I think this represents why Harley Davidson still sells

[f6john]

What say you?

[DIGGER]

You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

[Avanti]

I say riding a hand shift, foot clutch is an experience every rider should have. I built a few knuckleheads that way in the late 70s early 80s with long springer front ends.

[hubcapsc]

I pulled up to a stop sign not long ago, and there was
another motorcycle at the street to my right. He took off
and it was an old Harley with a hand shifter. He came down
the street I was on, so I got to watch him take off and shift
through several gears as he leaned around the corner
and came past me. It was, indeed, way cool.



-Mike

[Rams]

You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

This I agree with............... 

Rams

[Jess from VA]

It's not the hand shift (long gone), it's the noise.  And marketing.

And cool clothes.  And pirate suits. 

[Flat 6 man]

You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

And the biggest A-holes on Harleys. They're very intolerant (my Valkyrie gets sneered at); they're like democrats that way. My mechanic refuses to work on Harleys; not because he doesn't like Harleys (he owns one) but because he doesn't like Harley owners.

[Flat 6 man]

I say riding a hand shift, foot clutch is an experience every rider should have. 

The old "suicide clutch." Riding a pre-1975 British bike with the left side foot brake and right side foot shifter is also an experience.

[DIGGER]

I say riding a hand shift, foot clutch is an experience every rider should have. 

The old "suicide clutch." Riding a pre-1975 British bike with the left side foot brake and right side foot shifter is also an experience.

In mid to late 60s our family had a 90Cc Ducati and a Honda 150.  Brake and gear shift were on opposite sides.    Could get you in big trouble in a panic stop.

[hubcapsc]

I say riding a hand shift, foot clutch is an experience every rider should have. 

The old "suicide clutch." Riding a pre-1975 British bike with the left side foot brake and right side foot shifter is also an experience.

In mid to late 60s our family had a 90Cc Ducati and a Honda 150.  Brake and gear shift were on opposite sides.    Could get you in big trouble in a panic stop.

The horn and turn signal switches are reversed on my 1800/1500... it is bad enough
to blow your horn at people to indicate that you might be turning, I'd hate to lock
up my brakes when I thought I was shifting to fifth...

-Mike

[f6john]

It's not the hand shift (long gone), it's the noise.  And marketing.

And cool clothes.  And pirate suits.  

And possibly because they see themselves as Brad Pitt, no shield, no glasses, no helmet, no cares and the wind in their hair.

[carolinarider09]

The picture sort of violates all the things we have been taught about safe riding.

However, it also stands for "freedom".  The freedom to do as you wish (i.e. not wear a helmet, not wear gloves, not wear,,  you name it).   It was one of the things that sort of symbolized motorcycle riders (at least when I was first interested in riding). 

There is, as many of you know, a certain amount of freedom expressed, experienced by the person in that picture.  It also shows someone in control of his ride.  He controls it, all parts. 

My first bike, in 1975 or so, was a (I think) a Yahama 175 Enduro, new to me.   I purchased a Bell full face helmet for riding.  Why you might ask.  It might have been where I worked (Nuclear Power, Safety always first) or it might have been because the fellow that sort of "talked" me in to making the decision had a full face helmet.

No matter, a year later, as three of us were riding our bikes on the way home taking the dirt road that followed the main power lines to Crystal River Nuclear Unit #3 (from US 19) I had an event.  I do not know what the event was but I remember being helped to my feet by my riding friends and not remembering a darn thing.

Plus the Bell helmet had a crack just above the opening for the face shield.  It was not salvageable.  The bike was fine. 

Freedom is a choice we have.   

As far as Harley's are concerned, I've never owned one and never had the real desire to ride one.  My Valkyrie is my "Bike".   Oh.... when I purchased my 2003 Valkyrie Standard, new to me, I was wearing a half helmet.  Still have it. 

2004-2005 picture of the wife and I on the "dragon".



And yes, the Valkyrie is not my only bike.  But it's still near the top of the list only competitor is the 2007 ST1300A. 

[Rams]

The picture sort of violates all the things we have been taught about safe riding.

However, it also stands for "freedom".  The freedom to do as you wish (i.e. not wear a helmet, not wear gloves, not wear,,  you name it).   It was one of the things that sort of symbolized motorcycle riders (at least when I was first interested in riding). 

There is, as many of you know, a certain amount of freedom expressed, experienced by the person in that picture.  It also shows someone in control of his ride.  He controls it, all parts. 

Hmm, reminded me of Forrest Gump.   

Rams 

[Jess from VA]

All choppers aren't Harleys, but the two I rode were.  Forks raised and raked out.  No front brakes and a really crummy rear brake.  Despite my decision to ride them very carefully, and my long experience riding, both scared the crap out of me. 

One of them could not make the turn, and I went across a man's wet yard, barely staying up, and then he came out of his house and pointed a shotgun at me (true story).

Harleys are OK, but choppers aren't.   

[Valkorado]

That photo represents why Harleys don't sell to most of us.

[Farside]

Well I think it's different but cool I don't know. I guess I'm spoiled not having that shifter in my little bike experience, 12 years. Safety does go out the door with that doesn't it.  Any way this pic reminds me of why I don't have a Harley. 

[Rams]

Well I think it's different but cool I don't know. I guess I'm spoiled not having that shifter in my little bike experience, 12 years. Safety does go out the door with that doesn't it.  Any way this pic reminds me of why I don't have a Harley. 

Well, that's not really a fair comparison, the bi-cyclist is solo, the HD is two up.   

Rams   

[TTG53#1717]

I bought my 1st Harley when I was 16 and still too young to have a learner permit. 8/70.
I still own that bike. A ‘54 KHK flathead. One of only about 320 that were made that year.
I’ve had an H-D Servicar trike, an Ironhead kick only Sportster that I sold after 31 years and now a ‘13 1200 Sportster that I swear was copied after a bike I built in ‘72.
The key word there is “built”.
High school shop class, “Choppers” and “Big Bike” magazines. I had the first H-D chopper in my school and all the trials & tribulations that went with it. Each Winter - torn down and built back different.
To me, there was no greater formative experience in my life than owning, building, riding and repairing that bike while I sweat out whether I’d go to Viet Nam or luck out. I lucked out in the draft lottery, went to MC mechanic school and got hired by an H-D dealership. It went bankrupt 6 months later, but with that short immersion into the totality of the Harley culture I knew I was hooked for life.

Once bitten twice shy, no more dealerships, I became a Machinist/Toolmaker and started making my own stuff and doing serious modifications.



Me in ‘80 with my “build”.

But then the “boutique” culture came in, they stepped away from the folks who stayed loyal during the lean times and I became an FTF type of H-D owner. It was kind of that transition that made me go out and buy my Valk after seeing one go zipping by while I was pumping gas into my Sporty.

The Valk was liberating ! I could ride without wondering what might need attention now or later.
The 1%rs left me alone when I was on the Honda. They literally thought they owned me when I rode an H-D.

These days I’m kinda a loner. The modern H-D culture just doesn’t seem to fit my senior persona.
I still like the smaller Sportster more than the big twin and they have officially discontinued the
classic Sporty line so I’ll hold on to the one I’ve got, keep it parked next to the Valk and enjoy them as long as I’m able. The old chop is getting another build but taking some time even though I have all I need to build anything I can think up.



I am who I am because I bought a Harley, but I’m not an A-hole. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’ve never been interested in Harleys. But, I sure do love your shop !   

[DIGGER]

I say riding a hand shift, foot clutch is an experience every rider should have. 

The old "suicide clutch." Riding a pre-1975 British bike with the left side foot brake and right side foot shifter is also an experience.

In mid to late 60s our family had a 90Cc Ducati and a Honda 150.  Brake and gear shift were on opposite sides.    Could get you in big trouble in a panic stop.

The horn and turn signal switches are reversed on my 1800/1500... it is bad enough
to blow your horn at people to indicate that you might be turning, I'd hate to lock
up my brakes when I thought I was shifting to fifth...

-Mike

I got to where in a crash stop you have to hit both at the same time to make sure you hit the brake.  Had near misses also when hitting rear brake for a 90 degree street turn and you hit the shifter instead.

[f6john]

I bought my 1st Harley when I was 16 and still too young to have a learner permit. 8/70.
I still own that bike. A ‘54 KHK flathead. One of only about 320 that were made that year.
I’ve had an H-D Servicar trike, an Ironhead kick only Sportster that I sold after 31 years and now a ‘13 1200 Sportster that I swear was copied after a bike I built in ‘72.
The key word there is “built”.
High school shop class, “Choppers” and “Big Bike” magazines. I had the first H-D chopper in my school and all the trials & tribulations that went with it. Each Winter - torn down and built back different.
To me, there was no greater formative experience in my life than owning, building, riding and repairing that bike while I sweat out whether I’d go to Viet Nam or luck out. I lucked out in the draft lottery, went to MC mechanic school and got hired by an H-D dealership. It went bankrupt 6 months later, but with that short immersion into the totality of the Harley culture I knew I was hooked for life.

Once bitten twice shy, no more dealerships, I became a Machinist/Toolmaker and started making my own stuff and doing serious modifications.



Me in ‘80 with my “build”.

But then the “boutique” culture came in, they stepped away from the folks who stayed loyal during the lean times and I became an FTF type of H-D owner. It was kind of that transition that made me go out and buy my Valk after seeing one go zipping by while I was pumping gas into my Sporty.

The Valk was liberating ! I could ride without wondering what might need attention now or later.
The 1%rs left me alone when I was on the Honda. They literally thought they owned me when I rode an H-D.

These days I’m kinda a loner. The modern H-D culture just doesn’t seem to fit my senior persona.
I still like the smaller Sportster more than the big twin and they have officially discontinued the
classic Sporty line so I’ll hold on to the one I’ve got, keep it parked next to the Valk and enjoy them as long as I’m able. The old chop is getting another build but taking some time even though I have all I need to build anything I can think up.



I am who I am because I bought a Harley, but I’m not an A-hole. 

And that is a great story of Americana! We all get molded by our passions.

[Jess from VA]

What a fantastic work shop.   

I'd still be impressed if it was full of hand painted decoys (or Vtwins).   

[Rams]

Yep, I see several tools that I'd like to have in my garage in that shop. 

The thing is, I don't care how big you build a shop/garage, it's never big enough!!   

Rams

[Avanti]

Everybody needs to start somewhere.

1947 FL built in 1970.   

[Jess from VA]

1986 one of 1,000 FXRD (Sport Glide) (Harley's only attempt at a sport touring bike) (80 inch EVO)

Rode it for 18 years.  Over 100K.  After getting my 2d Valk, it got sold to a San Francisco collector.



Lowers off in hot weather.


From the seat, with custom speakers, radio.  Fuel gauge on tank.  Speedo and Tach at eye level.  Volts, clock, oil pressure.  Vents and glove boxes.  Frame mount fairing, not on the bars/forks (so light steering).

[TTG53#1717]

Avanti…That’s a very nice Knuck !  My compliments.

Thanks all for the compliments on my back yard shop. It’s 20x22  cramped & often messy.
I still do some interesting machining in there.

[Jersey mike]

I was wondering if this was a clip from one of his movies, but apparently he rides and is quite a collector of bikes.

[Willow]

What say you? 

Apparently the bike in the picture under Brad Pitt was not sold by Harley.  It's an Indian Larry creation built "from the ground up".

[f6john]

What say you? 

Apparently the bike in the picture under Brad Pitt was not sold by Harley.  It's an Indian Larry creation built "from the ground up".

Point taken, but the picture was not about the bikes pedigree but the look, the sound, the lifestyle. I could be wrong though, hence, the question. It appears there are a lot of Harley parts on that custom creation, but I could be wrong about that too!

[hubcapsc]

there are a lot of Harley parts on that custom creation

With that open drive belt or whatever that is, I think there some
parts left off that thing too... and the frame... and the top of
the motor...

-Mike

[Valkorado]

there are a lot of Harley parts on that custom creation

With that open drive belt or whatever that is, I think there some
parts left off that thing too... and the frame... and the top of
the motor...

-Mike

Noticed that!  Kinda steampunk.  Make sure your boot laces are double knotted on that thing.

[cookiedough]

maybe they will start selling once their 130hp new motor comes more and more available?

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news/harley-davidson-introduces-new-130-hp-street-legal-crate-engine/