Valkyrie made in usa

[hal47]

Does anyone know why the words made in usa were removed from engine casings,I know it was changed in the later part of 99.

[Skinhead]

I believe it had to do with the content law, a certain percentage of the parts had to be made in the US, and Honda fell below it, as did HD.

[MarkT]

I believe it had to do with the content law, a certain percentage of the parts had to be made in the US, and Honda fell below it, as did HD.

I'm recalling this was due to a change in the law, not a change to the content percentages.  I'm sure a google expert could find the actual evidence - I'm too busy and too lazy.

[sugerbear]

if you care to wade through it here it is.  i think

http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus03-complying-made-usa-standard

[Fudd]

In December 1997 The Federal Trade Commission changed the standard to "all or virtually all" of a product had to be made in USA to bear that label.  I THINK before then, it was 51%, seem like I read that somewhere, but can't find supporting documents as to that right now.

Complying with the Made in USA Standard


Introduction

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is charged with preventing deception and unfairness in the marketplace. The FTC Act gives the Commission the power to bring law enforcement actions against false or misleading claims that a product is of U.S. origin. Traditionally, the Commission has required that a product advertised as Made in USA be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. After a comprehensive review of Made in USA and other U.S. origin claims in product advertising and labeling, the Commission announced in December 1997 that it would retain the "all or virtually all" standard. The Commission also issued an Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims to provide guidance to marketers who want to make an unqualified Made in USA claim under the "all or virtually all" standard and those who want to make a qualified Made in USA claim

[fordmano]

yep my 99 I/S has it on the block and I love to show it off to the Harley guys that say their bike is made in America and why do I ride a rice rocket.... then I ask them to double check every part they buy and they seem surprised how much of those lovely USA made Harley's are made elsewhere.

[Davet261]

Where exactly is the block stamped made in america?  I have a 98 tourer and cant remember ever seeing it.  The company I used to work for (until a couple years ago) built the paint shop for the valk.  I have been in the plant many times, its something to see one actually being built......

[Bone]

I rode to the Honda factory in 98. They had the open house there for the GWRRA. I had a 85 Aspencade then not knowing I would later own a 98 Valkyrie. My current bike was being assembled then and I didn't know it at the time 
Pretty neat seeing them roll off the line, GW and Valkyries. They hook each one to a Dyno ? and run them through the gears doing several post assembly tests.

[Tim H]

Where exactly is the block stamped made in america?  I have a 98 tourer and cant remember ever seeing it.  The company I used to work for (until a couple years ago) built the paint shop for the valk.  I have been in the plant many times, its something to see one actually being built......

On the engine block by your right footpeg.

[ShiftHappens]

Does any one know the % USA content of the Valkyrie? It would be interesting to compare that to HD.

[Patrick]

It seems I remember seeing figures of between 63 and 72% vs 47 to 53 % for the HD.. Try telling a Harley owner that his bike contains some Honda parts and see what happens..

[Fudd]

yep my 99 I/S has it on the block and I love to show it off to the Harley guys that say their bike is made in America and why do I ride a rice rocket.... then I ask them to double check every part they buy and they seem surprised how much of those lovely USA made Harley's are made elsewhere.

Show 'em this too.  Damn Jap crap!

[Tx Bohemian]

Does any one know the % USA content of the Valkyrie? It would be interesting to compare that to HD.

When you say "the % USA content" are you asking of the parts produced here in the US or what is assembled (like the bike)?

This is a really interesting topic.  I know a couple of HD "owners" I can use this info on.

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile: Flat black the "made in America" and sand over the letters to bring the aluminum out so it will stand out more.

[Bone]

[Fudd]

Does any one know the % USA content of the Valkyrie? It would be interesting to compare that to HD.

When you say "the % USA content" are you asking of the parts produced here in the US or what is assembled (like the bike)?

This is a really interesting topic.  I know a couple of HD "owners" I can use this info on.

I've been thinking about doing this for awhile: Flat black the "made in America" and sand over the letters to bring the aluminum out so it will stand out more.

I think that's  another designation altogether:  "Assembled in USA."

[hal47]

I would like to thank everyone for their input on this subject. I have enjoyed reading all of the posts.
All the 99's I have seen have made in USA on them. However mine is a 2000 with build date of Aug. 1999.
And it does not have it on there. Thanks again everyone.

[Davet261]

I am "American Proud" the Valkrie is made in the USA but in all reality I'd still bought it if it was built in BFE, its one h#ll of a motorcycle...............

[Dirty Dave]

I've got a 97 Std and a 99 I/S in my garage and unfortunately these Canadian models don't have the "Made in USA"  stamp om 'em. Rats!

[JerryH]

I have a 97 standard:  Made in USA  is printed on the VIN plate on the forks and also on the Engine block  (right side).

[Chrome]

Hey Dirty Dave

I've got a 97 Std and a 99 I/S in my garage and unfortunately these Canadian models don't have the "Made in USA"  stamp om 'em. Rats!

Just checked my Canadian Valkyries and my 98 Tourer and 99 I/S does have "Made in USA" stamped on the block just below the dipstick but my 01 I/S does not.

Adrian

[Dirty Dave]

Well, there's always the back of the passenger seat on the 97. It has a new block without a complete serial number. Shoulda caught that when I bought her in 2003. I'll bore you with the story if y'all want.

[Chrome]

Hey Dave Sure thing . Post away.
Adrian

[Tropic traveler]

All 3 of ours say it!


The beginning digit of the VIN # on most any vehicle will tell you the country of assembly.
1= USA
2= Canada
3= Mexico
J= Japan
There are more but these are most common.
The Ford Transit Connect mini work vans are made in Turkey! I think the VIN begins with N on those. 

[Dirty Dave]

In 2003 after shopping around for a Valk, I came across a mint (showroom) 97 with 600 miles on her.
Turns out it was sold new in 99 after sitting in a showroom for a coupla years. The owner managed to break the crankshaft and returned the bike to the dealer where it sat for years until the repair was done. Improper storage resulted in a rusted out gas tank interior and carbs that didn't run quite right, not to mention cracked vacuum hoses. None of this was mentioned to me as I had stars in my eyes after finding such a pristine Valkyrie.

The clue that I missed was the partial serial # on the engine block. Honda must have a prefix and then add the rest of the number later at the factory.

End of story is that I have restored her to perfect condition and have over 50,000 miles on her without problem, thanks largely to you guys.

[tmfp]

My 97 is Red and White. The casing is stamped "Made in USA"   H  A

Made a 1% friend laugh his socks off.

[cajundood]

Upon inspection i found that my 98 has it. Definitely gonna flat balck it and lightly sand the letters......OH YEAH BABY. And I'm gonna show every HD owner i can find.

[Big Rig]

Two years ago I went to the HD Plant in York Pa, I did the tour, I always enjoyed the auto plant tours. As I walked thru with my buddies that ride HD's, I was happy to point out the component boxes on the shop floor with made in Japan, Mexico, Germany and China. seems almost every stations along the line had component boxes labled this way. I found it sort of humorous, my buddies not soo much.  Not bashing, just saying...was not aloud to take pics during the tour.

[tmfp]

It's this global economy that we are supposed to be grateful for, that's to blame.
Triumph is a classic Brit bike name, in the same league for national identity as H-D is for the US, and is making very popular bikes at the moment.
Drivetrains, frames, forks and tinware are made in their three factories in Thailand. A friend with a Rocket 3 had his back tyre changed and the plastic dust cover (like on the Valk) was damaged by the fitter. He contacted Triumph for a replacement and was quoted $1,800 for a whole final drive unit.
He explained he only needed a circle of plastic and was told that Triumph do not have access to the constituent parts of the final drive, only the entire unit.

[Momz]

I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with several Harlely Heads and after seeing the casting on my 98 motor, they came to the conclusion that it was nothing but a russ. They also concluded that there was never a M/C plant in OH. They claim it was a cheap marketing ploy.

Like the saying goes "Ya can't fix stupid".

[old2soon]

I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with several Harlely Heads and after seeing the casting on my 98 motor, they came to the conclusion that it was nothing but a russ. They also concluded that there was never a M/C plant in OH. They claim it was a cheap marketing ploy.

Like the saying goes "Ya can't fix stupid".

So if the truth was a baseball bat and you beat them about the head and shoulders they still wouldn't get it?? Heres yer sign. RIDE SAFE.

[lucky_1_chris]

My '99 I/S doesn't have the stamp. Just the HA. Built in 3/99.

[Hedgehog]

Seems like splitting hairs to me - re the percentages.

I always think of this as as a quintessentially American bike, despite it being a Honda. Whatever it says on the bike I'll always think of it as 'Made in the USA' (in the best possible way it seems to represent some of the better things about America and what it means).

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Valkyrie F6C Promotion video

[Davet261]

I have had the opportunity to discuss this matter with several Harlely Heads and after seeing the casting on my 98 motor, they came to the conclusion that it was nothing but a russ. They also concluded that there was never a M/C plant in OH. They claim it was a cheap marketing ploy.

Like the saying goes "Ya can't fix stupid".

Like I said somewhere in one of these posts (dont know if it was this one or not) the company I worked for built the paint shop for the Valkyrie.  I sure seem to have spent a lot of time in a place that never existed in Marysville OH...........

[Rumpole]

I love it that my 97 Valk has "Made in USA" stamped across the back of the pillion seat. Keeps those HD riders in their box!