It's The End Of The World

[Moot]

Mike, I admit that HD has come a long way since AMF owned them. In the 1960's and 70's AMF was on an acquisition tear extracting every ounce of profit from a company in exchange for quality and customer satisfaction. Harley's resurgence in the late 1980's was fostered by a quality product but also hyping the myth. High prices and a 2 year wait on some models; what was that about?

I have never owned a Harley. So, yea, I problably don't get it. I did go for a ride on one in ninth grade. I had a friend who's father was a Shriner. We took his full dress Electra Glide out for a spin without dumping it or even getting caught. It had a cigarette lighter and Christmas lights in the spokes.

 

[mrgoodtude]

Mike, I admit that HD has come a long way since AMF owned them. In the 1960's and 70's AMF was on an acquisition tear extracting every ounce of profit from a company in exchange for quality and customer satisfaction. Harley's resurgence in the late 1980's was fostered by a quality product but also hyping the myth. High prices and a 2 year wait on some models; what was that about?

Even the old AMF would have a place in my garage and that's part of the point..
Aside from the "Nostalgia and the Heritage" turning a wrench is half the fun.
Kinda like having a 71 Chevelle.
Yes sir will have to give it to you on hyping the myth, Harley exec's were (and are) masters of marketing and the introduction of the Evolution engine (1986) gave them a strong foothold for boosting the hype.
For once Harley built a engine that would start easily, not burn oil and could be driven cross country without a breakdown.
Purists did not care for the Evo cause well turning a wrench was half the fun but yuppy puppy types jumped all over this new machine and demand went thru the roof ergo the price spikes and slow production..
I too jumped on the yuppy bandwagon after owning many Yamaha's (my 1st bike was a 1973 RD350 twin) so I am not critical of other makes its just that....
When I ride the 96 twin cam and listen to that throaty growl I am in another world (can't really describe it without sounding stupid) but I am in a place where everything is good.
V-twins have been around for 100 years and unlike cars remain essentially unchanged.
The comradarie of Harley owners is second to none, the groups, rallies, the history of the brand in events like Hollister, Sturgis, Daytona, and the Boozefighters are legend..
All I am saying is that till I owned a Harley I didn't get it either (and maybe I still don't) but when I look at an ole Knuckle, Pan or Shovelhead I smile

 

[dcalien]

I have been leased to Panther for 2 1/2 years and have never been upstairs. Or downstairs. In fact I have never been to Panther HQ. Ever! And I feel fine.

As far as the end of the world, I feel fine about that too. Maybe it was the martini, or the Ethiopian beaded seat cover or perhaps my hemp undies, but I feel fine.

I don't mean to be picky here Moot, it's just that I think you used copyrighted material here, and I don't see where you credited the owner of this material.

If you should be arrested for this I would be glad to testify about your character as we are "Van" brothers.

 

[Moot]

My apologies to the Bellamys. I did credit R.E.M. though!