chinese made harleys
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: chinese made harleys
ORIGINAL: BANDIT
Chinese-Made Harleys
[/align]by Steve
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Tracy posted a comment on an older article, where she talks about Harley parts being made overseas...
[blockquote]One comment I will add here, is that for Harley lovers (Which I am one of them) to state put down a so-called metric bike and their argument is that you should own an American Bike, is rather contradictory, when most parts for HD are being outsourced and manuctured in Japan, Chile, Germany, China, Mexico and etcetera...while being shipped into the USA and assembled! Where as several of the Japanese made bikes are actually being manufactured and assembled both in the USA! So for HD owners to put down a so-called metric crusier and make the claim it's "just a rice grinder" and not a truly American made bike, is an oximoronic statement to say the least! [/blockquote]
This particular subject has been hashed out so many times before on other websites.
I suppose this whole notion of Harley's being made of foreign parts is going to play out even more as the years go by. While Harley's are still very popular, I'm beginning to see signs that interest is waning[/align]
Chinese-Made Harleys
[/align]by SteveSaturday, April 15, 2006
Tracy posted a comment on an older article, where she talks about Harley parts being made overseas... [blockquote]One comment I will add here, is that for Harley lovers (Which I am one of them) to state put down a so-called metric bike and their argument is that you should own an American Bike, is rather contradictory, when most parts for HD are being outsourced and manuctured in Japan, Chile, Germany, China, Mexico and etcetera...while being shipped into the USA and assembled! Where as several of the Japanese made bikes are actually being manufactured and assembled both in the USA! So for HD owners to put down a so-called metric crusier and make the claim it's "just a rice grinder" and not a truly American made bike, is an oximoronic statement to say the least! [/blockquote]
This particular subject has been hashed out so many times before on other websites.
I suppose this whole notion of Harley's being made of foreign parts is going to play out even more as the years go by. While Harley's are still very popular, I'm beginning to see signs that interest is waning[/align]
products made in U.S.A.
By Wayne T. Price
Harley-Davidson- "Not only is the company American-owned and all of their motorcycles American-made; the domestic-parts content is very high at 95 percent."
The AFL-CIO, The Union Label and Service Trades Department lists Harley Davidson as an American Union Made Product. This means that it is a predominately American Manufactured product, not an American Assembled Product.
Even the New York times agrees...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/bu...pagewanted=all
Each bike proudly bears the PACE and Machinists Union label on its frame. Harley Davidsons are manufactured by union workers in York, PA, Milwaukee, WI and Kansas City, MO. HD has agreements with their Unions that are unique among American companies. The Unions actually have to agree on decisions concerning parts and locations of manufacture. One of the most recent decisions surround the manufacture of the gearing on the 2007 transmission, HD proposed that it be manufactured by a German company, but the Union did not want this to happen, so the gearing in the newest six speed transmission is made right in the York plant.
It is tru that some parts are either no longer allowed to be manufactured in the USA (Batteries and other items that use costic materials) or that it is just impossible to get made here because of costs etc. The motors are forged and assembled in the USA.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: New York
RE: chinese made harleys
ORIGINAL: Slash
How to 'Buy American' guide to
products made in U.S.A.
By Wayne T. Price
Harley-Davidson- "Not only is the company American-owned and all of their motorcycles American-made; the domestic-parts content is very high at 95 percent."
The AFL-CIO, The Union Label and Service Trades Department lists Harley Davidson as an American Union Made Product. This means that it is a predominately American Manufactured product, not an American Assembled Product.
Even the New York times agrees...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/bu...pagewanted=all
Each bike proudly bears the PACE and Machinists Union label on its frame. Harley Davidsons are manufactured by union workers in York, PA, Milwaukee, WI and Kansas City, MO. HD has agreements with their Unions that are unique among American companies. The Unions actually have to agree on decisions concerning parts and locations of manufacture. One of the most recent decisions surround the manufacture of the gearing on the 2007 transmission, HD proposed that it be manufactured by a German company, but the Union did not want this to happen, so the gearing in the newest six speed transmission is made right in the York plant.
It is tru that some parts are either no longer allowed to be manufactured in the USA (Batteries and other items that use costic materials) or that it is just impossible to get made here because of costs etc. The motors are forged and assembled in the USA.
ORIGINAL: BANDIT
Chinese-Made Harleys
[/align]by Steve
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Tracy posted a comment on an older article, where she talks about Harley parts being made overseas...
[blockquote]One comment I will add here, is that for Harley lovers (Which I am one of them) to state put down a so-called metric bike and their argument is that you should own an American Bike, is rather contradictory, when most parts for HD are being outsourced and manuctured in Japan, Chile, Germany, China, Mexico and etcetera...while being shipped into the USA and assembled! Where as several of the Japanese made bikes are actually being manufactured and assembled both in the USA! So for HD owners to put down a so-called metric crusier and make the claim it's "just a rice grinder" and not a truly American made bike, is an oximoronic statement to say the least! [/blockquote]
This particular subject has been hashed out so many times before on other websites.
I suppose this whole notion of Harley's being made of foreign parts is going to play out even more as the years go by. While Harley's are still very popular, I'm beginning to see signs that interest is waning[/align]
Chinese-Made Harleys
[/align]by SteveSaturday, April 15, 2006
Tracy posted a comment on an older article, where she talks about Harley parts being made overseas... [blockquote]One comment I will add here, is that for Harley lovers (Which I am one of them) to state put down a so-called metric bike and their argument is that you should own an American Bike, is rather contradictory, when most parts for HD are being outsourced and manuctured in Japan, Chile, Germany, China, Mexico and etcetera...while being shipped into the USA and assembled! Where as several of the Japanese made bikes are actually being manufactured and assembled both in the USA! So for HD owners to put down a so-called metric crusier and make the claim it's "just a rice grinder" and not a truly American made bike, is an oximoronic statement to say the least! [/blockquote]
This particular subject has been hashed out so many times before on other websites.
I suppose this whole notion of Harley's being made of foreign parts is going to play out even more as the years go by. While Harley's are still very popular, I'm beginning to see signs that interest is waning[/align]
products made in U.S.A.
By Wayne T. Price
Harley-Davidson- "Not only is the company American-owned and all of their motorcycles American-made; the domestic-parts content is very high at 95 percent."
The AFL-CIO, The Union Label and Service Trades Department lists Harley Davidson as an American Union Made Product. This means that it is a predominately American Manufactured product, not an American Assembled Product.
Even the New York times agrees...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/bu...pagewanted=all
Each bike proudly bears the PACE and Machinists Union label on its frame. Harley Davidsons are manufactured by union workers in York, PA, Milwaukee, WI and Kansas City, MO. HD has agreements with their Unions that are unique among American companies. The Unions actually have to agree on decisions concerning parts and locations of manufacture. One of the most recent decisions surround the manufacture of the gearing on the 2007 transmission, HD proposed that it be manufactured by a German company, but the Union did not want this to happen, so the gearing in the newest six speed transmission is made right in the York plant.
It is tru that some parts are either no longer allowed to be manufactured in the USA (Batteries and other items that use costic materials) or that it is just impossible to get made here because of costs etc. The motors are forged and assembled in the USA.
Can we be done with this now.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 7
From: Chester County, PA
RE: chinese made harleys
ORIGINAL: Windup08
Actually the Japanese bike makers did help keep Harley in business after AMF nearly put them out of business. When Honda started getting big in the 60s and 70s and Harley was going down hill they didn't want to be known as the reason HD died. They bailed HD out and Harley got back on track to compete as the American made option in a sea of foriegn made bikes.
Actually the Japanese bike makers did help keep Harley in business after AMF nearly put them out of business. When Honda started getting big in the 60s and 70s and Harley was going down hill they didn't want to be known as the reason HD died. They bailed HD out and Harley got back on track to compete as the American made option in a sea of foriegn made bikes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
RE: chinese made harleys
Chornbe....you're right my mistake. Actually the Japanese bike makers tried to help HD out, but HD turned down the offer assuming they would get tariff protection. Check the following like if you want all the details.....I stand my my statement the AMF was the cause of HD nearly going bankrupt, comments to that effect also noted in the link. http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html The family buying the company back in the early 80s, along with tariff protection is what saved the MoCo.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 886
Likes: 3
From: NC Mountains
RE: chinese made harleys
Remember those shitty cars from the 70's? The ones where the doors did not fit(like my '78 Monte Carlo)...the fuel gauge was just there, it always showed fuel even if it was bone dry...the plastic "chrome" that was always hanging halfway off...the shift position indicator that showed "N" when the vehicle was actually in "D"...etc.? I'm glad that the foreign manufacturers showed domestic manufacturers that they had better start building higher quality products if they were to survive. Is Harley better today than it was during the AMF years or even before? I think very much so. The last bike I owned was a '77 KZ1000 that was a good machine...the Harleys were only for the die hard bikers...but now, they are very desireable and they have been for many years. I can't wait until I finally am able to get one for myself. Do they outsource parts? There are certain components that are not produced in this country by any manufacturer(such as some bearings). What difference does it really make? It seems Harley is still trying to maintain as much of it's heritage as possible and compete in a very difficult market. They are still an American company, just like Ford, General Motors, John Deere, etc. Chinese Harleys? Nahhh!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 2
From: Florida
RE: chinese made harleys
ORIGINAL: Windup08
Chornbe....you're right my mistake. Actually the Japanese bike makers tried to help HD out, but HD turned down the offer assuming they would get tariff protection. Check the following like if you want all the details.....I stand my my statement the AMF was the cause of HD nearly going bankrupt, comments to that effect also noted in the link. http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html The family buying the company back in the early 80s, along with tariff protection is what saved the MoCo.
Chornbe....you're right my mistake. Actually the Japanese bike makers tried to help HD out, but HD turned down the offer assuming they would get tariff protection. Check the following like if you want all the details.....I stand my my statement the AMF was the cause of HD nearly going bankrupt, comments to that effect also noted in the link. http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html The family buying the company back in the early 80s, along with tariff protection is what saved the MoCo.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 2
From: Northeast Wisconsin
RE: chinese made harleys
ORIGINAL: Gutman
Hey Bandit. Why don't you give us a list of all parts made in Japan, Chille, Germany, China, Melasia, etcetc. I would like to know what parts you are refering to.
Hey Bandit. Why don't you give us a list of all parts made in Japan, Chille, Germany, China, Melasia, etcetc. I would like to know what parts you are refering to.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
RE: chinese made harleys
The turn-around Harley made is nothing less than incredible. They did go thru some bad times and quality problems just like the American auto industry. What's really amazing to me is that not all that long ago the non-US competion almost put them out of business, now that same compition is doing everything it can to make a Harley-like model, but as hard as they try they just can't do it. The Harley mistique is still there and stronger than ever and I believe the MoCo is in good shape to continue dominating the market because they built a business model that is far more than just motorcycle, they are selling a life-style.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 6
From: inland empire so. calif.
RE: chinese made harleys
If you think just a little, you will figure out that AMF saved Harley with the purchase on the company. They were in trouble & need someone with deep enough pockets to automate & streamline production. American Machine & Foundry fit that bill. They did the best they could given the knowledge they had. They made some money and kept our choice in bikes alive. I bought one of the last AMF bikes in 1980. 80 ci. FXEF $4,700I rode that bike until 2000 when I sold it for $1,000 more then I paid brand new. Harley looks very good on paper and could make big $$$'s for the stock holders with a sale.
Mike
Mike