Jap bits on Harleys

**P38** · 27th May 2008, 22:57

Originally Posted by peasea

No, no, I won't have it!
The Columbians are going hard out too, feeding the Yanks all the coke they can snort. Come on, be fair!

True, how would Hollywood function without the Columbians.

**SilverGrin** · 28th May 2008, 07:50

I'm sure Columbians would be delighted with the notoriety, but I think you mean Colombians?

**mouldy** · 28th May 2008, 08:56

Originally Posted by Dooly

Just wondering, how many bits on Harleys are outsourced, or made in Japan/Thailand/China/Fiji, wherever.
This bloke I know reckons that Harleys are all made in the US, and all bits etc.
Seems a bit niave in this day and age.

Keihen carbs ,showa suspension , Nippon denso electrics , thats why they don't break down anymore . Most of all the overpriced customising parts are made in China

**P38** · 28th May 2008, 17:08

Originally Posted by SilverGrin

I'm sure Columbians would be delighted with the notoriety, but I think you mean Colombians?

LOL

Yeah them too.

**P38** · 28th May 2008, 17:09

Originally Posted by mouldy

Keihen carbs ,showa suspension , Nippon denso electrics , thats why they don't break down anymore . Most of all the overpriced customising parts are made in China

Hahahahaha

Yes we know.

**Biggles2000** · 29th May 2008, 11:31

Originally Posted by mouldy

Keihen carbs ,showa suspension , Nippon denso electrics , thats why they don't break down anymore . Most of all the overpriced customising parts are made in China

HD like all vehicle makers use the best quality and lowest price parts available if the electrics come from Japan or castings from China well thats just a fact of life living in a global free market economy. I don't think many HD owners have any issues with where the components for their bikes come from, well I don't. In fact I think the fuel injection system on my scooter is a Bosh unit.

Its just a fact now that all the HDs from the late 60s 70s and early 80s were pretty average quality. The japs were nailing the American and English motorcycle industry with an agressive marketing program and to be fair a superiour quality product. We all know that very few motorcycle makers outside japan survived the 80's, I am glad HD did as they seem to act like a design counterpoint to the big Japaneese makers. It wasen't until the management brought back the company that HD got its quality back under control and started to make the products that the HD customers really wanted. In a way HD learnt a big lesson from the Japaneese and we all now have a better quality product because of it.
My scooter has just clocked 40k km in 3 years and has not missed a beat. It's by far the most reilyable motorcycle I have ever owned.

**P38** · 29th May 2008, 16:54

Originally Posted by Biggles2000

HD like all vehicle makers use the best quality and lowest price parts available if the electrics come from Japan or castings from China well thats just a fact of life living in a global free market economy. I don't think many HD owners have any issues with where the components for their bikes come from, well I don't. In fact I think the fuel injection system on my scooter is a Bosh unit.

Its just a fact now that all the HDs from the late 60s 70s and early 80s were pretty average quality. The japs were nailing the American and English motorcycle industry with an agressive marketing program and to be fair a superiour quality product. We all know that very few motorcycle makers outside japan survived the 80's, I am glad HD did as they seem to act like a design counterpoint to the big Japaneese makers. It wasen't until the management brought back the company that HD got its quality back under control and started to make the products that the HD customers really wanted. In a way HD learnt a big lesson from the Japaneese and we all now have a better quality product because of it.
My scooter has just clocked 40k km in 3 years and has not missed a beat. It's by far the most reilyable motorcycle I have ever owned.

Shit I know plenty of Hardley owners who's veins in their necks stick out and their faces turn purple everytime you mention Jap parts and Roadking in the same sentence.

It's always good for a wind up when they trot out the hollier than thou attitude.

It is all too easy really

**SilverGrin** · 29th May 2008, 19:24

Originally Posted by P38

Shit I know plenty of Hardley owners who's veins in their necks stick out and their faces turn purple everytime you mention Jap parts and Roadking in the same sentence.

It's always good for a wind up when they trot out the hollier than thou attitude.

It is all too easy really

I reckon you're exaggerating a little.
You've been told millions of times to stop doing that.

**Biggles2000** · 29th May 2008, 20:35

Jap parts & Road King................. Wait for it.............. See no problem.

Silver, I also think he is exaggarating.

P38 It's not a wind up at all, no matter what I claim your argument will always be the same that Harley riders mind having jap bits in their rides. If I minded I would not have brought a Harley. Do you know your bike actually looks like a Harley complete with its Jap electrics.

Personally I trust that Harley Davidson has chosen the best quality components available to use in my motorcycle, if these are jap electrics then I am more than happy that I have the best quality bits available. The Japs make the best electronics in the world and my Harley is a better bike because of them.

Now if my Harley was styled in Japan and had American electronics.....

**Biggles2000** · 29th May 2008, 20:38

Oh I forgot to add that I actually like Jap electronics, its amazing what they can do today with a toaster. More computing power than the moon missions.

**P38** · 29th May 2008, 21:03

Originally Posted by Biggles2000

Jap parts & Road King................. Wait for it.............. See no problem.

Silver, I also think he is exaggarating.

P38 It's not a wind up at all, no matter what I claim your argument will always be the same that Harley riders mind having jap bits in their rides. If I minded I would not have brought a Harley. Do you know your bike actually looks like a Harley complete with its Jap electrics.

Personally I trust that Harley Davidson has chosen the best quality components available to use in my motorcycle, if these are jap electrics then I am more than happy that I have the best quality bits available. The Japs make the best electronics in the world and my Harley is a better bike because of them.

Now if my Harley was styled in Japan and had American electronics.....

Well I'm glad you aint bothered by that.

Cos there's Plenty round here that is.

Yep I know my bike is styled like a Harley. Thats partly why I bought It.

Dont get me wrong I like some of the Harley Davidson models just not enough to buy one.

It's the egos and attitues I dislike.

So I take the piss outta them.

Why?

Because I can!

**P38** · 29th May 2008, 21:05

Originally Posted by SilverGrin

I reckon you're exaggerating a little.
You've been told millions of times to stop doing that.

A bit of a wind up never hurts.

After all Harley riders are pretty "Tough" arnt they

**peasea** · 29th May 2008, 22:03

Originally Posted by P38

LOL

Yeah them too.

That's just doubled the coke intake for the US.
Sorry about the spilling mystique, I'n yoosually bitter than vat.

**Biggles2000** · 29th May 2008, 22:05

I really dont mind that my bike has Jap, German or Chinese parts in it just as long as they are the very best quality available at the time. If you ever take the time you might notice thats its your Doctor, Accountant, Lawyer or Rubbish collector, hell even a few Engineers, that has pulled up beside you on a Harley. To me Harley is the only motorcycle brand that seems to have a universal appeal across income, reilgion and social class. To me owning a Harley has been a real social leveller.

I really like riding with other Harliey owners because you never know who you will meet next. Don't get me wrong I also ride with non-Harley riders but Harley owners share a common interest in relatively expensive motorcycles which from the outside may look like elitism, hell Hog only has 1.1 million members. But I have been riding for 30 years and I have found a level of "brother hood" with Harley riders that I have not had with other brands of bike, not even close at the best of times.

I like Harley Davidson always have. If you feel the need to poke the borax at every and any Harley rider you meet, well if it makes you feel good, you do it. I am pleased that you have found an such an enjoyable and worthwile past time. I am going riding now, heading down the the Brass Monkey and are going to meet and have a beer with as many bikers as I can, before i fall over.