Posted on 08/04/2010 9:11:36 AM PDT by Bad~Rodeo
It's been quite a ride for Harley-Davidson (HOG). The iconic motorcycle company has been cranking out bikes since 1903, and it's one of only two major motorcycle manufacturers to have survived the Great Depression. The first Harley rolled off the line just one year after the first telegraph cable was laid across the Pacific Ocean, and nowadays you can log on to Harley's website to customize your "Hog" or find a dealer on your smart phone.
But now there's a rough road ahead for the company. The plant that cranks out Harley's choppers in Milwaukee may finally be at its breaking point after more than a century, with labor costs threatening to shutter the facility and end 107 years of tradition.
According to reports, Harley-Davidson warned employees in April that it would move its Wisconsin manufacturing operations if it could not cut millions of dollars from its production costs. That would mean the bikes known as "Milwaukee Iron" may have to get another nickname very soon.
Harley's CEO told The Associated Press the company will reach a decision on relocation within a month or two. Harley execs aren't necessarily going to leave the United States and are reportedly scouting out American locales outside of Wisconsin. There's also
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.moneycentral.msn.com ...
Yes, the citizens can vote for President, but they would no longer have voting Congressional representation. Now THAT represents a huge possibility for the rest of the country. No Pelosi, no Boxer, ..... As I remember, it was California representatives that urged the EPA to shut down irigation to the farmers in the central valley region, in favor of the smelt.
You are probably right. It was a good looking machine. If I were looking to buy such a thing, I would look at it.
Colorado would be a great place especially if we can get rid of the democrats in the state house !
IIRC there’s only one harley davidson plant in teh milwaukee area, and that’s wawatusa. this is an engine only plant and they don’t do final assembly.
a ‘customized bike’ is, by definition NOT a HD.
my thoughts exactly.
Yeah, I’m one of them, though I owned an 83 Honda Magna rather than a harley (because harleys cannot handle and they cost more than $1500).
But my daughter and her husband in SD are huge harley fans, as is my internal client (she’s abot 35), who got the bug from her boomer dad.
I prefer something smoother and may be going for something like a Shadow when we get settled in Kentucky.
California reverts to territory status. I like it.
But only with a conservative Congress.
Harley ping
My dream bike is a Japanese-engineered 650cc vertical twin with '60s cafe racer looks.
I get a kick out of the t-shirt they wear that reads: “I’d rather see my sister living in sin than see my brother on a Jap bike.”
Cerdo Harlito
Yeah, I loved The Honeymooners. ;)
Exactly. As far as I rememberthereare only 2 Harley factories one in Wi and then York Pa.Neither produces choppers.
according to HD’s web site, there are four plants in the USA.
lol. That's because you saw him through new eyes. 8~)
“a ‘customized bike’ is, by definition NOT a HD”
Harley Custom Vehicle Operations:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/cvo.html
thanx for the link, but what you’re showing are harleys ‘customized’ with harley accesories. most people think third party accessories when they think custom.
kinda like getting a ford mustang with the ford hood scoop, and saying it’s customized. it might be fancier than the standard, but it isn’t what many would call custom.
I do take your point tho...
Harley Davidson, come on down!
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37642856/CNBC_s_Top_States_For_Business_2010_And_The_Winner_Is_Texas
- JP
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