Blockhead.

[Guest]

I've noticed a trend on this and other vintage sites: when a poster includes a list of current rides which includes a harley, it's invariably a later model in a slough of old Jap bikes. Are vintage harleys not as desirable as vintage fours? Are new Japs not considered to be worth spending money on? Are there no vintage harleys to be had?
I'm hoping one of the guilty parties can speak up and sort me out on this.

[Rob S.]

I'd love to own a '70's Sportster - just for the looks, if nothing else. Probably due to my advanced age.

[Guest]

I agree with that. Sportys aren't real harleys though. (Cringing).

[Grimly]

I dunno. Vintage Harleys weren't exactly renowned for handling, and when you look at the spindly frames, you can see why.
For me, the Harley appeal started and ended with the Evo engine - all else before that seemed to fall apart and leak badly, and I don't recall any owner of my acquaintance having a trouble-free ownership - or any single ride, come to that.
Perhaps the Evo was over-hyped too, but it seemed to be better made and reliable and once the market for them settled down a bit, I gave serious consideration to importing an Evo engine and 'box and having a decent-handling frame made by Harris or someone of that ilk. It wouldn't have been cheap, but worthwhile, I think.

[850 Combat]

If by Blockhead you mean EVO, I don't really consider those Vintage. They actually work like real motorcycles, and went out of protection less than 10 years ago. 1997 was the first twin cam year I believe? Designing and tooling up for the EVO was the best thing AMF did for HD (besides not letting them go out of business, which is where they were headed when AMF bought them), and one of the last.

[storm 64]

GSR member "Zim" has one fine vintage Harley Davidson. A 1949 FL Truly a beautiful motorcycle.

[Guest]

By "blockhead" I mean my inability to understand.

[argonsagas]

By "blockhead" I mean my inability to understand.

Well, I may have no knowledge of Harleys to offer (have never been on one) but with the self-effacing attitude you just showed, I am sure you will fit into this forum very well.

Oh.....wait a minute. I just noticed you misspelled Honda..........

[Guest]

Hvonda. Thanks for pointing that out.

[wymple]

Years ago, I questioned a co-worker who belonged to a good sized Harley club. I asked his honest opinion of them. This was before the twin cam stuff, btw. He said that in any given off season, about 1/3 of the bikes were in total engine rebuild. Last time I saw him, as I've retired, he was riding an 1100 Shadow. Didn't want the hassle anymore. My son has a 2004 Sportster 1200, good or bad I like the look and the low seat.

[rwnielsen]

Personally, I like knuckles and pans. If I'm going to ride a lawn tractor it needs to be a classic

[Guest]

Personally, I like knuckles and pans. If I'm going to ride a lawn tractor it needs to be a classic

Agreed.......

[Guest]

I have no opinion on this. Just curious why I never see " 2013 HonKawSuzYam, 1979 flx, 1973 Dumboy wtf, etc" in anyone's ride list.

[1_v8_merc]

I agree, my cousin has a 68 electra-glide, dealer special, it's all original. Man that is a BADASS sounding bike...the torque is insane, much faster then I expected. He tosses it around like a mini-bike, I think he's been around the USA Twice on that bike.

I have no problem with Harleys, it's just the riders that dress hardcore but are actually a ****in software engineer for their day-job or something, ya know...That's when I have a problem...you're putting on a fake persona, trying to be cool. I'd rather talk to someone All Day about their Harley, if they know every Bolt on that bike, rather than someone riding a Jap bike, that bought it fully restored and knows nothing.

[Baatfam]

I agree, my cousin has a 68 electra-glide, dealer special, it's all original.

I had a '68 Electra-Glide for 15 years...Had to restore it and paint it, but it was a fun bike...sold in 2005...


Also had a '78 Sportster for 20 years...sold it about 5 years ago...