Willie G. Davidson retires after 49 years...
#41
03-16-2012, 08:55 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Just joking that they may want to retire too. Despite several "issues" that have arisen, I think we owe Willie G a real debt of gratitude. For every complaint I have had about the MoCo, I could always come up with MANY, MANY more positives.
#42
03-16-2012, 08:55 PM
Club Member
Too many self-styled individuals out there with statements too far beyond box....You guys missed the whole point and pity will surround your remains!
#43
03-16-2012, 09:10 PM
Congratulations Willie! I had the chance to **** next to him in the bathroom at a rest stop only to learn who he was as a boy. I ran out to my dad and his buddies all excited. Willie was nice enough to come with me and meet the crew. An outstanding man. Was polite and took the time to talk with everyone. A pat on the head and away he went. I'll never forget that.
#44
03-16-2012, 09:15 PM
I guess someone saw the movie Free Willie [G].
Willie G exemplified everything that was right and everything that was wrong with the Motor Company. On one hand he helped architect the resurrection of the Harley Davidson brand. On the other hand he also made the brand a characture of itself. I believe that Willie G's retirement is an indication of some substantial changes. My guess would be the expansion of the Revolution engine to several model lines. There have been mock ups of a smaller displacement version of the engine in an entry level model. A water cooled touring (sport/touring?) model could be another option. Maybe down the line the water cooled engines replace the air cooled V-Twin engines.
I think the retirement of Willie G is necessary to move the Moco forward. For the better or for the worse? Who's to say?
Willie G exemplified everything that was right and everything that was wrong with the Motor Company. On one hand he helped architect the resurrection of the Harley Davidson brand. On the other hand he also made the brand a characture of itself. I believe that Willie G's retirement is an indication of some substantial changes. My guess would be the expansion of the Revolution engine to several model lines. There have been mock ups of a smaller displacement version of the engine in an entry level model. A water cooled touring (sport/touring?) model could be another option. Maybe down the line the water cooled engines replace the air cooled V-Twin engines.
I think the retirement of Willie G is necessary to move the Moco forward. For the better or for the worse? Who's to say?
Last edited by baka1969; 03-16-2012 at 09:18 PM.
#45
03-16-2012, 09:15 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
The Davidson Family is still involved with the company...his son Bill and his daughter Karen for two.
#46
03-16-2012, 09:15 PM
Tourer
Just think, if it was not for Willie, we could all still be riding AMF Harley's. 
Thanks Willie, enjoy your retirement.
Thanks Willie, enjoy your retirement.
#48
03-16-2012, 09:23 PM
Im glad I got mine before they come out with new models that look like jap bikes or move production to china, or sell to the japs, or liquid cool them, or whatever horrendous things they will do now to just make a buck.
#49
03-16-2012, 09:27 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Willie G. has long served as ambassador of Harley-Davidson at rallies around the world – meeting riders, talking to customers, lending his famous signature to jackets, and setting an example of being close to the customer that has become one of the hallmarks of the company.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/16/434...#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/16/434...#storylink=cpy
He got most of the new design ideas from other people's mods.
Real nice guy though- really passionate about bikes.
#50
03-16-2012, 09:29 PM
Club Member
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I guess someone saw the movie Free Willie [G].
Willie G exemplified everything that was right and everything that was wrong with the Motor Company. On one hand he helped architect the resurrection of the Harley Davidson brand. On the other hand he also made the brand a characture of itself. I believe that Willie G's retirement is an indication of some substantial changes. My guess would be the expansion of the Revolution engine to several model lines. There have been mock ups of a smaller displacement version of the engine in an entry level model. A water cooled touring (sport/touring?) model could be another option. Maybe down the line the water cooled engines replace the air cooled V-Twin engines.
I think the retirement of Willie G is necessary to move the Moco forward. For the better or for the worse? Who's to say?
Willie G exemplified everything that was right and everything that was wrong with the Motor Company. On one hand he helped architect the resurrection of the Harley Davidson brand. On the other hand he also made the brand a characture of itself. I believe that Willie G's retirement is an indication of some substantial changes. My guess would be the expansion of the Revolution engine to several model lines. There have been mock ups of a smaller displacement version of the engine in an entry level model. A water cooled touring (sport/touring?) model could be another option. Maybe down the line the water cooled engines replace the air cooled V-Twin engines.
I think the retirement of Willie G is necessary to move the Moco forward. For the better or for the worse? Who's to say?