OT/Harley Davidson

I was wondering if any of you guys know anything about this.

A guy told me today that Polaris sued HD because HD was saying that their cycles were all American made. He claims that several items on a Harley are made in Japan. He also said that Polaris won the suit. Polaris builds the Victory motor cycle here in the USA.

I am thinking that this guy made this story up cause its the first time I heard it.

Harley sued yamaha, honda and couple others for trying to copy a harley"s sound.

Nothing comes up on google concerning a lawsuit but it is a fact that Harley out sources parts from Japan. Mikuni carbs for thing and I think suspension as well. Dave

Hardley has changed hands so many times over the years it is hard to keep up. Me I would never own one unless it was from say pre 50s. Did you know they are one if not the only motorcycle that in the shop manuals it says to use lock tight on the bolts because if you do not they will fall out. Ya I'll get hammered over this but oh well. If I where to spend the money it cost for a hardley I would buy a BMW. Oh by the way in WW2 hardley was ordered to make BMW type bikes for the dessert areas because the back cylinders of the hardley would melt down

wish I had not sold my harley 45 in 1959 for $25.00

This is another new motorcycle assembled in the US from the California Scooter Company. It's a 150cc bike that takes its styling approach from the Mustangs of the 1940s/50s/60s (the Mustang was also built in California). We're thinking about doing one in a John Deere paint scheme.

The issue about "built in America" (whether Harley or any other manufacturer) is not particularly meaningful these days. Virtually all motorcycle manufacturers, including those from overseas, source components, subassemblies, and entire bikes from other countries. My Kawasaki (a Japanese brand) is made in Thailand. The Triumph Bonneville (a UK company) is made in Asia. The BMW 650 is not made in Germany. Some of the Japanese engines come from China.

The issue of US production versus overseas production is not restricted to motorcycles, either. My Chevy Tahoe, for example, was made in Mexico (and it was one of the best vehicles I've ever owned). What the manufacturers do is source components based on their meeting specified engineering and quality requirements, and they do this to keep the cost down.

My personal wish is that a lot more stuff could be made in the US, but if that was the case, I couldn't afford much of what I have now. And even though the product (some or all of it) may come from overseas, it still supports a lot of people in the US (the dealers and their employees, local businesses that support the dealers, etc.).

I've not heard anything about Polaris suing Harley Davidson about their bikes not being made entirely in the US. I haven't closely examined a Polaris, but my guess is that a close examination would reveal that they also source components from overseas.

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Wow, I'd like to have another Mustang just for the fun and memory of my old days at Pinecastle AFB (now Orlando International) and Homestead AFB in the 50's. I was a crew chief on a B-47 and had a Mustang to ride back and forth to work from the barracks and out to my airplane on the flightline. Fun old bike..although I took same bad spills on it...but, I was young then and the road rash healed fast. Mustang had a pretty big one cylinder engine with a British built Burman 3 speed tranny, a cork faced clutch disk and 4.00 X 12 tires. I remember that much.

I bought a new harley sporster in 71. When you would get on it for a few minutes the engine would start to seize up. Then if you let off of it for a while it would free up again. The dealer never would fix it. My neighbor has two harley hogs; one for him and one for his wife. His tries to seize up just like mine did. His wife's runs good. I would never buy another harley. I suspect that the end gap in the rings is too close is the cause.

I"ve heard this song so many times it"s getting ridiculous I"m on my 3rd Harley in 10 years my newest is a 2009 Ultra and I"m sure if I looked closely there will be hundreds maybe thousands of foreign parts so won"t my 97 Ford 150 (Union Made by the way!) which has over 160,000 miles with less problems than all my 25 Chevy 15 and 2500 pickups. My wife is on her second Toyota Camry made in by the way Georgetown Ky. by Americans by the way and hundreds of american suppliers of which I know for a fact! SO, what"s your point??? BTW I"m willing to bet the Honda Goldwing has more american parts that any other bike made in the US which until recently was made in Marysville Ohio! Bring up facts not fiction! Trivia question, how many robots are made in the US? I've been in heavy industry for many years and I can quote figures!

My Goldwing says "Made in the USA" on the side of the engine.

Dukester, you have a very good memory. All the names and stats you provided are 100% correct. We have a '53 Mustang that we've used as inspiration for our design. Here's a shot of a new California Scooter and the '53 Mustang Pony.

California Scooter Company

J. Wondergem I"m sure it was if it was made since 1988 because my son did the engine blocks for them. I don't know if you're aware of it but the plant in Marysville was shutdown in 2008 and consolidated in California. CT

And, to think i had a 1936 Indian Chief which i rode a lot, but sold it to get money to get married with! Near as i can remember, i got $200 for it! That was in 1950! What would it be worth now??
OOOOHH, I hate to think what it would be worth now!!