Probably about 40%.

 

Are you serious? If true that really sucks!

 

If it's any consolation, they're assembled here. lol

 

A hell of a lot more then a Honda is.

Look, all manufactures will buy some parts. Harley, just like GM, Ford and Chrysler do not make things like shocks, they buy them because it is far more cost effective to do so.

If I remembers it right, Harley buys the starters, Fork tubes and shocks, cast rims, tires, light bulbs, wire for the harness's, battery's and Instruments and radio's.

This is no different form anyone else, and it is not to say these Buy in parts are not made here in the US.
The Tires are US made, and I think the Instruments are as well.

 

Almost enough made in the USA.

 

Look at it this way, they take the very best from other countries and combine it with the very best this country has to offer and create a superior motorcycle. I'm sure that's what the MoCo would say.

 

I visit a metal recycling plant a few times a year that's located about an hour from Milwaukee. On time there I saw probably 40 6'x6'x4' bins filled with scrap HD parts from local plants. There was everything from shifter drums to kichstands to axle covers to springer bolts to break arms to forward control mounts to gears to you name it and so forth.

After seeing this, I'd say most of an HD is made here.

 

I am more inclined to believe this. And yes it does matter!

 

At least the heart and soul is made in th USA.
View attachment 45408

 

the only part of a harley that is made in ameerica is the TAX.

 

I dont think anyone realy knows... But I do get pissed when I pick up my GENUINE HARLEY DAVIDSON ACCESSORIES made in taiwan....Geez.... But they can only be sold by a dealer???

 

I think most of the HD bolt on non stock parts or made elsewhere.

 

When I changed my steering head bearings to Timken Bearings the OEM bearings I removed were stamped "MEXICO".

When I changed my brake pads I needed a 12 point 10mm socket.

I'm sure there are many other parts that are sourced out that we may never know about.

My Honda Valkyrie was made by American workers in Canton Ohio however I'm sure it has parts that were made in the US and parts made else where.

We live in a small world and the economy is global in order to stay profitable companies need to bid out products and services, it's just the way it is.

 

you guys a little slow...?

theyve been talking about bringing the metric system to the usa for over 50 years...you can buy american made hardware in metric sizes...

indoor plumbing is getting pretty popular also...you might want to come on out of the "holler" now and then and catch a breath of reality...

 

On the upside...

I knew a guy that worked at a plating shop that did some small trinkets for HD and he said they were the toughest pickiest customer they had. No BS. If they found a bad part the entire pallet got returned. They really scrutinized their work for HD as a supplier. China or US, HD is picky; they know the expectation from us.

 

I knew a guy that worked at a plating shop that did some small trinkets for HD and he said they were the toughest pickiest customer they had. No BS. If they found a bad part the entire pallet got returned. They really scrutinized their work for HD as a supplier. China or US, HD is picky; they know the expectation from us.

I picked through all those bins at the recycling plant that I previously mentioned.

There were part in every stage of chroming from rough cast to copper coat to full chrome. Every part had a yellow chalk mark around the defect. On a lot of them I couldn't find the defect at all. Some were obvious but I was really impressed that HD was/is so so picky with their parts.

I found a barrel of shifter drums that looked perfect. I wonder how they test them.

I took a couple buckets full of parts with me that day. I took the ones that I couldn't find the defect including some copper coated parts. Sold this stuff at swap meets for cheap and made some people happy!

 

All the leathers are made in CHINA. Or INDIA. Or TAIWAN. I haven't bought a T-shirt in years, but they're probably made in another third world country.
Right under the 'An American Legend' tag, it sez 'MADE IN CHINA'. I thought we fought in Korea and Viet Nam to beat back the communist hoards, not to treat them as tho they are a DEMOCRACY. Coulda saved a lot of lives.

 

I heard that not even all the assembly is done here anymore not too long ago.

I still love Harley.

I know there are those that say that many Honda's have more American parts on them than the Harley's but, that's not the point really for most traditional bikers.

The point is that most of the traditional motorcycle clubs like the Hell's Angels etc. started right after WWII and, the Harley was the bike everyone got. That STARTED the tradition but, when you have Honda coming out probably about 15yrs after the war ended flooding OUR marketplace with cheaply built underpowered 50cc motorcycles with the catch phrase, "You meet the nicest people on a Honda", that was just too much to take.

To this day, 1%er clubs will ONLY ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. Some clubs will allow only American made motorcycles. Some of the newer clubs will allow most anything but, the traditional clubs are dyed in the wool Harley Davidson.

 

Ask your buddy how much of it HAS to be made in the US before his wife will let him buy one. If he gets stupid, punch him in the face and ask him how much of your fist does he think was made in the US. {salute(

By the way, congrats on your new bike. You should get many great miles of riding from it. They ride nice and look great.

The hardest part of owning a Harley is constantly having to defend your decision to buy a Harley from guys like your buddy and idiots that chime in.

Screw 'em. Enjoy !

 

I replaced the front engine mount on my ultra several weeks ago and found in the harley wrapper the mount came from China. I have heard that allmost all of the transmission parts are made in Korea.

 

Nothing in the parts catalog is U.S.
I like the Nostalgic Bar and Shield air cleaner cover thats stamped "Made In U.S.A. that came out of a box stamped made in Taiwan:beatdh:
As far as how much of your Harley is American Made.....that would depend if you own a V-Rod or not
Valkryes, Goldwings, The Large VTX Honda's were being put together in the U.S. for a while, but just recently, they closed up shop and took them back on their side of the pond, probably so they could charge us more money to import them.
But American, the job you save could be your own.

 

I like the 'concept' of my HD being 100% American, but I like the idea even better of me straddling my Wide Glide than a Suzuki or Honda! I'll never thumb my nose at Harley if they have to outsource some items to keep it affordable for me as long as they keep the quality high and it stays an 'American' bike.

 

When I changed the tire on my deuce I notcied a sticker inside the wheel that said "Made in Austraila". I guess it could have been worse:sofa:

 

Yeh I know that the Fatboy wheels are made is Melbourne (here in Aus). 06 and under wheels anyway, not sure about the 07+ models. Nothing wrong with Aussie made either, except that for you guys it's not the US. I like seeing things made in countries known for quality like Germany, Italy, USA and of course here. I was surprised to see most of the part I have bought for my cam swap are German or Italian.

Every country has their shoddy manufacturers, some have a larger percentage than others (some it seems have 100% shoddy) but as long as the item is of good quality, I'm happy. I know this doesn't solve the American-made issue though.

 

Red ones are made in China.
Blue ones are made in England.
Green ones are made in Scandanavia.

Only the Black ones are made in the U.S.

 

The most important parts are especially the V-Twin

 

Back in 1980 my brother bought a brand spankin new Superglide. He was checking the front fender bolts and thought that he grabbed the wrong wrench and then it sank in that the bolt was metric.

Upon further inspection he saw the Showa logo cast into the fork sliders and was a little surprised and a little pissed at the same time. That was back in 1980 so I know that they've been outsourcing parts for at least that long.

BTW, the drainplug on my Ford truck is 17mm. #Spankme@

 

A Honda is completly assembled in the USA just like the HD...

you HD is probably only 20 to 30 percent American at this point...

Since the early 60's HD was no longer a totaly American product....

Just a thought......HD for a very long time now has not given a crap about quality and has even gone backwards in technology.... (think not...look in the crankcase and see the timken bearing replace with the flat roller brg) .....

And for that matter HD has and will continue to see you things from forgien countries.. (look at your HD acessory lines)...

Now think of this... HD will only use the lowest bidder for an item....
Quality.... not that is truely funny.....

Why do you think that Honda is now outselling HD in the USA.....and has for a few years now....

 

because honda has a broader product range and outsources much more than harley davidson allowing them to build less expensive motorcycles that have at least as many if not more problems than harley davidsons?

 

I read somewhere, and as someone here already mentioned, Honda has pulled, or will pull it GW production out of USA and back to Japan.