1969: Harley merges with American Machine and Foundry
#41
09-02-2009, 10:37 AM
I used to sit in junior high school daydreaming about riding a new Harley Z-90, or, a bigger dream, a new SR-100. Then, for my birthday, my dad surprised me with a new 1974 AMF Harley-Davidson Baja SR-100. All my friends had bigger Japanese dirt bikes and Hodaka Combat Wombats which could run circles around me, but it just didn't matter because I had a shiny new black bike that said Harley on the side; this is the bike set the hook. Sometimes, when I think about how that little AMF dirt bike had such an impact on me when I was a kid, literally starting a lifelong passion, I can't help but wonder if the HD company of today shouldn't have a line of small bikes. Perhaps if they did, like AMF, offer a line of smaller bikes, the future of the company would be far more secure as once again young boys, and girls now, would be able to dream of riding a Harley sooner, in their youth, rather than much later, when they are grown-up. Thousands of hooks would be set at an early age, as in the days of AMF, and these hooks are powerful happy memories; just ask anyone who received a Lionel train when they were a kid.
I am grateful for the AMF years, the bikes they produced, the boyhood dreams they helped come true, and the lifelong passions they helped begin.
I will climb down off of my box now.
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I am grateful for the AMF years, the bikes they produced, the boyhood dreams they helped come true, and the lifelong passions they helped begin.
I will climb down off of my box now.
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#42
09-02-2009, 12:58 PM
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Where is the oil stain, 
Seriously, She looks brand new! Great Find there.
I wonder how many 1978 Suzuki TM75's are still around.
Seriously, She looks brand new! Great Find there.
I wonder how many 1978 Suzuki TM75's are still around.
Last edited by SLP24; 09-02-2009 at 01:01 PM.
#43
09-02-2009, 01:39 PM
I had several AMF Harleys and never had a major issue with any of them. People would ask me what the AMF stood for. I'd just tell them, Adios M***** F***** and take off.
#44
09-02-2009, 02:53 PM
I had the same bike in 78, still wish I had it. Don't see many of them in stock form anymore.
Put 6k on the bike and only had one problem, everybody and their brother wanted to steal it.
Put 6k on the bike and only had one problem, everybody and their brother wanted to steal it.
#45
09-02-2009, 04:08 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
My first harley was an 1982 commemorative low rider...great bike..bought new..followed the amf good/bad arguement and decided to wait a year and get one without the amf label on it...bikes didnt change from 1981 to 1982...just didnt have the amf sticker on the gas tank...think i paid 5650.00 for it...in the crate...
#46
09-02-2009, 04:42 PM
My first harley was an 1982 commemorative low rider...great bike..bought new..followed the amf good/bad arguement and decided to wait a year and get one without the amf label on it...bikes didnt change from 1981 to 1982...just didnt have the amf sticker on the gas tank...think i paid 5650.00 for it...in the crate...
That's a great price. My 1980 Low Rider was $5,995.00 out the door.
#47
09-02-2009, 05:42 PM
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I'm right there with you on this one buddy! The first Harley I rode at 12 years old was a 1970 Baja 100 my dad had. Loved that bike!! I'm 48 now and a couple years back I found this and had to have it. Took me 2 years to find one and when my search was over, it was less than 50 miles from my house.
#48
09-02-2009, 05:56 PM
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Came home from hunting Little People at the end of '69. Had a brand new 70 FLH waiting for me that I had paid cash for. Within 2 months the left front case motor mount busted. Took it back to Sam Arena HD on Monterey Rd In San Jose Kali. They looked at me and blew it off and gave me a sh*t-a$$ excuse about how it was not covered. Took it apart to have the case welded and found out the flywheels were so badly out of balance that the motor would never have stayed together. Shared that woth the dealer and they said the warranty was now really blown because I took the motor apart.
Long and short... made the repairs, balanced the motor and sold the bike. By October 79, found my 65 pan in Aromas, Kali. Still have it and ride it hard. So guess I was one of the 50% that got crap due to production failures. Not sorry I sold it because the pan has never failed me.
If the opportunity and finances work out I'm going to get another one, either late year AMF or 82-84. Next to a pan, think shovels are the best
Long and short... made the repairs, balanced the motor and sold the bike. By October 79, found my 65 pan in Aromas, Kali. Still have it and ride it hard. So guess I was one of the 50% that got crap due to production failures. Not sorry I sold it because the pan has never failed me.
If the opportunity and finances work out I'm going to get another one, either late year AMF or 82-84. Next to a pan, think shovels are the best
Last edited by panz4ever; 09-02-2009 at 05:57 PM. Reason: Grammar
#49
05-16-2011, 09:29 PM
My first HD was a 1977 AMF XLCH 1000, yeah put a kick on it. I never, repeat never had a major problem with. Rolled out of Sam Arena's Harley on Monterey Rd. in San Jose, Cali.
I agree with you, didn't Apple Computer use that Marketing Technique when they came out (supplying Schools in California Free) and still going strong today.
I agree with you, didn't Apple Computer use that Marketing Technique when they came out (supplying Schools in California Free) and still going strong today.
#50
05-17-2011, 07:12 AM
That was the trend back then. Fender guitars was sold to Columbia Broadcasting System who promptly started ruining it almost exactly like Harley, until it was saved by being bought by the Fender officers and employees. Gibson Guitars was indirectly sold to Norlin Inc. with similar results. Quality went critically to crap in corporate America in the 60's-70's. Winchester firearms went a similar route - back then the college business professors (those who can't, and therefore teach) were apparently teaching them that quality didn't matter as long as cost was minimized. Didn't work out.