Harley to be Built in India

[Raptor]

Classic Indians (or Harleys) don't have "suicide shifters" They have tank mounted hand shifters. You are probably thinking of a "suicide clutch". These cycles didn't have that, either, unless they were modified...which many were. The standard clutch was a heel-toe foot clutch, that held position unless you moved it. If modified to have a spring return, so you held it down and let it out like a car clutch, it was called a "suicide clutch". Not that difficult, once you are used to them, although some variations of this modification were tricky. BTW, the most difficult thing for me to get used to on my old Indian was the left-hand throttle, combined with the right-hand, twist-grip spark retard.

You are right Scotty. I am not well versed in the area of classic motorcycles. What I do know is that these bikes were pretty special! Needless to say I did not ride the Indians; I just admired them from afar!

The right handed throttle would reeeeelly throw me!! I mean literally! I suspect I would not stay on the bike for very long!!

[irish2themax]

Many reasons why mfg in the USA has tanked. Some are:

-Taxes on corporations (depending where you live - for example... CT is one of the most unfriendly business states in the Nation)

-Energy costs to make the product - For example, CT is 2nd highest in the nation for energy costs

-Through the years as people have demanded higher salaries, it's increased the price of everything

- organized labor

That IMHO is the crux of the problem. We are our own worst enemy. The US has a widespread serious, if not fatal, ebbtide in manufacturing. Over the years, unions have been very successful in negotiating continuing increases in worker wages and I have to tip my hat to their success. However, it is exactly that success that has contributed to this ebbtide. As companies seek to increase their profit margins (afterall that's why they're in business), they are forced to find cheaper supplies and labor labor. As a result, we have priced ourselves out of the competition.

[Smylinacha]

That IMHO is the crux of the problem. We are our own worst enemy. The US has a widespread serious, if not fatal, ebbtide in manufacturing. Over the years, unions have been very successful in negotiating continuing increases in worker wages and I have to tip my hat to their success. However, it is exactly that success that has contributed to this ebbtide. As companies seek to increase their profit margins (afterall that's why they're in business), they are forced to find cheaper supplies and labor labor. As a result, we have priced ourselves out of the competition.

EXACTLY! it's our downfall - we priced ourselves right out of competition.

[Firefly]

What it comes down to is greed. It's not that these companies weren't making money when using US workers--- they just wanted to make MORE to keep the board and shareholders rolling in the green.... and they had the market flooded with cheaper foreign products which made it hard to compete.

So yes--- we are our own worst enemies----everyone wants everything dirt cheap -- and the big wigs want to pinch every last dime out of profit.

Had to go to a meeting at our local HD shop yesterday--- was hard pressed to find anything made in the US. Saw tags from Indonesia, Taiwan, India, China, etc.... Yeah $60 for a T-shirt that they had made in Indonesia for .25 ... unreal. Makes me sick.

[Campverdefela]

The Spyder also has parts from Vietnam....

---------------------

The difficulty here is that this comes at a time when HD has threatened to close down their assembly plant in Wisconsin because they claim labor is too expensive. They employ 1,600 there.

How long will it be before they decide to use the cheap labor over there to ship parts back over here? They already have their lights and electronics made in Japan and China.....

HD makes more money from T-shirt sales alone than ALL other items (including bikes) they sell COMBINED---- and I guarantee those shirts are not made in the USA.

Sad sign of the times. Makes me sick.

BRP take note of this and start loading up the tee's at your dealers. I for one have my share but theirs always room for one more.

[Smylinacha]

What it comes down to is greed. It's not that these companies weren't making money when using US workers--- they just wanted to make MORE to keep the board and shareholders rolling in the green.... and they had the market flooded with cheaper foreign products which made it hard to compete.

So yes--- we are our own worst enemies----everyone wants everything dirt cheap -- and the big wigs want to pinch every last dime out of profit.

Had to go to a meeting at our local HD shop yesterday--- was hard pressed to find anything made in the US. Saw tags from Indonesia, Taiwan, India, China, etc.... Yeah $60 for a T-shirt that they had made in Indonesia for .25 ... unreal. Makes me sick.

I bought a 1/2 helmet at the HD store in IL when we were there seeing our youngest graduate Naval Bootcamp - I did good - it was only $60 but that is RARE. It was on clearance. Probably an old style, who knows but I bought it. I spent good money on their FXRG stuff a few years back and it's warranty'd for 5 years and it's good stuff (not made in America though) but it keeps me very warm and dry. I would NEVER buy tshirts there though - yup, they want over $50 and the girl's stuff cost even more than the guy's stuff.

You even gotta watch what stuff you buy at the grocery store. Read the labels - especially if shopping in a discount store - I've read about toothpaste from China that has lead in it.

Yes, there is corporate greed, I agree with you on that but there's also global competition we have to compete with and we cannot afford to make the same stuff we used to make because it simply costs too much due to labor, taxation due to location for some states. It amazes me, all these kids who are gonna have major student loans due from the fancy colleges and no jobs for them.

[Smylinacha]

The last American clothing manufacturer - with an ever growing workforce

http://www.prisonblues.com/default.htm

Wonder how much their stuff is, couldn't find any pricing. But yeah, it's an ever growing workforce alright!

[Wildrice]

Now when they say my bike is a rice burner I can tell them they ride a curry burner.

I've had a few Hayabusa's-& Harleys--currently a 2007 Velocity Stage 2 Turbo. When they call it a rice burner I ask them to go for a comparison ride & "I'll fry their rice for them"

[effgjamis]

I couldn't believe the CNN report but here it is.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapc...kes/index.html

Happy that the Spyder will still be made in America (North America).

Riding is like Meditation....

Humm Interesting...... I thought Spyder was manufactured in Quebec, and I heard Mexico.

[MouthPiece]

Humm Interesting...... I thought Spyder was manufactured in Quebec, and I heard Mexico.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's great to see this post. Hope all is well with you Forrest.

Chris

[Cruzr Joe]

Funny as hell .................. This post started back in 2010.


Cruzr Joe

[manxman]

Aren't the Enfields built in India also? (have you looked at one of them?? build quality just ain't in their vocabulary!) If Harley is outsourcing to there I bid them goodbye and wish them well...

Enfield is made in India, it started in WW2 when the factory in England could not keep up with the demand. After the war the factory was eventually sold to India holdings. And your right about the quality, it was not up to the post war Enfields that were sold in England in the fifties.

[ThreeWheels]

The Spyder is built in North America with various parts from China.

I'm guessing the windshield arm on the RTs are made in China.

[Bob Denman]

Archeology is often best-left to the experts...

[Wildrice]

Can we call this a true merger between H-D and Indian????

Now where will a find a "burka" to replace my helmet????
Darrell

[jaherbst]

Is that just your opinion or do you have some facts to back that up.

I have not had even one minor issue with my Harley. Granted it only has 20,000 miles on it and virtually none in the last two years since I got the Spyder. But from what I know (and sometimes that isn't much) and the people I know that own Harley's, they are not a troublesome machine and are very well built.

65,000 on my Harley Ultra Classic and did not turn a screw. How many times have you had your Spyder in after 65,000 miles?

Jack

[GOZFST]

Humm Interesting...... I thought Spyder was manufactured in Quebec, and I heard Mexico.

UMM Quebec and Mexico ARE in N. America.

[Bob Denman]

I thought that Mexico was considered part of central America...

[3-togo]

That IMHO is the crux of the problem. We are our own worst enemy. The US has a widespread serious, if not fatal, ebbtide in manufacturing. Over the years, unions have been very successful in negotiating continuing increases in worker wages and I have to tip my hat to their success. However, it is exactly that success that has contributed to this ebbtide. As companies seek to increase their profit margins (afterall that's why they're in business), they are forced to find cheaper supplies and labor labor. As a result, we have priced ourselves out of the competition.

Yes, let's do everything possible to eliminate the middle class. Have any you looked at what really drives the economic cycle in our wonderful country. Domestic consumerism makes up a large part of our economy. So let's pay everybody less and start a perpetual recession for the betterment of those at the top of economic pyramid. Also, let's give more power to Wall Street so they can stage anthor coup to destroy our country, economically. No one cares or seems to remember how close we came to destroying ourselves. No one even received punishment. But many Americans lost a substantial amount from their retirement accounts. Oh,well, why do I bother. Have a Merry Christmas.

[Bob Denman]

Yes, let's do everything possible to eliminate the middle class. Have any you looked at what really drives the economic cycle in our wonderful country. Domestic consumerism makes up a large part of our economy. So let's pay everybody less and start a perpetual recession for the betterment of those at the top of economic pyramid. Also, let's give more power to Wall Street so they can stage anthor coup to destroy our country, economically. No one cares or seems to remember how close we came to destroying ourselves. No one even received punishment. But many Americans lost a substantial amount from their retirement accounts. Oh,well, why do I bother. Have a Merry Christmas.

You get "Loopy", when you're hungry; eat a Snickers Bar!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BPL...detailpage#t=8


This thread is so old, that virtually said seven years' ago; applies today...

[Wildrice]

65,000 on my Harley Ultra Classic and did not turn a screw. How many times have you had your Spyder in after 65,000 miles?

Jack

Jack---that's because all the screws fell out at 3000 miles :-)..In 1954 I was riding an Allis Chalmers & a Case + dually rear wheel box truck. I really miss milking those cows at 5:30AM in -20 degree weather. Best yet was letting them out of the barn in the Spring time & having them eat fresh grass===rear end gas explosions during milking--they could blow a stream for 10' easy--needed to walk with caution & run wihen tail raised.

[ARtraveler]

Since the thread originated in November of 2010...does anyone know if HD really went to India to have their machines built. I am thinking they are still alive and well in Milwaukee WI.

Good to re-read and see some of our friends who are no longer posting and even a couple that have passed on.

Welcome back Forrest.

[Rocketman 2012]

Harley Davidson just signed a new win-win contract with their representing Unions.

They have been producing bikes in India for some time and successfully so. Probably right next door to the huge DELL COMPUTER world wide service center.

At heart, I am an isolationist. I could give a big poop about Globalization or income equality that somehow lowers our (American citizens) income and quality of life. Manufacture here and sell here and do so using American Citizens. This may be controversial but I could care less about DIVERSITY or multiculturalism. I really don't care where "WE" all came from 300 years ago or if the so called cradle of civilization was in South Africa, I'm talking about now. Celebrate your cultural pride in your own country but when you come here, become a 'Flag waving' American or just stay home and change your country to suit you. Don't change mine

You LIB's will say this sounds Racist since it your standard reply now but something has to be done to stop this Division of so called cultures and to stop these ANARCHIST from ruining this society.

Sam