I’d like to discuss something that has been a thorn in my side for quite sometime and I believe this is as good a forum as any for me as well as others to vent. It concerns the various parts catalogs from which we purchase parts for our beloved Harleys. Yes, I understand that we live in a “WORLD ECONOMY” {damn am I tired of hearing that phrase}, but I believe that we should be allowed to make an informed choice by knowing where a specific part or component is made and/or the source of the materials used in the manufacture of said products.
Back in the day we new where these products were made {we made most of them ourselves} either by builders who made custom parts in their shops or from the only catalog that I remember at the time “AEE”. Now a days we have multiple catalogs to choose our parts from. It started out that when we looked thru these catalogs we new all the parts were made in the U.S.A then the norm became if it was imported it would say so at the bottom of the part description and everything else was made in the U.S.A . As time went on these parts were being imported more and more so now, if my memory serves me correctly they would now state whether or not they were made in the U.S.A or once again imported on all the parts. Now 99% of all the parts we purchase from these catalogs today are imported and the only a very few parts are made here. Don’t believe me? Take a good look sometime! What I would like to see in these catalogs is for them to tell us where each and every part is made i.e. China {so what else is new} Taiwan, Canada, Italy, Japan, England, etc, etc. so I can decide where I choose to purchase my parts from.
Look at Harley! Hell, I would like to know were all the parts that go on their new bikes come from! Yes, I know that they change vendors from time to time but look at some of their “GENUINE HARLEY DAVIDSON” bulls@*t! 16” rear hoop made in Italy, 21” hoop, made in Japan, reflectors on down tubes and rear fender made in NEWFOUNDLAND. Seems more like a collaboration of the international community than “MADE IN THE U.S.A! So let’s hear it! Where do the parts on your bike come from and lets demand that the catalogs tell us where their parts come from!
Myt my man there's not much we can do.Collaboration between Corporate giants and politicians world wide.The almighty dollar in any version is the bottom line.The rest of the world is finally catching up(so it took'em 100 and some years to expierence the industrial revolution).Hell back near the end of the 70's the metric bolt invasion begun,you might have been still able to buy an american TV,Jap cars and trucks looked like toys.A few companys still take pride in the fact that they make thier own stuff right here in the good old USA,which given the choice I would buy from them even if it costs more.The only thing ever made in Japan was an album by Deep Purple.We are still the greatest country in the world and envyed by all.Proud to be an American, Damn straight!
Yes, HD parts are quite often made abroad as well as most of the stuff outa all the catalogs, nothing we can do about it other than decline to buy and thus, go with-out needed replacement parts...
In most of the cats I deal with, they are proud to say if it's USA made, but prob the other 90% are not...
Is it a prob with me---no,,, I've been using after-market parts for WAY long and VERY few have given me probs... Do I wish it were other-wise and most parts were made here, of course...
The only time I use Genuine HD parts now to build or fix a sickle is if I just happen to have it on the parts shelves at the time or get a better deal on a used HD part...
Like I told Clif recently, my 120" sickle has only 3 HD parts, I told him 2, but then I remembered the mouse-trap is old OEM...
Boy's, It's all in the wording "made in the U.S.A." It should be "put together in the U.S.A." Not much of anything is made here anymore. Just look at toyota,nissan,honda, they have plants all over the country now. Almost all of your wiring harnesses are made in mexico including engine parts ie pistons,cranks ,and so on. Where ever the labor the cheepist it's made there . How else can these CEO'S get ridiculous paychecks!!!! Ye ole saying "Made In The U.S.A. what a sham.... Ask any over the road trucker where it's made you wouldn't believe the answers. Been there done that....
I always get a kick when the die hard wants original HD part installed in my shop. I save the packages so he can read made in taiwan on them they just cost more. I can omly guarantee that I am made in america. We can only keep the dream alive by never selling the soil to a foriegn country. ride free
As i've said previously i very rarely purchase parts from a Harley dealer because i refuse to pay more just because they have the bar and shield stamped in it! That 16" hoop i mentioned? I purchased it at a swap meet, brand new still in the box $50, at the Harley dealer $130. Hub, purchased from Custom Chrome, nice piece but have no idea where it's made. Spokes ahhhhhh made in the U.S.A by Buchanan. Capt, did you ever hear these clowns at the Harley dealers tell customers that they should purchase genuine Harley parts in order for them to fit correctly? Such bulls@*t. I would just like to know where i'm purchasing my parts from.
I like the rest of you buy USA made products when I can. Man, it's getting harder all the time as domestic manufacturers go under trying to compete with slave labor, child labor,etc. operating in countries where they don't have to meet OSHA, EPA, or other requirements. There is a big difference between free trade and FAIR trade. We American workers can build anything as well as or better than anyone anywhere. We don't need protectionism or special favors, just make everyone play by the same rules. Require decent pay, safe conditions, protect children from exploitation etc. and let it be "survival of the fittest." We are still the greatest nation on earth, God bless America.
I read an article once where Hd admitted that they got their parts from the same foriegn manufactures that every after market purchases from. They then went on to justify themselfs by saying they research and test every part to make sure it is up to their quality fit and corrosion and whatever they can to increase its price. I sell what is available Hd or after market than I as an american try to make things right with the customer. A customer can give me more business by word of mouth that any fantasy ad.
Hang in there we are all in this together.
capt80, I couldn't have said it better myself!
I have read the same article on how they buy the same stuff from the same overseas manufacturers. Just look at some of thier mirrors, pegs, and grips then pick up a Kury-Akyn catalog and compair. Hmmmmmm.....!
You also seem to have the same all american spine as we have at our shop too! We will warranty a cheap part even if the vendor won't.
If you respect the customers they will respect you.
This is more of a surprise than it is interesting...
We were in Wal-Mart today and I looked at a Tortilla Warmer----
on the under-side of the cover it said "Made In USA"...
Where's It Made 
Linear Mode
