Is it true that Kawasakis are American made motorcycles?

[W-P Bill]

Originally Posted by zoro

Hey man,Evil Knievel rode a "Jap Bike" Too....LOL!

Really? What kind?

[jtcbx]

Originally Posted by steell

It's real simple, people want to go riding with their buddies from work or where ever, and their buddies ride Harleys, so they buy one to fit in.

Nothing wrong with it, that's just the way things work.

I'm a $500 bike man myself

Yup! What harley riders, in the eye of my mind, used to represent, were throwbacks to what this country once represented. So, what I perceive as the classic or 'true-to-form' bikers, as they say, can't afford harleys. Only the people that the bikers used to scare can afford them now.

[apbling]

I guess you got a point... I just really would like the fat bob or a softtail, but I don't have 16k... But then I look at some of the Vulcans (esp. the sweet looking mean steak red/black one) and they are considerably cheaper.

[zoro]

Originally Posted by W-P Bill

Really? What kind?

AMF Sportster

[W-P Bill]

Originally Posted by zoro

AMF Sportster

Which were never made in Japan, as far as I can tell. See my previous post on this.

Once again I ask:

Do you have a source or reference? If AMF Sportsters were indeed made in Japan, this is critical information I would like to have at hand.

Since I'm asking you for sources, here are some non-HD sources covering the AMF years. While Italian production (Ameracchi), sourcing of parts from Japan, and copying Japnese production/management processes are all mentioned, no mention whatsoever of AMF production in Japan. Just the Rikuo production under license.

http://www.plu.edu/~collinel/doc/harley-davidson.pdf

Lean In Hard Times

Harley Davidson: Defeating the Japanese and Riding Off into the Sunset - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Harley-davidson Motorcycle History: History of Harley-davidson

[W-P Bill]

And some sites from Japan. I don't normally use Wikipedia as a reputable source, but in this case I figure if anyone in Japan knew AMF Harleys were produced in their country, they would jump on wiki and make it known. No such mention. Just the Rikuo's.

‚s‚ˆ‚… History of Harley-Davidson ƒn[ƒŒ[ƒ_ƒrƒbƒhƒ\ƒ“‚Ì—ðŽj

ハーレーダビッドソン - Wikipedia

ƒn[ƒŒ[‚Ì—ðŽj”N•\/ ‘æ3Í ƒVƒ‡ƒxƒ‹ƒwƒbƒh’a¶‚ÆAMFŽP‰ºŽž‘ã [1957”N`1984”N]

[zoro]

Originally Posted by W-P Bill

Which were never made in Japan, as far as I can tell. See my previous post on this.

Once again I ask:

Do you have a source or reference? If AMF Sportsters were indeed made in Japan, this is critical information I would like to have at hand.

Since I'm asking you for sources, here are some non-HD sources covering the AMF years. While Italian production (Ameracchi), sourcing of parts from Japan, and copying Japnese production/management processes are all mentioned, no mention whatsoever of AMF production in Japan. Just the Rikuo production under license.

http://www.plu.edu/~collinel/doc/harley-davidson.pdf

Lean In Hard Times

Harley Davidson: Defeating the Japanese and Riding Off into the Sunset - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

Harley-davidson Motorcycle History: History of Harley-davidson

Hi Bill, I dont have any reference material to back-up my claim, only a faltering memory. In fact, your information sounds spot on because my first motorcycle was an Italian made 125cc 2-stroke Harley Davidson. This was back in 1973 or so. I do know this, if AMF had not taken control of HD when it did, HD may vary well have collapsed and ceased to exist as we know them today. My X wife still works for HD and Ill see if I cant find a site or some conclusive information as to what exactly happened during the 70s. The Kansas City plant has stopped production but has not closed its doors as of yet,they laid off 400 line personnel indefinitely, my youngest daughter was one. I made those previous comments in jest,and meant no disrespect to you or anyone. Evil Knievel did ride an AMF Harley Davidson, where they were assembled I not not know. In 1972, I really liked the FMX1200, It sold for $2,400 brand new! Today that bike would sell for $24,000! Is it any wonder why our economy is faltering!

[W-P Bill]

No worries! Its still a good story. Be cool if it were true, though. If it were, I would definitely have to go out and buy one to match my cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I tried to find a decent Rikuo while I was in Japan, but they are too gosh darned expensive.

Heck, Triumph now makes its bikes in Thailand, most of the Japanese bike manufacturers have plants sprinkled throughout Asia. Mostly noodle bikes and other local market specific models for now, but wasn't there a post earlier about how Kawasaki was going to move its major motorcycle production line from Japan to somewhere in SE Asia?

HD is supposed to be considering closing down York and shifting production elsewhere. Probably to some other state in the US, but I wouldn't discount Canada or Mexico just yet. There's always the "Assembled in the USA" trick. Who knows...

[W-P Bill]

A gratuitous Rikuo pic:



And another:

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by zoro

if AMF had not taken control of HD when it did, HD may vary well have collapsed and ceased to exist as we know them today.

Well... it still ceased to exist as it was known, and what we know today is a far cry from what it was in 1973 (much for the better).

My X wife still works for HD and Ill see if I cant find a site or some conclusive information as to what exactly happened during the 70s.

I think a lot of us are trying to forget what happened during the 70s.
AMF/Harley
CBS/Fender/Rodgers/Rhoads
Norlin/Gibson
GM's "Corporate Engine"
The "K-Car"/"World" car
Disco
Jimmy Carter

It was a horrible decade for motor vehicles and musicians.

[zoro]

Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Z1s were products of the 70s, I guess it depends on where you were at,what you were doing,and where you came from. You can blame me for the "Farmer",but I didnt have anything to do with "Bonzo"

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by zoro

Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and the Z1s were products of the 70s, I guess it depends on where you were at,what you were doing,and where you came from. You can blame me for the "Farmer",but I didnt have anything to do with "Bonzo"

Nahh... Granted their popularity boomed in the 70s, but Floyd started in '65. Dark Side was '73 and things didn't start going to hell until after '75.
Zep started in '68 and they already had two albums out before 1970... Seems almost like they were winding down by '74... and with "Presence" and "In Through the Out Door" in the late 70s... seemed to kinda follow the general direction of everything else going to hell in the 70s

Z1's? They may have been made here, but they were still from a Japanese company.
It was primarily American companies/products that really took a crap in the 70s.... and Disco was also American (Abba wasn't Disco )

I liked Bonzo and we need another one. Sadly, aren't going to find one in the Republican party anymore.

[zoro]

Hey Rich, Help me out here, please! How in the hell do you post a pic on this forum? As you can see, I was able to post an avatar and my profile pic, but not in a thread collum. What am I missing?

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by zoro

Hey Rich, Help me out here, please! How in the hell do you post a pic on this forum? As you can see, I was able to post an avatar and my profile pic, but not in a thread collum. What am I missing?

Within the body of the message, as an example I'll use your profile pic:

{img}http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/avatars/avatar50993_1.gif{/img}

But use [ ] instead of { }.

You do have to have the image hosted on a publicly available server that allows remote linking such as Photobucket. I have mine on either Photobucket or my personal web space at my ISP.

An alternative, you can upload a limited number of pictures directly from your computer, but they show in the message as attachments at the bottom, not as a full-sized image in the body of the message.
To use this, you can't use the "quick reply" button... you have to be in "advanced" editing mode. Scroll the screen down below the "preview/submit" buttons, and in the next section you'll see "Manage Attachments"... click that and it'll open a popup where you can select an image to upload.

[W-P Bill]

Originally Posted by zoro

Hey Rich, Help me out here, please! How in the hell do you post a pic on this forum? As you can see, I was able to post an avatar and my profile pic, but not in a thread collum. What am I missing?

Hopefully this means you'll post up a large pic of your bike? Judging from your avatar, its a stunner.

[zoro]

Originally Posted by W-P Bill

Hopefully this means you'll post up a large pic of your bike? Judging from your avatar, its a stunner.

Im tring bill,the Mods have my IMG coding off,my smilies are off and are my computer skills are way off! Theres a larger image of "Baby Doll" in my profile!

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by zoro

Im tring bill,the Mods have my IMG coding off,my smilies are off and are my computer skills are way off! Theres a larger image of "Baby Doll" in my profile!

The mods have it shut off? That's strange.

Anyways... ya, SWEET baby doll!

[zoro]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

The mods have it shut off? That's strange.

Anyways... ya, SWEET baby doll!

Smartazz!......Thanks Rich!!! That pic was taken last summer in Springfield,Missouri at Lamberts,"Home of the Throwed Rolls". The cafe fairing and Shindy stabilizer are off the bike at the time.

[W-P Bill]

BEAUTIFUL! Very well done bike, Zoro.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

and Disco was also American (Abba wasn't Disco )

ABBA also wasn't American.