Harley Davidson Cafe Racer?

[ProSimex]

ooooo I wanna do that! now i just have to find a featherbed frame and a HD engine.... A bike is a bike, each one does something a little better then the other. If I could get my hands on a HD basket case for free or not much I would be all over it like white on rice.

That being said I'm getting really sick of attitude from the harley crowd on the road. Been thinking of strapping on the old extendo baton and going harley hunting......




P.S. Im not going to do that.

 

[VonYinzer]

"First of all, I think there is a rule that your post can't take up half of the page."

Huh?

"I think the American heritage is important to remember."

Hows the Kool Aid taste? the "American Heritage" is a sales tool. HD doesnt care about heritage. They care about selling bikes, like every other bike company.

"I came across an HD news article yesterday, and it clearly stated that HD's largest market for the Sporty was Japan."

I would like to see this article. Seeing as the US population is 310 million plus, and Japans is about 124 million thats nuts. Not doubting it, just kinda suprised. Especially with how difficult it is to get a MC license in Japan, and how expensive it is to import HDs.

 

[DrJ]

I would like to see this article. Seeing as the US population is 310 million plus, and Japans is about 124 million thats nuts. Not doubting it, just kinda suprised. Especially with how difficult it is to get a MC license in Japan, and how expensive it is to import HDs.

Also, Japanese riders are restricted to 400cc before several years of riding experience is obtained. I too find this statistic suspect.

 

[JRK5892]

It is flat out more than just the bike... it is the name as well... we hit several bike shows a month now that it is warm... last one we brought 6 bikes, custom chopper, my cafe, the brat wing, maria's bobber, green wing, and my harley... what had the most poeple around it, what got themost pictures taken of it, and what spurred on the most stories of when people first fell in love with bikes... my harley. Flat out hands down it is what people are drawn to, love, and tend to "want" the most... i love my HD... will always ride one... will always own one. I would def not say HD ONLY cares about sales... with all the support our troops charities, musuems, cancer charities, yadda yadda yadda... they are a HUGE part of our comunity in my area wiht all the dealerships, put together fund raisers, rides, and bike shows. ALWAYS willing to lend a hand or do their part in any of the cancer runs we put together while other honda and yamaha dealers we have approched to get more people involved in have told us "company policy is to not get involved, we do wish you guys the best" i would say that at least in my area HD is about WAY WAY more than "just selling bikes"

 

[TheChild]

Yes, a business is intended to produce revenue. If "American Heritage" is a sales tool, which it is, I think HD cares quite a bit about it. I feel that the cruiser style of bike grew up here in the states. Harley was one of the companies that started that style and thumbs up to them if they want to ride that wave till the end of time. Whether you agree or not, HD is an iconic American image for the world recognized by biker or not. I work for a multiline jap and Victory dealer. I would buy just about any bike on this floor before a Harley, but I know that every cruiser in this building is here because of that company. They're all v twins for a reason.


I just don't want every one to hate the company because of the people that ride their bikes. Bash their old styling and technology if you want, but don't forget how it's changed the face of motorcycles today. If Honda still produced the CB750 Super Sport, I'd be all over it. They did do a throw back recently with the Shadow RS and somehow it ended up with a V twin motor and a Sportster styled tank...



I'm not going to defend that media article for it's validity, but I'm sure there's some truth in it. I can't remember where I read it, but just look at this: http://www.bikeexif.com/


I'm coming up on half a page now so I'm done. Kool Aid rocks btw.

 

[VonYinzer]

Again... Im not talking bad about HD. Theyre a company with a bottom line like any other. I just dont like the holier than though idea that they promote. Dont tell me to buy American and support America and so on, when as a company you dont do the same. Thats all.

 

[crazypj]

Hell even I've thought about getting a Sporty or a Buell.
1200 Lightening with race kit is actually quite a nice bike and parts are really not that expensive (until you go aftermarket and a bunch of chrome)
OEM stuff is often cheaper than aftermarket (unless you need a crank, around $2,000+)
SV650 crank is around $700 for comparison
I've bored a shitload of 883's to 1200, (HD discontinued 883/1200 pistons and only sell cylinder/piston kit ;D )
modified 883 head is a better basis than a 1200 head for performance (it can be reworked to better spec than a 'squealing beagle' -if you know how )
I would want to fit two front heads and dual carbs though, the 'updraft' system stock is really pretty shit induction system
couple of years ago only 48% was made in USA and sticker said ASSEMBLED in USA.
They went back to 51% so they could say 'MADE IN USA'
Lot of 'bubble head' (V-Rod) stuff was made in France, now, a lot is made in Argentina

 

[Slice]

Wow... Its remarkable how charged this discussion has become. I appreciate HD's and think they have their own respective place in the market; if we 'unlearn' or remove the concept of outlaws riding them, it may make it easier in our heads to appreciate them for what they are. I would personally have no problem riding an HD one day, and I also read the same article as Von did, he is correct that the sportsters largest market is the Japanese market.

Anyways, I think that there are a great number of varying opinions but we can all agree that they have two wheels and we can appreciate that simple fact if nothing else.

 

[VonYinzer]

Really? Are we sure that they werent just saying that the Sportster is the highest selling HD in Japan? They sell a SHIT TON of Sportys in the US.

 

[t71ford]

Remember too that the price and value of the used HD's is not governed by HD at all, but by the private sector consumer base. HD mandates only the original sale price, and evey sale after that is done at the discretion of the seller. That they command such a high resale price after the fact is purely a result of the buying populace's willingness to pay that amount--and absolves HD entirely of the blame. Clearly HD is not the only one that values their bikes so highly. It may be perceived value, but stuff is only worth what the buyer is willing to pay.

 

[VonYinzer]

I get that, and dont disagree in any way. Doesnt change the fact that its more than the bike is worth to me and many others.

I really have nothing against HDs. I feel like I need to keep saying this because those that own them amongst us seem to think everyone is bashing them.

As stated, I just have issue with a company that outwardly discusses how American they are and at the same time is only actually made up of 51% home grown bits. (And as PJ stated, only that many so they could falsely claim that they are "Made in the USA".)

I dont buy Japanese bikes because I hate HDs. I do it because I can afford them and my personal sensibilities tell me that if Im going to spend my money on a vintage bike it should actually be vintage. Not simply behind the times as far as engineering goes.

I have several friends that ride HDs. I dont give them a hard time, and they (usually) dont fuck with my decisions bike wise. Just as I dont give folks here (that I know ride because they love motorcycles, not because they love a fabricated image) actual hard times for owning HDs.

Sure I bust Joes balls, but have you seen those bikes? Hahaha...

Anyhow, I dont know why I keep responding to this thread. Sorry.

 

[platkeyboy]

I like a lively discussion about Harley stigma as much as the next guy, but I thought this was a Harley Cafe thread. To that end, I'll post a few pics that I enjoy--some are re-posts, some aren't, but seeing as how this is the official Harley Cafe thread, I figured this is where they belong. I have withheld some of my favorites because those bikes are 2-strokes and built by Aermacchi, not Milwaukee. I've included the KRTT, because even though it was a factory bike, it's about as "cafe" as they come. The yellow one is a single cylinder by Goldammer Cycles, which began life as a v-twin. The chopped cylinder has been replaced by a supercharger which, if I recall correctly, is driven by a rod which is still connected to the crank on that side. Pretty cool. My personal favorite is the second one down--just really tasteful and classy, in my opinion.
As for some of the idiot Harley riders, their delusions about "American Made," their superiority complex, etc -- I am starting not to care. I have come to peace with the existence of such people--I've been forced to because I enjoy the 45 degree air-cooled pushrod v-twin. It's a free country, and they can feel free to take a stock Harley, make it heavier, shinier, and handle worse, then rev their fuel-injected engines every two seconds as if it keeps them running, then mistreat women, and call me names for riding something different. Conversely, we can take a Harley, strip some (a lot of) weight, make it more powerful and better handling, and possibly even ride it with a helmet on. That's what this thread is all about, right?

I hope this post is long enough--I'm pretty sure I beat Von. If not, I can go back and edit it--I'm sure there are a few dozen more Harley cafe bikes out there on the ol' interweb.

 

[t71ford]

Those bikes are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Like Mike, I am not trying to promote any brand, since I own the gamot as well. I ride what I like, just like most here. I just don't want to see any brand blasted without a little critical thinking into the reasons why. I am like that with anything, and firmly believe that any opinion should be formed only after some in depth discussion and research has been done. And then, your informed opinion matters! ;D

I hope I have not crossed anybody here wrong, that was not my intent!

 

[JRK5892]

love love love love this bike

 

[DrJ]

I can totally appreciated a well built Harley cafe but sometimes things go horribly wrong.

 

[platkeyboy]

I can totally appreciated a well built Harley cafe but sometimes things go horribly wrong.

Oh my. I am no master builder, but... DANG. Every time I scroll up to it, I notice something new. Well, at least it's unique. Ever seen Conan O'brien's "What if they mated" segment? Yeah.

 

[JRK5892]

sad... i dig it! hahaha

 

[VonYinzer]

The funny thing is, most of these bikes have just about no HD parts on them. Especially not the engines. Thats one place where things always get weird with custom HDs. Why spend thousands on a crate motor from Milwaukee when you can buy an S&S knock off thats twice as good?

And ya... That Santiago bike is... unique. Hahaha.

 

[JRK5892]

i work on Rev tech and S&S... i would take a HD twin cam over one any day... any day... def would not say that S&S is a better motor... why do you think that?

 

[VonYinzer]

Honestly based on the number of racers (usually drag racing) Ive talked to that swear by them. Also the number of custom builders who use them. Some of whom Ive spoken with and asked about the motor choices. Im almost always told that for the money, they would go with an S&S. Now, I shouldve stated that I dont have much hands on experience with either the HD or S&S. Im just going by the number of guys who make their living with them (as you do, and youre not the only guy who has said the opposite) that have expressed a dislike for using Factory engines.