"Made in USA" casting in the engine block.

[MacDragon]

The story I've heard is that the Feds passed a law which said a percentage of all components had to be made in America to have "Made in USA" on the product. All new products (vehicles) introduced after Jan 1 1999 had to qualify. This meant the 2000 models didn't qualify. So up to '99 has the label cast into the block. If some of the '99s don't have it, it's because the casting was changed mid year in order to meet the new regs. BTW: 2000 and newer Harleys don't qualify and no longer say "Made in USA" either. You'll see Millwaukee and American Legend, but no "Made in USA" label.

howdy Sandy! you need to update your memory banks..
I have a 2011 harley electra glide classic,,guess what it says on the left front frame rail? UNION MADE IN THE USA

Yup, The FRAME was... "Union Made in the USA"

[Jess Tolbirt]

The story I've heard is that the Feds passed a law which said a percentage of all components had to be made in America to have "Made in USA" on the product. All new products (vehicles) introduced after Jan 1 1999 had to qualify. This meant the 2000 models didn't qualify. So up to '99 has the label cast into the block. If some of the '99s don't have it, it's because the casting was changed mid year in order to meet the new regs. BTW: 2000 and newer Harleys don't qualify and no longer say "Made in USA" either. You'll see Millwaukee and American Legend, but no "Made in USA" label.

howdy Sandy! you need to update your memory banks..
I have a 2011 harley electra glide classic,,guess what it says on the left front frame rail? UNION MADE IN THE USA

Yup, The FRAME was... "Union Made in the USA"

yea but let me ask you this,, China owns the US right? so the harley can display the made in USA,, now the Valk on the other hand was made in marysville ohio right? so is Ohio a state in the US? jus kiddin guys!!! you know its getting bad when you have to include a disclaimer to let everyone know its a joke...

[JerryH]

I'm probably stepping into a pile of something - but here goes. I believe the following is true after reading a number of acticles about this subject:

"Made in USA" is the only official verbage allowed to designate a product that has enough American manufacured material in it that will allow the use of "Made in USA".  I have seen a number of products that state "Manufactured in the USA"  - that does not have the same meaning as "Made in USA".  Even the use of "Made in the USA" is not the official government logo.

"Union Made in the USA" - simiply means that the product was assembled by union works who live in the USA.

Parts cannot be simply shipped to the USA, assembled in American factories and then add the stamp "Made in USA".

The simplicity of the words are ment to be used as a common designation, such as these labels that are very well known to all of us---- Made in China, Made in Mexico, Made in Cambodia, Made in Vietnam.

Even though we find it simpler to say Made in the USA, that is not the correct verbage.

Am I going to get in trouble for this one.

[czuch]

HECHO EN USA.
I stamped that on a junk HD part I had lounging about in the garage.  I left it in a prominent place whenever a HD friend of mine came over. He picked it up one day and stopped mid-sentance.
It was priceless watching his brain turn.

[rainman]

My 99 I/S has it stamped MADE IN THE USA and so does the 98 Tour

[FloridaValkRyder]

My 99 Interstate has it

Ditto..

[FloridaValkRyder]

I just went and checked too. My 99 I/S has the Made in the USA and was made in 01-99.

[Capt. Morgan]

So where are many of the HD parts made?

NUFF SAID

[sandy]

So where are many of the HD parts made?

Jess Tolbert says his '11 HD says union made in USA. I'm surprised. (Could this refer to the frame?) HD tires are british, wheels now made in Red China, forks and rears shocks made by Showa (Jap company partly owned by Honda) in various plants. Various electronics made in SE Asia. Two weeks before last Christmas, HD laid off 218 workers in Australia that made all HD wheels. They moved the plant to China.

[blastedbugler]

Harley billett wheels were supplied by a manufacturer in Australia.
I dont know if they still do at all.
Don ( Aussie )

[doubletee]

My 99 standard has it

+1  My '99 Std does, too.

[Jabba]

We need to know the MFR dates on these 99's.

I am proposing that the cut off was Feb/March.

The 2-99's have them the 3-99's don't.

Jabba

[Slick]

Can't even find the mfg, date on my 99 IS- where might it be?

[Jess Tolbirt]

So where are many of the HD parts made?

NUFF SAID

compare apples to apples,, if you post a picture of a carburetor of a harley you also need to post a picture of a carburetor of a honda.. they are all made in japan..

also Jerry h said ""Union Made in the USA" - simiply means that the product was assembled by union works who live in the USA.

Parts cannot be simply shipped to the USA, assembled in American factories and then add the stamp "Made in USA". 

that statement is contradictory,,,

[Jabba]

Can't even find the mfg, date on my 99 IS- where might it be?

It's on the VIN plate on the frame neck.  See the pic.



Jabba

[Serk]

Harley billett wheels were supplied by a manufacturer in Australia.
I dont know if they still do at all.
Don ( Aussie )

http://www.rushlane.com/harley-davidson-to-shut-their-wheel-manufacturing-unit-in-adelaide-212-jobless-1225591.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rushlane%2FAmZY+%28Rush+Lane%29

[Slick]

Can't even find the mfg, date on my 99 IS- where might it be?

It's on the VIN plate on the frame neck.  See the pic.



Jabba

Ah Ha-2/99, and stamped USA- Thank you Jabba

[MCRIDER]

The valks were all made in japan and only assembled in Ohio.  If you guys think that any of your valks, either engine or complete bikes, of any year or model were actually made in Ohio, then go to a dealer and ask for any OEM part and see where it was made.  It will say japan.  What honda did was import the individual parts (like the engine parts), assemble them in another building, ship the complete engine to the assembly line and call it Made In U.S.A.  The feds bought it for a while.

[Ice]

My question is, who cares where teh Valk was made? Its still the best damn motorcycle out there....Nuff said

[Willow]

We need to know the MFR dates on these 99's.

I am proposing that the cut off was Feb/March.

The 2-99's have them the 3-99's don't.

It may not be quite that easy.  The engines installed in a bike manufactured in 2/99 my have been assembled of parts cast earlier.  I would propose that the regulation change went into effect prior, but the plant was allowed to finish using its inventory.

[Jess Tolbirt]

The valks were all made in japan and only assembled in Ohio.  If you guys think that any of your valks, either engine or complete bikes, of any year or model were actually made in Ohio, then go to a dealer and ask for any OEM part and see where it was made.  It will say japan.  What honda did was import the individual parts (like the engine parts), assemble them in another building, ship the complete engine to the assembly line and call it Made In U.S.A.  The feds bought it for a while.

i have to disagree with you on this one,,
when the bike engine was made it was made in marysville ohio, the entire engine was made there and every 100th engine was pulled from the line and run at red line for 2 days straight and torn down and checked for wear...even the pistons and block were cast there..
the rest of the bike was made in another town right down the road from there,, i have the honda brochure documenting all this...the only thing that was from another country was the electronics and even at that a lot of it came from fort worth texas...

of course since they moved it all back to japan the parts you order will say made in japan...

this opinon is unbiased because i do ride a harley now..

[Big Ed]

Jess,

That's good news. Any chance you can scan and post that honda brochure?

Thanks...

[Six Guns]

my 99 Interstate does not.     

What is the date of manufacture on it?

Jabba

I'll check when I get home from work today.

[Jess Tolbirt]

Jess,

That's good news. Any chance you can scan and post that honda brochure?

Thanks...

if i can find it when i get home i will,,

it was the one honda put out in 1997 or 8 called "Honda makes a million"

[Jabba]

It's hard to read, but you can see it here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-HONDA-ONE-MILLION-CATALOG-REF-948-/290329792858?hash=item439901115a&item=290329792858&pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&vxp=mtr

Jabba

[f6john]

The valks were all made in japan and only assembled in Ohio.  If you guys think that any of your valks, either engine or complete bikes, of any year or model were actually made in Ohio, then go to a dealer and ask for any OEM part and see where it was made.  It will say japan.  What honda did was import the individual parts (like the engine parts), assemble them in another building, ship the complete engine to the assembly line and call it Made In U.S.A.  The feds bought it for a while.

    I assume you believe what you posted or you would not have done so, but your source of info is incorrect. Quite a few years ago I had finished eating lunch at my favorite Bar-B-Cue place near the local industrial park, and I came outside to see a bunch of asian guys crowded around my bike. As I approached one of them came up to me and explained that they were engineers at a local plant known for making heat transfer products. He informed me that their plant had the contract to build the radiators for the Honda Valkyrie but they had never seen their product installed on the bike. So I know for a fact that at least one part was made right here in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

[Jess Tolbirt]

It's hard to read, but you can see it here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-HONDA-ONE-MILLION-CATALOG-REF-948-/290329792858?hash=item439901115a&item=290329792858&pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&vxp=mtr

Jabba

yep thats the one i have,, and yes,even tho i ride a harley i know that every valk i had was made in the USA right here at home,,while harley at that time was also made in the USA there was a conflict on whos was more Americian,, i believe that 18% of the Honda was made over seas and 20% of the Harley was made over there,,, so there ya have it on my word alone and that you can take to the bank...

[old2soon]

My 1999 I/S manufactured 3/99 DO NOT have made in the U S of A on the engine block. *@$#%^&)(+!  But as someone pointed out-it still be a damn fine motorsickle. Gonna keep her long as i can throw a leg over!! RIDE SAFE.

[Six Guns]

my 99 Interstate does not.     

What is the date of manufacture on it?

Jabba

I'll check when I get home from work today.

Jabba,

  Here you go...........

[jer0177]

my 99 Interstate does not.     

What is the date of manufacture on it?

Jabba

I'll check when I get home from work today.

Jabba,

  Here you go...........

That's odd - my '99 IS (VIN ends in 000505) does have it.  I don't have a pic of the tag handy though, and if I go outside to look at it right now, the dogs will wake up the misses and I won't hear the end of it.   

[Jack B]

Same here my I/S was made 3-99 and does not have the made in USA on it

[BonS]

DOM of 1/99 and I have it.

[MCRIDER]

[


    I assume you believe what you posted or you would not have done so, but your source of info is incorrect. Quite a few years ago I had finished eating lunch at my favorite Bar-B-Cue place near the local industrial park, and I came outside to see a bunch of asian guys crowded around my bike. As I approached one of them came up to me and explained that they were engineers at a local plant known for making heat transfer products. He informed me that their plant had the contract to build the radiators for the Honda Valkyrie but they had never seen their product installed on the bike. So I know for a fact that at least one part was made right here in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
[/quote]

That says it all.  Asian guys.  Another company comes to the U.S. to support honda.  They bring over the parts, assemble them, sell the product to honda, then send the American dollars back home.  But, because they assemble the product here, the feds call it made in the U.S.A.  It's a pity.

[MCRIDER]

It's hard to read, but you can see it here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1996-HONDA-ONE-MILLION-CATALOG-REF-948-/290329792858?hash=item439901115a&item=290329792858&pt=Motors_Manuals_Literature&vxp=mtr

Jabba

I've seen that brochure.  It was made by a public relations (sales) department.  I'm not fool enough to believe any salesman.  I toured the factory in 2000 and saw nothing but crates and pallets and boxes with Made In Japan on them.   That's when I tried my parts department test.  EVERYTHING that I asked for was made in asia.

[Jess Tolbirt]

you can see that brochure again here if you want to.
www.jess2.com/honda

[f6john]

[


    I assume you believe what you posted or you would not have done so, but your source of info is incorrect. Quite a few years ago I had finished eating lunch at my favorite Bar-B-Cue place near the local industrial park, and I came outside to see a bunch of asian guys crowded around my bike. As I approached one of them came up to me and explained that they were engineers at a local plant known for making heat transfer products. He informed me that their plant had the contract to build the radiators for the Honda Valkyrie but they had never seen their product installed on the bike. So I know for a fact that at least one part was made right here in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

That says it all.  Asian guys.  Another company comes to the U.S. to support honda.  They bring over the parts, assemble them, sell the product to honda, then send the American dollars back home.  But, because they assemble the product here, the feds call it made in the U.S.A.  It's a pity.
[/quote]


      I think I perfer that to AMERICAN companies closing AMERICAN plants and shipping the jobs to Mexico, China, or other eastern country and then sending us back the product to buy with our American dollars. The Asian guys were the engineers but the plant workers and machinists are all American. I think I am right when I say that Toyota in Georgetown Kentucky has there own engine foundry right here in Kentucky, of course I don't know if they ship the aluminum from Japan or not. Would that mean that the engines aren't made in the USA? I also know that when BMW started making the Z4 in the US they also have a foundry for casting the engines here too. Compare that to the Buick Regal sold to us here, assembled in a factory in Germany with major components from China and Mexico.

[sheets]

My '99 Tourer (CA Model) was made in 10/98 . . . "cast" in aluminum . . . Made In USA. 
OEM passenger seat has it printed on there also. 
Yrmv,

[westsidevalk]

My 99 Tourer has the stamp too

[MCRIDER]

     The Asian guys were the engineers but the plant workers and machinists are all American.
[/quote]

That's the problem.  All the higher paying jobs in the asian factories are held by asians.  The lower paying jobs are all American workers.  The asians love to go to depressed areas of the U.S. and find people willing to work for anything.

Buying from American companies will keep the money here.  That is always the better alternative.

[fudgie]

     The asians love to go to depressed areas of the U.S. and find people willing to work for anything.

And this is a bad thing?