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This question sure brought out an interesting discussion. I wonder, if the MoCo offered a 100% American made bike for as competitive a price as possible, how many of us would buy that bike? Something like a CVO only 100% American produced...would you pay extra for it?
This question sure brought out an interesting discussion. I wonder, if the MoCo offered a 100% American made bike for as competitive a price as possible, how many of us would buy that bike? Something like a CVO only 100% American produced...would you pay extra for it?
I'd like the chance to consider it.
never happen. it would be virtually impossible to get a bike made with 100% american parts. even down to light bulbs, leds, integrated circuits, suspension, etc. i would venture to guess that a lot of the components don't even have a us made equivalent.
Quote: The Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations facility, also known as the "Home of the Big Twin," produces engines and transmissions for the final assembly plants in York, Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Missouri and for the Parts & Accessories Division in Franklin, Wisconsin. Powertrains for Touring, SoftailŽ and DynaŽ motorcycles are produced here.
The original Pilgrim Road facility was built by Briggs & Stratton in 1979. Harley-Davidson took ownership in October 1996.
Just because a plant "produces" the engines or transmissions doesn't mean that all of the parts are made in the good old USA.
I just bought a new Factory OEM Harley Davidson clutch spring from the local Harley Dealer for my Ultra Classic and it is Proudly Made in Japan.
My Uncle owned a spring manufacturing plant for years (some of his springs went to the Moon on Apollo 11) and he tells me that the cost of making a large quantity of this particular spring should cost around $4.00 to $5.00 per unit, if they are tempered and built in the USA. Harley sells them for $28.00. I guess that a 600% mark-up isn't enough for Harley, so they have them made in Japan for $2.00 and make a profit of 1300%. When we buy a Harley, we are attempting to Buy American. Evidently Harley doesn't agree with this philosophy.
HARLEY DAVIDSON'S NEW MOTO:
Proudly Assembled in the USA with the cheapest parts we can find, regardless of who makes them.
Sad, but true. Look at the voltage regulator snafu. Wonder what province in China those came from?
Reminds me of the quote of Alan Shepard as he was preparing to be shot into space in the 60's, (paraphrasing), I sit on top of the rocket built by the contractor that submitted the lowest bid...
Reminds me of the quote of Alan Shepard as he was preparing to be shot into space in the 60's, (paraphrasing), I sit on top of the rocket built by the contractor that submitted the lowest bid...
Because if it was built by the highest bidder youde be sitting on an Indian...
You can have an assembly made of a hundred different parts in ten different countries outside the US and assemble it in the US and call it MADE IN AMERICA.
I think B&S may have contributed to the design of the engines and transmissions, as well.
I was always told that the 5 speed trannys were designed by AMF, and thats what ultimately put HD back in business, just before they bought it back from AMF. At least thats what the old time mechanics that were here a lot longer than I
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