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Willie G retires April 30th
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Sure he will still have some type of finger print on the future products. Just not a full time deal since he is in his 70's#7558 Take me on and you take on the whole trailer park! -
Harley never forgets a design... his iconic designs will be around for decades to come.
Just my opinion... but I think he was a master of looking at what 'owners' and enthusiasts were doing themselves. And looking back into HD's history. Then integrating those ideas, trends, details, historical elements, etc. into some really brilliantly-designed packages. FXWG, XLCR, Sturgis, Fatboy, 883, Springer(s), Heritage, etc. etc. etc. Love them or hate them, they were all iconic. Personally, I loved some. Hated others. But all had an impact and there was always something for everyone.
It will be interesting to see whether HD's new chief designer (Does anyone know who it will be?) is going to have the same ability to blend so many elements into a finished product. Because with some companies (BMW cars and Ducati spring to mind), a new designer taking over from a legend can have a really negative impact on the product line.
Cheers,
SirhrComment
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I don't think HDs designs CAN become any narrower in the motorcycle market.......it's a miracle they still survive.Comment
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Now that Willie G. has retired, it would be fitting for him to write a "real" history of what he knows about the Harley-Davidson Co.Eric Smith
AMCA #886Comment
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I asked him what happened to his custom K model.He doesn't know who he sold it to or where it is now.Comment
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Although Willie G. has retired the fact remains that he is a major stockholder in the MoCo. He is not going to do or say anything that will damage his investment.
Here are Willie and John on thier custom K's.
Be sure to visit;
http://www.vintageamericanmotorcycles.com/main.php
Be sure to register at the site so you can see large images.
Also be sure to visit http://www.caimag.com/forum/Comment
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Good old Bill Knuth. He could have told us so much. He was the perfect dealer. A fatherly guy with an easy smile and a pat on the back--but he always steered the conversation back to the business end of things.Originally posted by exeric View Post
Now that Willie G. has retired, it would be fitting for him to write a "real" history of what he knows about the Harley-Davidson Co.
There is no doubt that modern H-D, Inc. owes a great deal to Willie G.
Besides the bikes he had a hand in designing, he also became the living symbol of Harley-Davidson past, present and future. His evolution from a suit and tie wearing straight dude in the 1960s to a bearded, belted and be-leathered biker type by the late 1970s is a real phenomenon. His dad and other factory guys told me a little bit about that. With AMF coming in and the so-called biker ("outlaw") culture taking over, there was a lot of agony around Harley-Davidson at that time. They took a gamble with a new image, but it sure did work well as a marketing tool.Comment
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Herb,
It looks like Ray Drea will be the next in line He is currently the V.P. of styling,Willie will be moving his office down to the H-D Museum and be more involved there.
KenKen S., # 6457
1926- H-D BAF-Peashooter
1954-H-D PanheadComment
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Would that be Willie and JOHN HARLEY ? The other guy whose name is also found on the gas tank but was not good enough to hold a job in the company.
joe
Originally posted by Chris Haynes View PostAlthough Willie G. has retired the fact remains that he is a major stockholder in the MoCo. He is not going to do or say anything that will damage his investment.
Here are Willie and John on thier custom K's.
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No, Willie and his brother John Davidson, former president of H-D.Would that be Willie and JOHN HARLEYRobbie Knight Amca #2736Comment
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I don't blame Willie G. for moving his office down to the Museum as the bikes there are cooler, although not better. Still, the red brick factory on Juneau Avenue has way more ghosts flitting about and no mistake. If there was ever a haunted house, it's that place. It's simply dripping with them. IMO, old Bill Harley and the rest of the gang walk the halls there at midnight.Originally posted by milw.pirates View Post
Note that mention on the Knuth photo of the "Beer City Riders." What a great name for a motorcycle club! I don't know that I've heard that one before. Was that another Knuth sponsored club or something else?
Speaking of clubs, some time ago I found a blurb about the Milwaukee Pirates motorcycle club when they first organized as AMA and your dad was mentioned I think. Do you know the exact year they organized and who the orginal officers were?Comment
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Willie who?Mark Evans
Gloucester, Mass.
849Comment
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Herb,
I have seen the Beer City Riders Memorabilia,but was not able to add to my collection.not known if they were sponsered by Bill Knuth.
The Milwaukee Pirates started some time between 1944-1948.
Buddy and Rollie at one time held the Presidents position in the club.
currently there are only 3 members that are known alive,Buddy,Lucky Eddie and Me.
can you e-mail me the blurb on the Pirates and have you ever seen anything on a pre 30'S club called " Pair-O Dice" M/C out of Milw.?Ken S., # 6457
1926- H-D BAF-Peashooter
1954-H-D PanheadComment
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Milwaukee MC Clubs
We'll have to keep a lookout for more about the Beer City Riders.
The Pair-O-Dice club seems to ring a bell, but I don't have a card in my files on it. I'll make a note tho. You say pre-1930s for that club. What is your source of info on it?
Yes, I will email you blurb on Milwaukee Pirates.
It's great that you are a member! Did the old guys swear you in?
Originally posted by milw.pirates View PostComment
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