.). . .Anyway the exact tolerances on high speed dies eliminate the need to blue them, everything is held tight (0.0002), where the John Deere prints and tolerances were in fractions of the inch.
The automotive stuff runs MUCH slower, something like 150 strokes per minute, maybe 200spm, depending on what you're stamping. .
The stroke on a high speed press is only 1" - 1.7", vs a HUGE stroke on say the Bronco tank.
I build the machine that stamps that stuff out, well; I've not built any Harley stuff YET; except for personal items.
I've help build the brand new 1988 Ford Bronco gas tank. It went into a huge knuckle press, meaning that it had the draw ring built into the press bed, we had that job for several months.
Built oven doors for Whirlpool
catylitic converter dies for Harrison radiator (formerly GM then Delphi, now Mexico) for the S-10, and the F-body
radiator headers for Chrysler and Ford
power window parts for GM
fuel injection for Ford (think of the part that connects to the fuel rail and injector)
pully covers for John Deere
Most of those progressive dies are "blued" meaning that you rough cut the punch and the die, then you paint one side with persion blue and the other side with a yellow compound, close the die, then take them back apart and remove the high spots. Takes forever. . . .
I've also help build beer can lids, called "easy open ends" for Coors, Budwieser, Pepsi, Coke, etc. etc. etc. These are more precise dies.
High speed dies, meaning that they run 700-750 strokes per minute, or if it's a (3) out conversion press that means that every minute 2100-2250 lids fly out of the end of the press (126,000 per hour) (over 3 million per 24 hr.). . .Anyway the exact tolerances on high speed dies eliminate the need to blue them, everything is held tight (0.0002), where the John Deere prints and tolerances were in fractions of the inch.
The automotive stuff runs MUCH slower, something like 150 strokes per minute, maybe 200spm, depending on what you're stamping. .
The stroke on a high speed press is only 1" - 1.7", vs a HUGE stroke on say the Bronco tank.