Made in U.S.A.

[gabby]

Hello All,
     I was getting my 99 I/S ready for riding season and was curious about something.  The Interstate was made in Marysville, Oh. Jan., Feb., and March of 99,  were any of them stamped with the MADE IN USA or was this discontinued for all the rest (std. Tourer)? I had heared that Honda was told to take this emblem off all the Valkyries.  Check the right side of your Valk to see if yours has it.  Any information would be appreciated.

Gabby

[Valkorado]

My 97 Tourer has the stamp.  My 99 IS doesn't.

[Bighead]

Never noticed but same here. 97 std has it-99 IS Dont.

[Jess from VA]

Due to Harley Davidson successful lobbying (regarding percentage of US parts per bike to keep the stamp), the Made in USA stamp on the block was discontinued in MID-1999 production.

Both my '99 interstates have the stamp.

Of course, all 1500 Valks (except some, or all, made for the Japanese market with a reverse) were in fact made in the USA.  Subsequent 1800 bikes called Valks were not as the Marysville plant is long closed.

[RJC TJC]

We have two 99 interstates and one has it and one does not

[The emperor has no clothes]

My 99 I/S has it. My 01 Standard doesn't. I think this was hashed out a few years ago and it was determined anything with a build date of 02/99 and earlier has it, 03/99 and after does not.

[Savago]

Gabby

Mine I/S 99 has the 'Made in USA' stamp in the engine block.
Photo: https://goo.gl/photos/P1a8aP9DPUDA4Bwx8

Savago

[old2soon]

My 99 I/S has a build date of 3/99 and do NOT have the made in U S of A stamp. Kinda makes me wunder how Harley would make out today with the positions reversed?  RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

My '98 Std has it.

[Jess from VA]

I'm not sure of this (and may be wrong), but it was my impression that at the time ('98-9), Harley was already under the required percentage of US parts and had already had to stop putting Made in USA on their bikes, and they were upset that Honda was allowed to continue to put it on some their US made bikes, so they lobbied for the percent to be raised (high enough) to put a stop to it.  

Remember what preceded this: Harley AMF almost went under for good.  They came out with the Evolution 80" motor and started a comeback, but were still borderline bankrupt for a number of years, and ended up lobbying to get a tariff put on all Japanese heavy bikes successfully under Regan.  Honda was gangbusters all during this period.  The tariff was approved to save an American icon, even though the numbers crunchers concluded that the tariff did more harm than good.  Harley has always been known for employing a lot of lawyers. Bless their hearts.  

http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa032.html

[scooperhsd]

Yes - that Harley tariff is what brought us the sub-700cc ex 750's. Fat lotta good it did Harley - what really saved them was their improving their machines up to the standards of quality that people expected after experiancing the Japanese built bikes.

[hubcapsc]

Remember what preceded this: Harley AMF almost went under for good.

By 92 or so you had to wait in line to pay way too much for any Harley. The
Anderson dealer didn't like my looks and wouldn't sell me one, I had to
buy my 98 Harley from the Greenville dealer...

-Mike

[gabby]

THANKS EVERYONE.  i WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT 3/99 DID NOT HAVE THE U.S.A. STAMP. I always wondered if HD had anything to do with it since they sued Honda for "Sounding like a Harley".  Since when does a Valk sound anything like a Harley.  I know, it was another size but, just saying--Mine sounds like a Porche or someone made a bumblebee mad.  It is awesome.  See ya'll in M'town in June.  I am so excited as this will be my virgin Inzane !!!!

Gabby

[Tx Bohemian]

Not only does my '99 Standard have it but I "enhanced" it a bit.

I painted over it with black and then sanded the high spots so the "Made in the USA" really stands out!!

Much easier for my HD buddies to see it now!!

[MarkT]

All 3 of mine have it - on the casing.  Deerslayer has the OEM pillion with the same script.  A 97 & 2 - 98s.  NYUK NYUK.  I should take a fine brush & add black contrast to the letters. But not on George.

[BobB]

To paint raised letters on such objects, I have cut a block of wood, covered one flat surface with cloth, wetted the cloth with paint and pressed it against the lettering.  It's easy and works like a charm.  I have yet to do it to the "Made in USA" on my '98 Tourer...

[gordonv]

THANKS EVERYONE.  i WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT 3/99 DID NOT HAVE THE U.S.A. STAMP. I always wondered if HD had anything to do with it since they sued Honda for "Sounding like a Harley".  Since when does a Valk sound anything like a Harley.

I was under the impression that it was the Honda Shadow ACE Tourer that sounded too much like the HD, and that was what they where sued over.

[MarkT]

Yep the ACE (American Classic Edition) was made to grab HD market share with a sound nearly identical as it has a single crankpin like a Harley for the potato-potato sound.  They also make 20% less power than the identical Shadow with 2 crankpins.

[RONNIEB]

99 Standard did. 99  interstate doesn't. 2000 Tourer doesn't

[3fan4life]

THANKS EVERYONE.  i WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT 3/99 DID NOT HAVE THE U.S.A. STAMP. I always wondered if HD had anything to do with it since they sued Honda for "Sounding like a Harley".  Since when does a Valk sound anything like a Harley.

I was under the impression that it was the Honda Shadow ACE Tourer that sounded too much like the HD, and that was what they where sued over.

I remember being told that it was the 450 Rebel that Harley sued them over.


The  Shadow ACE  does sound more plausible though.

[3fan4life]

This is the closest to a reputable source that I can find about the topic:

http://articles.latimes.com/2000/jun/21/business/fi-43145

[Momz]

There is a guy (George Benary) on the Valkyrie facebook page that claimed that all Honda's were made in Japan.
He is a HD owner that takes offence to us and the "Made in USA" label.