Willie G. Davidson retires after 49 years...
#111
My problem is with him out of the way, will it now be run by the bean counters and suits?
No one left who this company actually means something to?
Is this why more and more parts are made overseas?
Will it mean to maximize profits the bikes will eventually be made in china?
Scouser
No one left who this company actually means something to?
Is this why more and more parts are made overseas?
Will it mean to maximize profits the bikes will eventually be made in china?
Scouser
#112
Was it the Motor Company or EPA who put Willie G. to pasture? Reason I ask is I once read a quote from him stating, "I'll never build a water cooled bike with classic styling."
#116
Bit by bit, all the old relics and ideas from the old Harley days are being let go. It is no longer enough to have a bunch of old farts like myself buy their over priced, black, dinosauer motorcycles whos lack of adequate mufflers rattle the windows and the ire of normal people. So long Willie. Welcome to full retirement and have a good life. See ya at the picnic.
#119
My first new HD was the 1978-early FXRS (bought it in San Angelo TX while in military), and 120,000 miles in 4 years later, only tires, chains, buckhorn bars, and a 2-inch set of drag pipes was all she ever needed. Except for the paint on the gas tank, which Willie personally replaced himself. I happened to meet Willie G in 1979, as he and a band of 10-12 of his entourage pulled into Key West, FL (he didn't have GPS back then, and besides, who could pass-up on a chance to ride the old Keys Hwy while down in Florida and on his way to Daytona Bike Week!). He asked the local HD shop (unauthorized no less!) if anyone was having any problems with their bikes, so he pointed to me. So, I walked him outside to my bike, showed him a glaring flaw in the gas tank paint job (bubbles in the color and clearcoat), so he jotted down my info, said he'd send me new tanks, and only asked that I ship the old ones back to him for further analysis. Two weeks later, the tanks were on, and I was a happy HD camper from then on! You won't see that from any other vehicle manufacturer today!
In 2010, I got a second chance to meet Willie again in Detroit when he received his award for his many fruitful years in the design industry out at the Ford House on the shores of Lake St Clair. About 300 riders - with cop escorts through every city along the way - rode with Willie from ABC Harley of Waterford to the Concourse d'Excellence event. They even had a good historical compliment of HD motorcycles on display that ranged from around 1911 to (then) present, and with over 300 customs just outside the main entrance, it was one great start of the retire send off that Willie truly deserves (oh, and his daughter is pretty hot too!!!)
In 2010, I got a second chance to meet Willie again in Detroit when he received his award for his many fruitful years in the design industry out at the Ford House on the shores of Lake St Clair. About 300 riders - with cop escorts through every city along the way - rode with Willie from ABC Harley of Waterford to the Concourse d'Excellence event. They even had a good historical compliment of HD motorcycles on display that ranged from around 1911 to (then) present, and with over 300 customs just outside the main entrance, it was one great start of the retire send off that Willie truly deserves (oh, and his daughter is pretty hot too!!!)
#120
Good luck Willie with your retirement you deserve it .
Lets not forget Willie was instermental in the Street Glide as well.
Skulls are only for those of use that can pull them off not just your average ******
Lets not forget Willie was instermental in the Street Glide as well.
Skulls are only for those of use that can pull them off not just your average ******